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Harry and Meghan in Netflix's sights, says streaming firm's chief Harry and Meghan ‘required’ to sacrifice royal roles
(about 5 hours later)
Ted Sarandos confirms interest in Sussexes after palace announced new arrangements Couple were unwilling to allow scrutiny of commercial deals as Netflix confirms interest
Netflix is among global companies eyeing up the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as the couple step into a new future as private individuals, liberated from the monarchy and unfettered by official financial constraints on their commercial deals. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were forced to sacrifice their royal roles for “complete and absolute” freedom from Buckingham Palace financial scrutiny over commercial deals after being told they could not have it both ways.
Hours after Buckingham Palace announced Harry and Meghan would no longer formally represent the Queen, the streaming giant’s chief content officer, Ted Sarandos, said of working with the couple: “Who wouldn’t be interested? Yes, sure.” Prince Harry is preparing to fly out to Canada to join Meghan, and the couple’s son Archie, as they begin independent lives free from any financial oversight from the royal family.
The couple’s soon-to-be new status as non-working royals could see them following the example of the former US first couple Barack and Michelle Obama, who agreed a production deal with Netflix to make TV and film projects. During 10 days of “intense” talks between royals and aides after Harry and Meghan’s bombshell announcement, the issue causing the “angst” was how they could embark on commercial enterprises in order to become “financially independent”, it is understood.
The Sussexes will spend the majority of their time in Canada, with Harry expected to join Meghan and their son Archie there later this week. Netflix is among global companies already eyeing them up. The streaming giant’s chief content officer, Ted Sarandos, said of working with the couple: “Who wouldn’t be interested? Yes, sure.”
The divorce deal, thrashed out over 10 days of turmoil, involved complicated issues, with the Queen demanding solutions be found within days, not weeks. This “necessitated a number of detailed conversations between officials and members of the family”, a source said. Their soon-to-be new status as non-working royals could see them following the example of former US first couple, Barack and Michelle Obama, who agreed a production deal with Netflix to make TV and film projects.
But talks were said to have been “extremely friendly and constructive because the common goal was clear, as was the desire to reach a successful conclusion – everyone was pleased to have got here today”, claimed the source. This is in contrast to the “hurt” and “disappointment” senior royals were said to have felt when the couple unilaterally released their agenda without forewarning the Queen, Prince of Wales, and Duke of Cambridge. The couple were unwilling to subject themselves to any financial scrutiny or review in future contracts they struck. The trade-off was they could not use their HRH styles, though they retain them.
The Queen made her first appearance following the announcement when she was joined by Prince Andrew at St Mary the Virgin church in Norfolk to attend a Sunday service. In another blow they will no longer be able to officially represent the Queen, which they had hoped to continue to do on occasions. That was the “roadmap and vision they would have liked”, according to one source. But the Queen prevailed. The couple was told “You can’t have it both ways” and they chose not to be constrained “by some sort of review process “ by the institution on contracts they signed.
As questions remain over how the Sussexes will choose to live, Meghan’s estranged father, Thomas Markle, has been outspoken in his criticism. Speaking to a Channel 5 documentary, yet to be aired, he reportedly said the couple were in danger of “turning into lost souls” . As questions over their future remain, Meghan’s estranged father, Thomas Markle, has been outspoken in his criticism. Speaking to a Channel 5 documentary, yet to be aired, he said the couple was in danger of “turning into lost souls” .
“They are turning it [royal family] into Walmart with a crown on,” he reportedly said. “They are turning it [the royal family] into Walmart with a crown on,” he said.
Under the arrangement announced on Saturday, the couple will retain their HRH – His and Her Royal Highness – styles, but it is said they will not use them. They will go by Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Under the arrangement announced on Saturday their new titles will be Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. They will repay the £2.4m public funds used to refurbish Frogmore House, their official residence in Windsor, which will largely remain empty as they spend the majority of their time in Canada. They will no longer receive public funding through the Sovereign Grant, although will remain funded privately by the Prince of Wales.
The couple will repay the £2.4m public funds used to refurbish Frogmore House, their official residence in Windsor, which will remain largely empty in the near future as they relocate to Canada. They will pay commercial rent on the property. They will no longer receive public funding through the sovereign grant, although they will remain funded privately by the Prince of Wales.
They will retain their patronages, but Harry, a former soldier, will have to give up his honorary military titles, including that of captain general of the Royal Marines, passed on to him by Prince Philip.They will retain their patronages, but Harry, a former soldier, will have to give up his honorary military titles, including that of captain general of the Royal Marines, passed on to him by Prince Philip.
Crucially, the Sussexes are “required” to step down from royal duties. They had hoped, as previously stated on their sussexroyal.com website, for a half-in half-out role and intended to “continue to carry out duties for Her Majesty” as well as “works for the monarchy within the UK or abroad, as called upon”. However, as is now clear, the Queen will not be calling on their services, though they will still be able to attend family occasions such as Trooping the Colour. Though “required” to step down from royal duties, they will still be able to attend family occasions, such as trooping the colour.
The complexities of mixing commercial deals without tarnishing the reputation of the royal family is clearly thought to have been too great a risk. Already, new video footage showing the couple at the movie premiere of Disney’s Lion King in London is circulating. It shows Harry telling the film’s director, Jon Favreau, that Meghan is available for voiceover work, with Meghan seemingly joking: “That’s really why we’re here – it’s the pitch.” The negotiations are said to have been “friendly”, in contrast to the “hurt” and “disappointment” felt by the Queen, Charles and William over the Sussexes timing of their announcement without forewarning.
The duchess has since struck a deal for voiceover work with Disney, in exchange for a charitable donation. Last year, it emerged Harry is to work with Oprah Winfrey on a documentary on mental health for Apple TV. As they embark on the next chapter, they are said to be “very much feeling their way”. They “understand the parameters” and there will be a period of transition to see if it can work. The commercial model has not worked in the past, most notably with the Earl and Countess of Wessex. This has caused the royal family the most “angst” because a model does not exist yet.
As it stands, the Sussex deal allows the couple financial freedom to trade on their international celebrity though they have said “everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty”. The arrangement will be reviewed in 12 months’ time. Harry had recently been working as an executive co-producer with chat show host Oprah Winfrey on a series about mental health for Apple TV. Meghan has done a voiceover for a Disney nature film with fees going to a conservation charity. This indicates one direction they might travel in.
The Queen, in her personal statement, acknowledged the “intense scrutiny” the couple had endured. The question remains if it will be less intense in North America, where there are broader freedoms over issues such as privacy, and where use of paparazzi photographs is not constrained by the agreed stricter rules of the UK media, drawn up following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. But whether they will escape allegations of cashing in on their status is questionable. Already new video footage, showing the couple at the premiere of Disney’s Lion King in London, is circulating. It shows Harry telling the film’s director Jon Favreau that Meghan is available for voiceover work, with Meghan seemingly joking: “That’s really why we’re here – it’s the pitch.”
Mark Thompson, the CEO of the New York Times and a former BBC director general, said he believed it could be managed, especially if “you’re not saying stuff, you’re not doing the kind of things that the paparazzi and celebrity hounds find interesting, you begin to have a quieter life” . The Queen, in her statement, acknowledged the “intense scrutiny” the couple has been subjected to. The question remains if it will be less intense in North America, where there are broader freedoms over issues such as privacy, and where use of paparazzi photographs is not constrained by the agreed stricter rules of the UK media, drawn up following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
“There are plenty of cases of big movie stars who have done that,” he told the Andrew Marr Show on Sunday. They could hide, and have a better chance of living a quiet life compared with “spending the entire time inside the royal system”, he said. “ I kind of believe that could work for them.” Mark Thompson, CEO of the New York Times, and former BBC director-general, said he believed it could be managed, especially if “you’re not saying stuff, you’re not doing the kind of things that the paparazzi and celebrity hounds find interesting, you begin to have a quieter life”.
“There are plenty of cases of big movie stars who have done that,” he told The Andrew Marr Show. They could hide, and have a better chance of living a quiet life compared to “spending the entire time inside the royal system,” he said. “I kind of believe that could work for them.”
The prime minister, Boris Johnson, said: “I think the whole country will want to join in wishing them the very best for the future.
“As I said before … I was sure the royal family, which has been around a very long time, will find a way forward.”
Buckingham Palace said in its Saturday statement of the couple that “everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty”.