Insider reveals how Harry and Meghan really feel about major Netflix announcement

News.com.au

2 days ago

IN LONDON
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are 'over the moon' to have inked a new Netflix deal, but it comes amid a challenging period for Prince Harry.
The couple confirmed their 'first-look' deal on Monday, which – unlike their previous multi-million-dollar, exclusive agreement – gives the streaming giant the opportunity to view and potentially buy any future productions before they are shopped around to other studios.
It's understood to be worth significantly less than the contract Harry and Meghan signed back in 2020 – but a source close to the couple told news.com.au that they were 'thrilled' with the arrangement, given the dramatically-changed streaming landscape.
'Where Netflix was five years ago is a very different place to where it is today. Obviously, five years ago there was the pandemic and the way they operated as a business was different – they paid people for exclusivity,' the insider pointed out.
'Now the landscape has changed so [Harry and Meghan] are thrilled to have been signed on for another deal.'
Questions after Meghan statement
In the initial deal, both the duke and duchess were actively involved in a number of projects, with their tentpole production being the 2022 ratings hit docu-series, Harry and Meghan. However, other shows struggled to find an audience, including Harry's Heart of Invictus and his most recent solo show, Polo, which was released last year.
Meghan's own individual offering, With Love, Meghan, premiered in March to plenty of fanfare – and while the reviews were less than favourable, it was quickly renewed for season two with Netflix even joining her online food brand, As Ever, as a commercial partner.
Given that, the fact it was only Meghan quoted in the new Netflix deal announcement raised plenty of eyebrows – but a source close to the pair confirmed to news.com.au that Harry is 'definitely still involved'.
'Harry is definitely still involved in the production side of [Archewell]. He'll continue to be involved into the future,' the insider said.
'Last week was a really difficult week with all the Sentebale stuff, but he's moving on. He's really excited about what potentially he could do in Lesotho and Botswana, he's excited about the new deal on Netflix, he's looking forward to the future and what's coming down the line.'
Harry 'really upset': source
With the Netflix negotiations quietly underway behind the scenes in recent weeks, Harry has also been dealing with the fallout of the controversy surrounding the charity he co-founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.
Sentebale, established in 2006 in honour of their late mothers, supports children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana, particularly those affected by HIV/AIDS.
The princes – along with the board of trustees – stepped down from their positions with the charity earlier this year amid an irreparable relationship breakdown with its chair, Sophie Chandauka.
The dramatic internal conflict resulted in a public war of words between both camps, and triggered an investigation by the charity watchdog, which released its findings last week.
While there was no evidence of 'widespread or systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir at the charity', as had been alleged, and also no evidence of 'overreach by either the chair or the Duke of Sussex as patron'.
Nonetheless, Harry is 'really upset' over the whole saga, a source close to him revealed.
'He put his blood, sweat and tears and a huge amount of his own personal finances into [Sentebale] over 20 years,' they said.
There was a huge amount of investment by him, and then in 2023, Ms Chandauka came in and basically committed a hostile takeover of the charity.'
It's been widely reported that Harry is now considering setting up a new charity to provide assistance in the region, but the insider insisted it's still 'just an option' at this stage.
'He's keeping all of his options open. Whether that's starting a new charity or doing work to support existing charities in the region operating in that sector, no decisions have been made,' the source said.
'One thing he will continue to do is support the children of Bostwana and Lesotho.'
Back in March, Harry and Seeiso had released a statement saying they were 'in shock' and 'truly heartbroken' to be stepping down.
'What's transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this,' the statement read.
'With heavy hearts, we have resigned for our roles as patrons of the organisation until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees.
'It is devastating that the relationship between the charity's trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair.'
Chandauka then hit back, claiming they had unsuccessfully tried to force her out because she 'dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir – and the cover-up that ensued'.
Following the release of the watchdog's findings, Harry's spokesman said the damage to Sentebale had already been done.
'Unsurprisingly, the Commission makes no findings of wrongdoing in relation to Sentebale's Co-Founder and former Patron, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex,' a statement to Page Six read.
'They also found no evidence of widespread bullying, harassment or misogyny and misogynoir at the charity, as falsely claimed by the current Chair.
'Despite all that, their report falls troublingly short in many regards, primarily the fact that the consequences of the current Chair's actions will not be borne by her — but by the children who rely on Sentebale's support.'
Meanwhile, Chandauka, who remains as head of the charity, insisted they 'are emerging not just grateful to have survived, but stronger'.