Netflix could axe Meghan Markle and Prince Harry deal early after expensive flop
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry might be dropped on Netflix
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Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan Markle, 42, signed a lucrative deal with Netflix soon after they moved to America and stepped down as working members of the Royal Family in 2020.
However, the deal could be axed, according to a royal expert, once season six of The Crown is released later this year.
Season six will be the final set of episodes of the popular streaming show, which first aired in 2016 starring Claire Foy and Matt Smith as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, respectively.
However, the final season will focus more on the death of Diana, Princess of Wales and the early romance between Prince William and Princess Kate as university students.
WATCH: Harry and Meghan open up about the Royal Family on Netflix
The Crown's popularity has coincided with growing interest in the younger generation of royals over the last few years, but there are fears that once the show is over, this curiosity will come to a halt.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have had hits and misses with Netflix. Their first project, the documentary series Harry & Meghan, was a huge streaming success.
However, the Harry's Heart of Invictus has struggled to reach the same amount of viewers and looks set to be considered an expensive flop for Netflix.
Meghan's animated series Pearl was pulled by the streamer due to cutbacks.
Meghan and Harry signed Netflix deals in 2020
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Spotify deals were axed
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Harry and Meghan reportedly still have two years to produce content under their Netflix contract, but royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams believes it could end sooner.
Fitzwilliams told The Express: "There is no doubt that the termination of their contract with Spotify was a blow for the Sussexes.
"Their Netflix contract, which is worth $100 million (£80.7 million), does not expire until 2025, but once the last series of The Crown has aired, the streaming giant may have less use for them.
"A good deal depends on how successfully they adapt the romantic novel, Meet Me at the Lake.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's docuseries was successful
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"Although it contained courageous stories, Harry’s recent docuseries for Netflix, Heart of Invictus, has not been the hit that was hoped, almost certainly due to its excessive five-hour length."
If Netflix did decide to cut ties with the Sussexes it would not be the only streaming platform that ended its contract with the royals earlier than expected.
This led to them being labelled "grifters" by one of their executives.