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Sky News AU
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'Cup in hand': King Charles III 'cautious and wary' of Prince Harry's reconciliation push as $100m Netflix deal with Meghan Markle teeters - and one detail that's still 'missing' ahead of truce
King Charles III is reportedly growing "wary" of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, with royal insiders suggesting there may be an ulterior motive behind the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's reconciliatory overtures. The pair, who famously stepped back from royal duties in 2020, have remained distant from the Royal Family ever since. But earlier this month, signs of a possible thaw emerged, with Harry's communications team spotted in London meeting with the King's communications secretary. It's also been reported that Harry, 40, has invited his father to attend the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. However, the monarch is said to be approaching any family reunion with extreme caution, particularly as reports swirl that the couple's $100 million Netflix deal is at risk following a series of poorly performing projects. Royal commentator Samara Gill told The Royal Report on Sunday she didn't blame the King for being sceptical of Harry's recent overtures. "The reports are saying King Charles is cautious and wary of Prince Harry's attempts to reconcile," Gill said. "I don't blame the King, and that's a nice way of putting it for the hell that that man has been put through by Harry and Meghan." Gill said the timing of the olive branch was suspect: "I just think the money is drying up for Harry, and he's coming back, cup in hand to the King and wanting reconciliation." She also referred to comments made by former royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter, who insisted that Harry "needs to apologise before he can even think of reconciling with the King". "That's what's missing here, an apology," Gill said. "And I don't think that Harry, with his victim complex, is going to come out with one anytime soon." Sky News contributor Louise Roberts added fuel to the fire, telling The Royal Report that she's heard the Sussexes' Netflix deal is on the chopping block. "By September, the Netflix deal is no more. It will expire, it will not be renewed," she said. "And it's no surprise, because the value of Meghan and Harry is their proximity to the Royal Family. Once they'd exhausted that 'Tell All' whinge fest, their value plummeted." Roberts credited Netflix for their early success with the Harry & Meghan docuseries, still the platform's highest-performing documentary of all time, but said their subsequent solo projects lacked impact. "Netflix played their cards well by getting the Sussexes to do their story," she said. "But they were foolish to allow them to then do their own series, which hasn't really played out that well." Roberts said the pair would now need to branch out beyond Netflix if they wanted to continue in the entertainment space, an expensive proposition without studio backing. Despite the swirling speculation, a source from Netflix told The Mail on Sunday that a new deal is still being negotiated. "Netflix again have been very canny here, because they've agreed to a 'first look' deal," Roberts said. "That means if Harry and Meghan do actually produce something else worth watching, Netflix will get first dibs". It's also believed the second season of With Love, Meghan, filmed straight after season one, is already in the pipeline and will air later this year. Another insider told The Mail that Netflix's existing investment in the 43-year-old former actress' lifestyle brand As Ever makes it unlikely the company will walk away completely. "Netflix is a listed company, so they can't confirm anything officially yet," the source said. "But that deal is not dead. Netflix are an equity partner in As Ever, so they were unlikely to drop Meghan. It would be like punching yourself in the face not to sign a new deal." However, Gill remains doubtful about the Sussexes' future with Netflix- until now one of their main sources of income funding their lavish lifestyle in Montecito, California. "I don't think there's a future here, and I think the one issue Harry and Meghan will have in the near future is money," she said. "I think that their lifestyle is extremely, extremely expensive, and with these deals very quickly drying up, I just don't know. "… There aren't that many pots of jam you can sell to fund that lifestyle."
Sky News AU
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Prince Harry to meet with King Charles for peace talks 'within weeks' as Prince William completely erased from secret discussions
Prince Harry could finally meet with King Charles for peace talks "within weeks", but Prince William is said to be completely erased from the reconciliation plans. The Duke of Sussex, 40, is ready to speak with his father after approving the peace summit meeting between their royal aides, The Sun reported. It comes as Buckingham Palace recently agreed to a proposal for an "open channel of communication" between Harry and Charles, according to the publication. Harry's chief communications officer, Meredith Maines, and UK-based PR representative Liam Maguire were on Wednesday photographed meeting with the King's top aide, Communications Secretary Tobyn Andreae, at the Royal Over-Seas League, just around the corner from Clarence House. 'The meeting was with Harry's blessing," a source told The Sun. Talks were reportedly centred around forging a path toward ending the longstanding family conflict between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family. A proposal for Harry to return to life as a working royal was not made, and the Prince of Wales's team was notably not included. It's understood Harry's team made no contact with William prior to the discussion, and an invitation for the face-to-face meeting was not sent. In the wide-ranging conversation, Harry and the King's aides reportedly mapped out a way to avoid media clashes and scheduling conflicts. Harry is next due to travel to the UK in September for the WellChild Awards in London, with the King expected to be in Balmoral at the time. The Duke's ever-likely reconciliation with his father marks a major milestone in the convoluted royal family feud. Harry in May confirmed he was no longer on speaking terms with the royals in a rogue interview, telling the BBC: "The King won't speak to me'. In the same interview, the renegade royal nevertheless openly declared he "would love a reconciliation" with his family. Speaking to Sky News Australia's The Royal Report on Sunday, entertainment reporter said Harry's BBC interview was likely motivation for the aide meeting to occur just weeks later. "It perhaps served as that impetus for them to all get together," Coy said. "(To) get in the same room and start saying, 'How are we going to end this for good?'" Harry and Meghan Markle elaborated on their issues with the royal family during their 2021 Oprah Winfrey Netflix series in which they claimed to have been mistreated by the firm. The Wales' five years later reportedly opted not to tell the Sussexes about Kate's cancer diagnosis until shortly before the public for fear Harry and Meghan would leak the news. has contacted Buckingham Place and the Sussexes representatives for comment.
Sky News AU
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'The first real concrete steps we've seen': Top aides to Prince Harry and King Charles III meet in secret London 'peace summit'
After years of public estrangement, Prince Harry and King Charles III may finally be inching towards reconciliation, with their senior aides spotted holding a private meeting in London. On Wednesday, the Duke of Sussex's new chief communications officer, Meredith Maines, and UK-based PR rep Liam Maguire were photographed meeting with the King's top aide, Communications Secretary Tobyn Andreae, at the Royal Over-Seas League, just around the corner from Clarence House. The meeting, first revealed by The Mail on Sunday, reportedly had "no formal agenda" but there were "things both sides wanted to talk about". It remains unclear who initiated the olive branch, but royal insiders say the casual sit-down is the most promising development yet in the years-long rift between Harry and the Royal Family. "There's a long road ahead, but a channel of communication is now open for the first time in years," a source told the outlet. Maines, who joined Team Sussex in March, was behind Harry's May BBC interview, where he openly declared he "would love a reconciliation" with his family. Just a month later, the Sussexes made major staffing changes, parting ways with six team members, including two of their in-house PR leads, US deputy press secretary Kyle Boulia and UK press officer Charlie Gipson. Speaking to Sky News Australia's The Royal Report on Sunday, contributor Bronte Coy described the latest meeting as a meaningful shift. "Of course, we've talked so much about whether a reconciliation will be possible over the many, many years this rift has been going on," the entertainment reporter told host Caroline Di Russo. "But there are actually now photos of it happening." Coy said the meeting marks "the first real concrete step towards some sort of reconciliation being met." She also pointed to the timing- just weeks after Harry's BBC interview- as likely motivation. "It perhaps served as that impetus for them to all get together, get in the same room and start saying, 'How are we going to end this for good?'" Coy said. Maines, who was in the UK to meet with her London-based team for the first time, reportedly flew back to the US following the summit and debriefed the Duke directly on "the tone of the meeting". News Corp columnist Angela Mollard noted that Tobyn Andreae, who now serves as Communications Secretary to both King Charles and Queen Camilla, was once an executive editor at The Mail on Sunday. "Now, the fact that this has been seen, there are photographs of them meeting… It speaks volumes," Mollard said. "I can't believe it's out there… There's someone there (at the Mail on Sunday) who wants to drive home the message that they are now looking at talking." The royal thaw comes as Harry prepares to host the next Invictus Games in Birmingham in 2027, with sources suggesting his family will be "very much welcome" at the event. "It's obviously linked," Mollard said. "What Harry's team are saying is that the Royals are always welcome at the Invictus Games, and it's super important to him to have members of the family there." has contacted both Maines and Andreae for comment.
Sky News AU
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'You'd think they'd go first for the edible flower arranger': Harry and Meghan slammed for 'insane' decision to let go of PR team and six other staff members as couple rein in spending
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly let go of several staff members, including their key communications personnel, in an effort to save some money. The Sussexes parted ways with six employees in June, including their two in-house PR reps, US-based deputy press secretary Kyle Boulia and UK press officer Charlie Gipson, according to Page Six. Speaking on Sky News Australia, contributor Louise Roberts said the shake-up appears to come down to "cash concerns". "Despite the fact that they live in this huge mansion and they got a big wad of cash from Spotify, Netflix, and everything else, apparently they're having to count the pennies," Roberts said. "And they've got rid of their comms team, which is just insane- you'd think they'd go first for the edible flower arranger. "Surely their role is limited to an extent, whereas their comms person is rather critical." Page Six reports that since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan have now cycled through at least 25 staff members, with some of those exits yet to be publicly revealed. "The Sussexes cycle through staff as quickly as normal people cycle through toilet paper," a source told the outlet. "They're going through them like knickers," The Royal Report host Caroline Di Russo added. The latest departures come despite the former royals bringing on board Meredith Kendall Maines as their new Chief Communications Officer earlier this year. A source familiar with the couple's inner workings told HELLO! in June, "Something tells me there will be another change in the future. Meghan and Harry have hired some of the most incredible people at the top of their fields, yet somehow none of them ever work out." Harry and Meghan, who live in a USD $27 million mansion in Montecito, California, have spent the past few years building their brand through a range of high-profile media deals. Their tie-ups with Netflix and Spotify reportedly brought in tens of millions, with hits like their 'Harry & Meghan' docuseries and lifestyle show 'With Love, Meghan', which coincided with the launch of the former actress' lifestyle brand As Ever. However, other projects such as Heart of Invictus and Polo drew far less buzz, and Netflix is now said to be favouring "first-look" deals over sweeping multi-million-dollar contracts, meaning any renewal with the couple could come with a lower price tag. That may pose a challenge for the pair, who are believed to face a mounting list of expenses, from a USD$2 million annual security bill to the upkeep of their Archewell Foundation, production companies, and staff at their sprawling Montecito estate. Property records show they took out a USD$9.5 million mortgage on their home, to be repaid by 2050, and are also on the hook for annual property taxes totalling around USD$288,000. It's understood the Sussexes also personally fund a portion of their self-styled "quasi-royal tours" which have included visits to Nigeria and Colombia. They've also faced mounting legal bills from various court cases, including Prince Harry's recent legal battle over his UK security arrangements- a fight that has reportedly cost both him and British taxpayers a combined USD $2.7 million, according to the Daily Mail. The Duke is expected to shoulder a significant share of the cost, potentially as much as USD $1.9 million. has contacted the Sussexes' representatives for comment.
Sky News AU
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Former Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe slammed as 'a disgrace' to Australia after 'egregiously' flipping off Buckingham Palace in provocative social media post
Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has caused fresh controversy after sharing photos of herself making a rude gesture outside Buckingham Palace. The 51-year-old former Greens senator posted several images to social media on Friday showing her standing outside the gates of the royal residence, holding the Aboriginal flag and raising her middle finger. She also wore a "Blak Sovereign Movement" T-shirt. "Dropped by to collect all the stuff this lot stole, but Charlie wasn't in," she captioned the post. It's understood Thorpe, a proud Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman, was in London this week to attend a conference. Her post quickly drew mixed reactions, with some critics questioning whether her trip was taxpayer-funded. "Who paid for your trip?" one user asked, while another wrote: "Do you know you don't speak for Australia. We actually can't stand you, I personally look forward to your term ending in the Senate!" Others praised Thorpe's actions, calling her "Queen" and applauding the gesture. "The only Queen I'll ever recognise!" one user commented. On Sunday, the stunt was blasted by News Corp columnist and Sky News contributor Angela Mollard during The Royal Report. "She's in England at the moment, she's gone to Buckingham Palace, and outside of it, she's held up a flag, and she's egregiously put up the middle finger to the King," Mollard told host Caroline Di Russo. "She is a disgrace to this country, honestly." Mollard said she had "done a deep dive" to determine whether the Melbourne-based politician was in the UK on any official business. "Of course she has the right, like anybody has, for freedom of speech," she said. "But if she's there for any meeting, any tax-paid funded part of that trip- I'm presuming it's a private trip- then she needs to be hauled over the coals for this." Mollard also referenced Thorpe's previous clash with King Charles III during his visit to Australia with Queen Camilla last year, when Thorpe interrupted a reception at Parliament House, shouting: "You are not our king. You are not sovereign." Just moments before, the 76-year-old monarch had delivered a speech praising Australia. Thorpe was removed from the event by security and later censured by the Australian parliament in a 46 to 12 vote condemning her conduct as "disruptive and disrespectful". Reflecting on that moment, Mollard said: "Last year when that happened in parliament, I was on air all day in the UK doing television and radio crosses because the Northern Hemisphere could not believe we would have someone of that note in a public setting like that screaming at the King." She added that Thorpe's latest stunt may only strengthen public support for the royal family. "So every time she does something like this, it drives the populous to think, 'Well, she's nuts, and actually, we quite like the royal family'- they do lots of service, King Charles has been there for 76 years, he's coping with cancer and he still turns up for multiple things during the week. "She's the one who looks silly." Di Russo added that the "wild irony" was that Thorpe had to pledge allegiance to the King in order to become a senator. has contacted Senator Thorpe for further comment.
