Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'sold themselves out' amid Netflix struggles

Fintan Starkey

By Fintan Starkey


Published: 25/01/2026

- 11:30

Updated: 25/01/2026

- 12:25

The royal’s production company held a premiere on Saturday night

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sold themselves out to Netflix, according to a royal author.

The Sussexes signed a multi-year £100million deal with Netflix in 2020 after stepping away from being working royals.


That deal ran out in 2025, and Netflix did re-sign with the couple, but with a watered-down “first-look” deal, which sees Netflix able to pick up any productions the pair make.

Royal author Duncan Larcombe has claimed the duos' commercial struggles may be playing a part in Harry trying to reconcile with his family.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle

Durcan Larcombe believes the Sussexes have 'sold themselves out' with their Netflix deal

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NETFLIX

He claimed: “If they go on to lose all of their Netflix deal, it's going to come as a very bitter blow to them.

“Largely, it's been a success story for them personally since they stepped down as working royals. But if it means selling the family silver, you don't want to get into a situation where you don’t make full money for it.”

Meghan’s recent projects have struggled on Netflix with her festive special of her With Love, Meghan series not cracking the streamer's top 1,000 shows for 2025.

Mr Larcombe continued: “Effectively, they've sold themselves out, but they've run out of truth bombs.

“If they're not making headlines and, more importantly, if viewers are turning off in their droves, then companies like Netflix are ruthless and they're not going to carry them just because they're the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”

While no official confirmation has been made, sources have claimed the lifestyle series will not be renewed for a third season.

Meghan MarkleMeghan Markle's Netflix series is not set to return, according to insiders | GETTY

One insider claimed: "It is not returning as a series. There have been conversations about holiday specials, but there's nothing in the works yet."

The author stated: “They have to figure something out because the number of projects they've announced since they left theUK that have hit the ground and been a success is actually quite small.

“They've had quite a few failures.

“What happened to Meghan's 40x40 initiative? It was released with a big fanfare on her 40th birthday, and we've barely heard a word about it again.”

Meghan’s 40x40 initiative was released for her 40th birthday and the scheme was aimed at helping women return to work after the Covid-19 pandemic, featuring high-profile endorsements from Melissa McCarthy and Meghan herself.

Prince Harry, Meghan MarklePrince Harry and Meghan Markle made a surprise appearance at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday | GETTY

He concluded to The Mirror by stating: “Harry needs to reconcile with family as well because that's where their Netflix deal comes from - it's their access to the Royal Family.”

On Saturday, Meghan and Harry made a surprise appearance at the Sundance Film Festival to see the premiere of their Archewell Productions documentary Girl Scouts.