Latest news with #DuchessofSussex
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The exact high street and designer fashion buys both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle have in their wardrobes revealed
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex may have distinct personal style, but over the years, they've shown a surprising overlap in their fashion choices. Both women have become global icons in their own right - Kate for her polished elegance and Meghan for her modern sophistication. Yet, despite their differing fashion reputations, there have been multiple occasions where they've worn strikingly similar, if not identical, pieces. Think classic striped shirts and sleek court shoes - timeless staples both royals swear by. The best part? You can shop their go-to looks right now. Ralph Lauren Collection striped shirt During a recent visit to the RHS Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital, Kate brought back her Blazé Milano blazer and cigarette trousers, styling them with a fresh addition: a Ralph Lauren Collection striped shirt in white and camel tones. Meghan had previously sported the same design in blue and white when she attended the 2018 Wimbledon Ladies' Singles Final alongside Kate. Meghan's exact shirt is still available to buy, while a linen iteration delivers a summer-ready twist on Kate's. Meghan's Ralph Lauren Collection Capri Striped Cotton Shirt £570 Shop Ralph Lauren Collection Capri Striped Linen Shirt £740 Shop Strathberry bags Both Kate and Meghan have a soft spot for Strathberry, the Edinburgh-based luxury leather goods label. Kate favours smaller designs, having carried four styles to date: the Mosaic Nano Bag and three versions of the Multrees Chain Wallet. Most recently, she opted for the vanilla-hued wallet for the Order of the Garter, pairing it with a coordinating Self-Portrait dress. Meghan leans towards roomier silhouettes, often choosing the Midi Tote with Strathberry's signature bar closure. in bottle green, which is still available to buy. Castañer espadrille wedges Castañer wedges are another shared style favourite of the two royal women. Since 2019, Kate has elevated more than a dozen looks with her trusty Carina 80 wedges in brown suede - from a royal tour of the Bahamas to a day at the Chelsea Flower Show. Meghan opts for the black version, featuring the same canvas fabric, a 3-inch jute wedge heel and wider ankle ties. She famously packed them for her 2019 tour of Africa with Harry, pairing them with a patterned Mayamiko dress and a sky blue shirt dress by Veronica Beard. Fortunately, both versions are available to buy, but they're guaranteed to sell out. Mother Dazzler jeans Kate often turns to jeans for relaxed royal outings. In October 2023, she debuted Mother's Dazzler Jeans in the 'Now Or Never' deep indigo wash, rewearing them the following month. Meghan appeared to follow suit in her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, wearing the same style in a lighter blue wash with a printed sweatshirt for a gardening scene. Kate's jeans may have sold out, but you can snag a pair in the new indigo wash, 'Chip on my Shoulder' - plus Meghan's exact style. Meghan's Mother Mid Rise Dazzler Jeans in We the Animals £261 Shop Mother Mid Rise Dazzler Jeans in Chip on my Shoulder £281 Shop Veja trainers Kate is a dedicated fan of Veja's gold Esplar trainers, wearing them at least ten times in public - from the Big Coronation Lunch to a family video marking the end of her chemotherapy treatment. Meghan has shown her support for the brand too, choosing the V-10 trainers during the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney. The monochrome design was created to celebrate Veja's 10th anniversary of sustainable footwear. Both styles are brand staples, delivering a clean, versatile aesthetic that pairs with everything from smart tailoring to casual weekend looks. Aquazzura court shoes Meghan's love affair with Aquazzura began in 2014, well before meeting Prince Harry. She has worn the brand's shoes publicly on 36 occasions, with the Bow Tie Pumps (previously named Deneuve) being a clear favourite - she owns them in black, navy, pink and taupe. Kate later added the same style to her wardrobe, picking up blush and black versions. She has worn them for standout moments, such as the 2021 G7 Summit Reception, the 2023 pre-Coronation lunch at Buckingham Palace, and the National Portrait Gallery reopening later that year. With their sleek cut out design, tie detailing and sky-high stiletto, these shoes are an instant show-stopper. Alexander McQueen blazer Kate is a devoted fan of Alexander McQueen's tailored suits, instantly recognisable for their signature slanted pockets that create a flattering, waist-defining shape. Her extensive collection includes multiple versions in pastel pink, navy, and ivory, often styled as part of chic trouser suits worn on countless occasions. It's little wonder the brand's suits have found also found a place in Meghan's wardrobe. She has worn the black Grain de Poudre two-piece three times - most notably at the 2019 Endeavour Fund Awards at Goldsmith's Hall. Currently available in classic navy, this timeless suit blends luxe fabrics with impeccable detailing, ensuring it will remain a favourite for years to come. Ralph Lauren court shoes Ralph Lauren's Celia court shoes have secured a place in both royal wardrobes - albeit in different colours. Kate owns them in classic black leather and versatile camel, while Meghan's collection includes olive and brown suede versions. Both royals have worn the style on notable occasions. Meghan debuted the olive pair at Prince Louis' christening and sported the brown version during the Invictus Games in both 2022 and 2025. Kate has worn her camel pair eight times, including four appearances this year alone - making them a must-have in our book.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Meghan's perfect Instagram image falls as fans spot insect crawling on her cookies in posed up video
Meghan Markle has shared another aesthetic video to promote her lifestyle brand As ever - but royal fans soon spotted a slightly disturbing detail. The Duchess of Sussex, 44, this week released the new trailer for the second season of her Netflix show - With Love, Meghan - as well as sharing photos and videos displaying a selection of homemade treats made using ingredients from her brand. In one video, shared as a story to her Instagram account @aseverofficial, Meghan could be seen making a cup of tea next to a plate of shortbread cookies with jam and flower sprinkles alongside sprigs of foliage. But as eagle-eyed royal fans shared the clip to social media, they soon noticed what appeared to be a tiny insect crawling around near a flower cookie at the bottom of the plate. The bug could be seen moving around the biscuits for a few seconds, before disappearing from view. One person wrote on X/ Twitter: 'There's literally a BUG crawling around on the plate! You think Meghan would notice this BEFORE posting!' Another added: 'Ewwww! I see it.' A third said: 'OMG…there IS a bug! I had to look really hard but it is definitely there!' while a fourth noted: 'Oh my god there is a creepy crawly on the plate.' Others noted that while insects are to be expected when eating outside in the summer, especially with homemade goods, it was more surprising that it could still be spotted in the Instagram brand photos. One person said: 'When I serve biscuits in the garden, something like that can happen quickly. But when I'm filming to publish, I check every little detail.' Another added: 'It most likely came from the greenery she elevated the table with.' The clip is no longer available to view on the As ever Instagram account as stories expire after 24 hours. The team also posted a similar photograph to their permanent feed, again featuring cookies with flower sprinkles. It was captioned: 'The As ever team getting creative in the kitchen with our shortbread cookie mix, flower sprinkles, and delicious fruit spreads. Perfect for tea time…or anytime.' The new trailer for With Love, Meghan was released on Tuesday and showed Meghan hosting a fresh batch of celebrities and influencers at the rented California house close to her and Prince Harry's Montecito mansion. With Love, Meghan was renewed for a second season just as season one was released in March. All the episodes were filmed at the same time, it is understood. Guests on season two will include Chrissy Teigen and Jamie Kern Lima, the trailer revealed. In the one-minute, 27-second teaser, Meghan is seen eating cheese, prepping snacks and drinks with friends and even reveals the food her husband Prince Harry doesn't like. 'Do you know who doesn't like lobster? My husband,' she says as she prepares the seafood. As the trailer comes to an end, Meghan reveals: 'I love these moments of discovery and beauty. So let's be curious together.' Meghan's lifestyle show failed to break into Netflix 's top 300 programmes for the first half of 2025 and was even thrashed by multiple seasons of Suits. The numbers watching were 'dismal', an insider at the streamer reportedly said. Meghan has also filmed a Christmas special for broadcast in December, in a potential clash with the Princess of Wales ' annual carol concert at Westminster Abbey. The first series showed the former Suits star, 44, inviting friends and famous guests to a California estate, where she shared cooking, gardening and hosting tips. But it was panned by many reviewers who called it 'sensationally absurd and trite' with the Duchess of Sussex called 'tone-deaf' and punting a show that 'vibrates with vacuous joylessness'. Meghan in the new trailer for the second season of her lifestyle and cooking show In the one-minute, 27-second teaser, Meghan is seen eating cheese, prepping food and drink with friends and even reveals the food her husband Prince Harry doesn't like: lobster It has an IMDB rating of 3.2 out of 10 and a 38% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicates that the TV show is considered 'rotten'. Meghan was also lampooned for putting pretzels from the packet into a plastic bag, chiding one guest for using Markle as her surname instead of Sussex and one viewer threatened to sue claiming her recipe for homemade bath salts burned her skin. Meanwhile, outraged fans criticised the Duchess and Netflx after it was revealed American model Chrissy Teigen is among the guests on the second season of With Love, Meghan. Her inclusion has cast a shadow over the second installment of With Love, Meghan - even before its release - after social media users highlighted the former Sports Illustrated model's bullying row. In 2021, John Legend 's wife Chrissy faced severe backlash after abusive tweets by the star - dating back to 2011 - resurfaced online. In one, she told then-16-year-old Courtney Stodden - who identifies as they/them - to kill themselves. While the star has since apologised, it appeared fans have yet to fully forgive Chrissy for the disparaging tweets towards Courtney after they spotted her laughing and joking in the kitchen with Prince Harry's wife. The appearance of Chrissy in the show is all the more baffling, given Meghan's propensity to distance herself from pals who find themselves at the centre of controversy. Despite the bullying controversy, however, Chrissy has been close with the Duchess, especially after the Sussexes relocated to California in 2020. Now, her cameo on the forthcoming season of With Love, Meghan has called their friendship into question after several people highlighted how the Duchess has championed for stricter online safety regulations while speaking out against cyberbullying. Last October, Meghan reportedly described herself as being 'one of them most bullied people in the world' during a meeting with teenage girls at the youth leadership organisation Girls Inc in Santa Barbara. Earlier that year in August, Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation launched the Parents' Network in support of 'parents who have first-hand knowledge of the pain and destruction caused by social media use '. Netflix viewers highlighted the irony of roping in Chrissy, who said she was 'ashamed and completely embarrassed' by the tweets in her public apology to Courtney, for the show helmed by Meghan - who has consistently spoken out about children's digital safety. 'She advocates against online bullying then has Chrissy Teigen it make sense Netflix,' one X user wrote. Another message read: 'How can Meghan Markle associate with Chrissy Teigen, a self-confessed online bully and troll who purports to suport the Parents Network who are campaigning against this very thing?' 'This round may destroy her,' one X user added. 'Chrissy Teigen guests this season. WTF thought she was a good idea?' A similar comment read: 'You couldn't make it up, I wonder if it will help support the parents of the people Chrissy Teigen has bullied?' 'How do you have a charity for the parents of children who took their lives due to social media bullying but be besties with Chrissy Teigen and feature her in your show? I'm truly baffled.' Courtney incurred relentless bullying both publicly and in private from Chrissy, who tweeted at the then-teen in 2011: 'My Friday fantasy: you. dirt nap. mmmmmm baby', followed by: 'go. to sleep. forever.' Old tweets from 2013 have also resurfaced in which she described nine-year-old Oscar nominee Quvenzhané Wallis as 'cocky' and called Teen Mom star Farrah Abraham, then 21, a 'wh*** '. And ironically enough, Chrissy had stated that she was leaving Twitter before the scandal erupted because she was experiencing too much 'negative' abuse. 'This no longer serves me as positively as it serves me negatively … I've always been portrayed as the strong clap back girl but I'm just not,' she said. After the barrage of tweets came to light and people called for the model to be 'cancelled,' she issued an apology to Courtney - who was catapulted into the spotlight as the teen bride of the much older Green Mile actor Doug Hutchinson. 'Not a lot of people are lucky enough to be held accountable for all their past bulls**t in front of the entire world. I'm mortified and sad at who I used to be. I was an insecure, attention seeking troll. I am ashamed and completely embarrassed at my behavior but that is nothing compared to how I made Courtney feel,' she began. 'I have tried to connect with Courtney privately but since I publicly fueled all this, I want to also publicly apologize. I'm so sorry, Courtney. I hope you can heal now knowing how deeply sorry I am,' she wrote. It came as experts claimed that the Sussexes' new Netflix deal is a 'downgrade' on their previous $100million five-year tie-up and more 'we'll call you' than 'here's the chequebook'. The couple signed a new 'multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects' with the streaming giant - understood to be worth less for the pair than their previous contract. The 'first-look' arrangement means Netflix can say yes or no to new film or television projects before anyone else - allowing them to pick and choose what they invest in. PR expert Mark Borkowski described the new deal as a 'downgrade', claiming it falls a long way from the jackpot figure of Harry and Meghan's original contract in 2020. He told the Daily Mail: 'I think Netflix has done a very neat job of pivoting away from two very expensive people who didn't deliver, and they've taken that deal off the table, and they've given them a modest one. 'It's not like they're gradually uncoupling – it's a downgrade. Netflix are not going to expose themselves to those budgets again. It's Netflix saying, 'Let's have a look at your content, but we'll pick and choose, mate'.' The couple's new output will include a second season of the Duchess's 'With Love, Meghan' lifestyle show later this month, as well as a Christmas special in December. The Sussexes are also working on 'Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within' - a documentary about orphaned children in Uganda, where the 'shadows of the HIV/Aids crisis linger'. There is also 'active development' on other projects with Netflix which 'span a variety of content genres', including an adaptation of romantic novel Meet Me At The Lake. Netflix has already released the first series of With Love, Meghan as well as Polo, Heart of Invictus, Live to Lead and the couple's bombshell documentary Harry & Meghan as well as being a business partner on Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever. Five years ago, Harry and Meghan secured a lucrative contract thought to be worth $100million (£74million) with Netflix after quitting as senior working royals in 2020. The renewed deal was described by the Sussexes - who made the announcement with Netflix - as 'extending their creative partnership' through Archewell Productions. But the new terms are understood to be worth less for Harry and Meghan than their previous contract, according to a person familiar with the deal, and represent Netflix loosening its ties with the couple. In a statement, Meghan said: 'We're proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As Ever brand.' Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria said: 'We're excited to continue our partnership.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Meghan's perfect Instagram persona slips as fans spot an 'insect' crawling on her flower cookies in new video
Meghan Markle has shared another aesthetic video to promote her lifestyle brand As ever - but royal fans soon spotted a slightly disturbing detail. The Duchess of Sussex, 44, this week released the new trailer for the second season of her Netflix show - With Love, Meghan - as well as sharing photos and videos displaying a selection of homemade treats made using ingredients from her brand. In one video, shared as a story to her Instagram account @aseverofficial, Meghan could be seen making a cup of tea next to a plate of shortbread cookies with jam and flower sprinkles alongside sprigs of foliage. But as eagle-eyed royal fans shared the clip to social media, they soon noticed what appeared to be a tiny insect crawling around near a flower cookie at the bottom of the plate. The bug could be seen moving around the biscuits for a few seconds, before disappearing from view. One person wrote on X/ Twitter: 'There's literally a BUG crawling around on the plate! You think Meghan would notice this BEFORE posting!' Another added: 'Ewwww! I see it.' A third said: 'OMG…there IS a bug! I had to look really hard but it is definitely there!' while a fourth noted: 'Oh my god there is a creepy crawly on the plate.' Others noted that while insects are to be expected when eating outside in the summer, especially with homemade goods, it was more surprising that it could still be spotted in the Instagram brand photos. One person said: 'When I serve biscuits in the garden, something like that can happen quickly. But when I'm filming to publish, I check every little detail.' Another added: 'It most likely came from the greenery she elevated the table with.' The clip is no longer available to view on the As ever Instagram account as stories expire after 24 hours. The team also posted a similar photograph to their permanent feed, again featuring cookies with flower sprinkles. It was captioned: 'The As ever team getting creative in the kitchen with our shortbread cookie mix, flower sprinkles, and delicious fruit spreads. Perfect for tea time…or anytime.' The new trailer for With Love, Meghan was released on Tuesday and showed Meghan hosting a fresh batch of celebrities and influencers at the rented California house close to her and Prince Harry's Montecito mansion. With Love, Meghan was renewed for a second season just as season one was released in March. All the episodes were filmed at the same time, it is understood. People were horrified after spotting the bug - and that it had managed to make it to Instagram Guests on season two will include Chrissy Teigen and Jamie Kern Lima, the trailer revealed. In the one-minute, 27-second teaser, Meghan is seen eating cheese, prepping snacks and drinks with friends and even reveals the food her husband Prince Harry doesn't like. 'Do you know who doesn't like lobster? My husband,' she says as she prepares the seafood. As the trailer comes to an end, Meghan reveals: 'I love these moments of discovery and beauty. So let's be curious together.' Meghan's lifestyle show failed to break into Netflix 's top 300 programmes for the first half of 2025 and was even thrashed by multiple seasons of Suits. The numbers watching were 'dismal', an insider at the streamer reportedly said. Meghan has also filmed a Christmas special for broadcast in December, in a potential clash with the Princess of Wales ' annual carol concert at Westminster Abbey. The first series showed the former Suits star, 44, inviting friends and famous guests to a California estate, where she shared cooking, gardening and hosting tips. But it was panned by many reviewers who called it 'sensationally absurd and trite' with the Duchess of Sussex called 'tone-deaf' and punting a show that 'vibrates with vacuous joylessness'. Meghan in the new trailer for the second season of her lifestyle and cooking show In the one-minute, 27-second teaser, Meghan is seen eating cheese, prepping food and drink with friends and even reveals the food her husband Prince Harry doesn't like: lobster It has an IMDB rating of 3.2 out of 10 and a 38% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicates that the TV show is considered 'rotten'. Meghan was also lampooned for putting pretzels from the packet into a plastic bag, chiding one guest for using Markle as her surname instead of Sussex and one viewer threatened to sue claiming her recipe for homemade bath salts burned her skin. Meanwhile, outraged fans criticised the Duchess and Netflx after it was revealed American model Chrissy Teigen is among the guests on the second season of With Love, Meghan. Her inclusion has cast a shadow over the second installment of With Love, Meghan - even before its release - after social media users highlighted the former Sports Illustrated model's bullying row. In 2021, John Legend 's wife Chrissy faced severe backlash after abusive tweets by the star - dating back to 2011 - resurfaced online. In one, she told then-16-year-old Courtney Stodden - who identifies as they/them - to kill themselves. While the star has since apologised, it appeared fans have yet to fully forgive Chrissy for the disparaging tweets towards Courtney after they spotted her laughing and joking in the kitchen with Prince Harry's wife. The appearance of Chrissy in the show is all the more baffling, given Meghan's propensity to distance herself from pals who find themselves at the centre of controversy. Despite the bullying controversy, however, Chrissy has been close with the Duchess, especially after the Sussexes relocated to California in 2020. Now, her cameo on the forthcoming season of With Love, Meghan has called their friendship into question after several people highlighted how the Duchess has championed for stricter online safety regulations while speaking out against cyberbullying. Last October, Meghan reportedly described herself as being 'one of them most bullied people in the world' during a meeting with teenage girls at the youth leadership organisation Girls Inc in Santa Barbara. Earlier that year in August, Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation launched the Parents' Network in support of 'parents who have first-hand knowledge of the pain and destruction caused by social media use '. Netflix viewers highlighted the irony of roping in Chrissy, who said she was 'ashamed and completely embarrassed' by the tweets in her public apology to Courtney, for the show helmed by Meghan - who has consistently spoken out about children's digital safety. 'She advocates against online bullying then has Chrissy Teigen it make sense Netflix,' one X user wrote. Another message read: 'How can Meghan Markle associate with Chrissy Teigen, a self-confessed online bully and troll who purports to suport the Parents Network who are campaigning against this very thing?' 'This round may destroy her,' one X user added. 'Chrissy Teigen guests this season. WTF thought she was a good idea?' A similar comment read: 'You couldn't make it up, I wonder if it will help support the parents of the people Chrissy Teigen has bullied?' 'How do you have a charity for the parents of children who took their lives due to social media bullying but be besties with Chrissy Teigen and feature her in your show? I'm truly baffled.' Courtney incurred relentless bullying both publicly and in private from Chrissy, who tweeted at the then-teen in 2011: 'My Friday fantasy: you. dirt nap. mmmmmm baby', followed by: 'go. to sleep. forever.' Old tweets from 2013 have also resurfaced in which she described nine-year-old Oscar nominee Quvenzhané Wallis as 'cocky' and called Teen Mom star Farrah Abraham, then 21, a 'wh*** '. And ironically enough, Chrissy had stated that she was leaving Twitter before the scandal erupted because she was experiencing too much 'negative' abuse. 'This no longer serves me as positively as it serves me negatively … I've always been portrayed as the strong clap back girl but I'm just not,' she said. After the barrage of tweets came to light and people called for the model to be 'cancelled,' she issued an apology to Courtney - who was catapulted into the spotlight as the teen bride of the much older Green Mile actor Doug Hutchinson. 'Not a lot of people are lucky enough to be held accountable for all their past bulls**t in front of the entire world. I'm mortified and sad at who I used to be. I was an insecure, attention seeking troll. I am ashamed and completely embarrassed at my behavior but that is nothing compared to how I made Courtney feel,' she began. 'I have tried to connect with Courtney privately but since I publicly fueled all this, I want to also publicly apologize. I'm so sorry, Courtney. I hope you can heal now knowing how deeply sorry I am,' she wrote. Back in 2014, Chrissy and Meghan were snapped alongside Nina Agdal and Shay Mitchell in New York City as they participated in the DirecTV Beach Bowl at Pier 40 It came as experts claimed that the Sussexes' new Netflix deal is a 'downgrade' on their previous $100million five-year tie-up and more 'we'll call you' than 'here's the chequebook'. The couple signed a new 'multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects' with the streaming giant - understood to be worth less for the pair than their previous contract. The 'first-look' arrangement means Netflix can say yes or no to new film or television projects before anyone else - allowing them to pick and choose what they invest in. PR expert Mark Borkowski described the new deal as a 'downgrade', claiming it falls a long way from the jackpot figure of Harry and Meghan's original contract in 2020. He told the Daily Mail: 'I think Netflix has done a very neat job of pivoting away from two very expensive people who didn't deliver, and they've taken that deal off the table, and they've given them a modest one. 'It's not like they're gradually uncoupling – it's a downgrade. Netflix are not going to expose themselves to those budgets again. It's Netflix saying, 'Let's have a look at your content, but we'll pick and choose, mate'.' The couple's new output will include a second season of the Duchess's 'With Love, Meghan' lifestyle show later this month, as well as a Christmas special in December. During a conversation with Spanish restauranteur José Ramón Andrés, Meghan revealed a fun insight into 40-year-old Prince Harry's tastes Meghan, pictured with her husband during the Invictus Games earlier this year, revealed her husband doesn't like lobster The Sussexes are also working on 'Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within' - a documentary about orphaned children in Uganda, where the 'shadows of the HIV/Aids crisis linger'. There is also 'active development' on other projects with Netflix which 'span a variety of content genres', including an adaptation of romantic novel Meet Me At The Lake. Netflix has already released the first series of With Love, Meghan as well as Polo, Heart of Invictus, Live to Lead and the couple's bombshell documentary Harry & Meghan as well as being a business partner on Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever. Five years ago, Harry and Meghan secured a lucrative contract thought to be worth $100million (£74million) with Netflix after quitting as senior working royals in 2020. The renewed deal was described by the Sussexes - who made the announcement with Netflix - as 'extending their creative partnership' through Archewell Productions. But the new terms are understood to be worth less for Harry and Meghan than their previous contract, according to a person familiar with the deal, and represent Netflix loosening its ties with the couple. In a statement, Meghan said: 'We're proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As Ever brand.'
The Guardian
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Harry and Meghan sign new multi-year film and TV deal with Netflix
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have signed a fresh multi-year film and television deal with Netflix, contradicting reports this year that the streaming company would not renew its contract with them. Harry and Meghan, who struck a five-year deal in 2020 reportedly worth $100m (£78m) after stepping back from their duties as senior royals, have collaborated with Netflix on a number of projects, most recently the duchess's lifestyle series With Love, Meghan. Media reports had suggested that poor viewing figures for some of the couple's projects meant that Netflix would not extend the 'first look' deal, whereby the streamer has the first option on any projects their company, Archewell Productions, generates. With Love, Meghan – alongside which the duchess launched her brand, As Ever, in which Netflix is now a partner – failed to break into the streamer's top 300 shows in the first half of this year, while Harry's documentary, Polo, ranked 3,346 of 7,000 shows. The terms of the 'multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects' were not disclosed. The duchess said: 'We're proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As Ever brand. 'My husband and I feel inspired by our partners who work closely with us and our Archewell Productions team to create thoughtful content across genres that resonates globally, and celebrates our shared vision.' Their new output will include a second season of With Love, Meghan later this month, as well as a Christmas special in December. Archewell Productions is also working on Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within, a documentary about orphaned children in the Masaka region of Uganda, where the 'shadows of the HIV/Aids crisis linger'. A boardroom dispute led to Harry stepping down in March from Sentebale, the charity he founded to help children orphaned by Aids in Lesotho. A spokesperson said at the weekend that the duke was considering setting up a new charitable organisation working 'in the same space in the region'. There is also 'active development' on other Archewell projects with Netflix, which 'span a variety of content genres', including a feature adaptation of the bestselling romantic novel Meet Me At The Lake, by Carley Fortune. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Not all the couple's forays into content creation have been commercially successful. In 2023, a $20m deal they had signed with Spotify to produce podcasts came to an end after just 12 episodes. Spotify's head of podcast innovation and development labelled the pair 'grifters' on his own podcast after the Sussexes announced the end of the relationship. 'I wish I had been involved in the 'Meghan and Harry leave Spotify' negotiation,' said Bill Simmons, who sold his company to Spotify for $196m in 2020 and gained a leadership role at the company. 'The Fucking Grifters. That's the podcast we should have launched with them.' Reports at the time said the royal couple had not met the productivity benchmark required to receive the full headline payout from the deal.
Times
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Harry and Meghan sign watered-down deal with Netflix
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have agreed a watered-down deal with Netflix following a mixed reaction to their previous partnership. The 'multiyear, first-look deal for film and television projects' with the streaming giant means that it will have first refusal on any ideas generated by the couple. However, it is some way short of the 'golden handcuffs-style' agreement for any output that was signed five years ago for a reported £74 million and will be far less lucrative. The relationship began in December 2022 with the six-part documentary series Harry & Meghan, but subsequent shows, including this year's celebrity lifestyle series With Love, Meghan, have struggled to generate similar interest from audiences. Before it aired in March, Meghan launched her As Ever brand, which was featured heavily in the show.
