Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's business practices have recently garnered attention from Business Insider, a publication known for its focus on business and financial news. According to Business Insider, Netflix might not have dropped the couple because the proposed shows are relatively inexpensive to produce. A camera crew filming Harry playing polo or Meghan cooking in the kitchen wouldn't require a significant investment. The productivity prospects here are better because Harry and Meghan won't need to do much except be themselves. Harry wouldn't need to come up with podcast concepts, which he reportedly struggled with on Spotify. He just has to ride a horse. Perhaps Netflix sees the potential in maintaining their association with the Sussexes, especially if more drama unfolds within the royal family.
Recent developments, however, suggest a different story. Meghan's recent silence after the cooking show announcement and Netflix's involvement hints that she may have been advised to tone down her activities. According to Paula M on YouTube, Meghan stormed out of a Netflix meeting during an argument about purchasing the rights to a book. Netflix clarified that they, not Meghan and Harry, purchased the rights to "Meet Me at the Lake."
Meanwhile, Harry has been criticized for producing unrelatable Netflix shows about polo. Netflix had originally signed a series deal for four or five projects, one of which was supposed to be a holistic show tied to a book. However, it seems like Meghan and Harry might be struggling to find their niche on screen. Lady Victoria Hervey told GB News, "Maybe she's a good cook, let's see, but I think Harry's polo life—I can see people being interested in that bird's eye view, but it's not like it's a sport that's so universal that a lot of people play." Netflix is reportedly concerned that Meghan and Harry are focusing on projects not related to their contract with the streaming platform.
Netflix has invested a significant sum—$100 million—in the Sussexes, and they expect returns. Royal expert Michael Cole emphasized this, saying, "They don't give away all that money for nothing." He added that Prince Harry's polo series and Meghan's lifestyle series won't be shot at their home but at a nearby house. One of the ways they're earning their living is by selling themselves, leveraging their unique selling point—their royal status. However, this comes at a cost, as maintaining their lifestyle, especially security, is a significant expense.
