Skip To...
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are compelled to foster deal renewal with Netflix as their multi-year contract nears its end. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a $100 million deal with the streaming giant in 2021, following their official step back from their royal duties and journey to California to begin a new life. As part of this deal, the two have released a handful of projects including the highly successful Harry & Meghan, The Heart of Invictus, Live to Lead, Polo, and Meghan’s cooking show, With Love, Meghan. None of these projects have performed as highly as the docuseries about their love story and escape from royal life. This has led to speculations that Netflix may be rethinking its deal with Harry and Meghan.
There appears to be a shift from this perspective in the wake of Meghan Markle’s cooking show release on Netflix. With the deal’s expiration right around the corner, royal experts are weighing in on the Sussexes’ Netflix future. Royal commentator Richard Fitzgerald shared his thoughts during an interview with GB News, painting Prince Harry and Meghan’s Netflix deal renewal as a necessity for the couple, rather than a choice, to ensure the continuous comfort and sustenance of their Californian lifestyle. The expert told the outlet,
“They have to get Netflix and have to keep them on board.”
Harry and Meghan Likely to Score New Netflix Deal
Like many who had a shift in opinion this past month, Fitzgerald believes Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will likely score a deal renewal with Netflix in the wake of the duchess’ cooking show With Love, Meghan. However, this new contract would most likely have an unfavorable clause attached. He divulged,
“I think they will get something from Netflix in the future, that seems to be the sign because the head of content at Netflix appeared to be appreciating their efforts in statements so that does imply that something is going to continue with Netflix.”
The royal commentator explained that this new deal would be a far cry from their initial $100 million (£80m), which kept the couple on board with Netflix in the last five years. Fitzgerald added,
“Whatever contract comes up, it appears there’s going to be some sort of continuation but it might be peanuts compared to £80m. Certainly, for the Sussexes, it is far from encouraging.”
Harry’s Visa Row Threatens His American Dreams
This glimpse into their Netflix future comes as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle scored another major victory this week, as DHS made a favorable ruling in the case spun around the Duke’s US visa application. Notably, the conservative group Heritage Foundation sued the Department of Homeland Security in 2024, demanding the public release of Harry’s visa application records and immigration documents. The group believes the Duke lied about his drug use in his applications, as the admission could have potentially thwarted his chances of scoring a US visa following his marriage to Meghan Markle.
Their efforts followed Prince Harry’s admission to using illicit substances like cocaine and marijuana recreationally in his book, Spare. A redacted version of documents related to the Duke’s US visa was unsealed this week following an order by US judge Carl Nichols. A Department of Homeland Security official explained the reason behind the heavy redactions, arguing that the release of such information would “potentially expose the individual to harm from members of the public.”
Prince Harry May Still Face Deportation Despite Favorable Ruling
Although this version had several pages illegible and made no disclosure of Harry’s immigration status, a DHS lawyer declared that the 40-year-old’s visa application followed all the “applicable rules and regulations.” However, the regulation in question remains unclear to many, as the redacted document failed to reveal the one fact the public had an interest in: Whether Prince Harry ticked “Yes” or “No” when asked about his past drug use. If proven that he ticked the latter, lying about his drug history, the exiled prince may face deportation to the UK. On the other hand, choosing “yes” would suggest the Duke received special royal treatment from the administration, which is an equally undesirable outcome.
Heritage Foundation remains unwilling to let it go despite getting its hands on the redacted version of the document and the confirmation that the Prince did not go against US regulations. A legal representative threatened to keep pursuing the case, with more legal proceedings “in the near future” until they uncover the truth. For Harry, this truth may mean an end to his American dream and Netflix adventure, which could potentially cause him to bid farewell to his California home and return to the UK he fled, tails between his legs. Should his American wife refuse to make this walk of shame with him along with their kids if he gets deported, it could potentially spell the end of their marriage and scandalous love story.
