Since stepping back from their roles as senior royals in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have carved out a new life in California, leveraging media deals to establish their brand and financial independence. Their $100 million, five-year contract with Netflix, signed in 2020, has been a cornerstone of their post-royal career, producing high-profile projects like the record-breaking docuseries Harry & Meghan. However, as the contract nears its expiration in 2025, recent reports suggest that tensions have arisen between the couple over the terms of a potential renewal, with Meghan reportedly pushing for a new deal that has sparked disagreements. Drawing on recent web sources and social media sentiment, this article explores the nature of their reported conflict, the context of their Netflix partnership, and the implications for their personal and professional futures.
The Netflix Deal: A High-Stakes Partnership
In 2020, after relocating to Montecito, California, Harry and Meghan signed a landmark deal with Netflix, reportedly worth $100 million, to produce content through their production company, Archewell Productions. The agreement aimed to create documentaries, docuseries, feature films, scripted shows, and children’s programming, aligning with their mission to share “thought-provoking and diverse narratives” that foster community and highlight shared humanity. The deal produced five major projects: the blockbuster Harry & Meghan (2022), which became Netflix’s second most popular documentary series; Live to Lead (2022), profiling inspiring global leaders; Heart of Invictus (2023), tied to Harry’s Invictus Games; Polo (2024), a sports series focused on Harry’s passion for the sport; and With Love, Meghan (2025), a lifestyle series spearheaded by Meghan.
The Harry & Meghan docuseries was a cultural phenomenon, breaking viewership records and sparking global conversations about their departure from the royal family. However, subsequent projects have struggled to replicate this success. Polo was a notable disappointment, ranking 3,436 out of 7,000 shows with only 500,000 viewers in six months, while With Love, Meghan failed to break into Netflix’s top 300 programs in the first half of 2025, despite cracking the Global Top 10 in 47 countries. Critics, such as Variety, described Meghan’s show as a “Montecito ego trip,” and viewership for Polo paled compared to reruns of Meghan’s former series, Suits. These lackluster results have fueled speculation about the couple’s future with Netflix, with some insiders claiming the deal is “dead” and that Netflix is “waiting for the credits to roll.”
The Reported Conflict: Differing Visions
Recent reports suggest that Meghan is keen to renew the Netflix contract, viewing it as critical to sustaining Archewell’s visibility and her personal brand, As Ever, which has partnered with Netflix to sell lifestyle products like jams and teas featured in With Love, Meghan. Netflix’s consumer products division, which promotes merchandise tied to popular series, has been a key collaborator, with As Ever’s first product drop selling out in 45 minutes. Meghan’s enthusiasm for continuing this partnership is bolstered by Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, who has publicly praised her as a “rock star” and a cultural influencer, dismissing critics who underestimate her impact.
However, Harry reportedly has reservations about the terms of a potential new deal. Sources claim that Meghan’s push for a renewed contract, potentially worth $153 million, includes controversial clauses that have caused friction. One unverified report from Radar Online alleges that Netflix proposed a “divorce clause,” securing rights to a post-separation interview should the couple split, a condition that Harry finds unacceptable given his emphasis on privacy, particularly for their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. While a source close to the Sussexes denied these claims, the rumor has fueled speculation about underlying tensions. Harry’s reluctance is also tied to his desire to shift focus away from projects that dwell on royal controversies, as seen in their less successful, non-royal-themed ventures like Polo.
The couple’s differing priorities reportedly exacerbate these tensions. Meghan, a former actress with a background in Hollywood, is said to be driving the creative direction of their projects, with insiders noting her confidence in navigating the industry. Posts on X have echoed this sentiment, with some users claiming Meghan “thinks she knows how to run Hollywood,” leading to friction with Harry, who is less experienced in media production. Harry’s focus on projects like a proposed documentary about his mother, Princess Diana, to mark the 30th anniversary of her death in 2027, suggests a desire to create meaningful content tied to his personal legacy rather than lifestyle programming. However, a source close to the Sussexes denied that this Diana project has been greenlit, adding to the uncertainty.
Contextual Factors: Professional and Personal Pressures
The reported conflict comes at a time of significant professional pressure for the Sussexes. Their Netflix deal, while initially lucrative, has faced scrutiny for its low output compared to its cost. After the cancellation of their $20 million Spotify deal in 2023 due to underperformance, with only 12 episodes of Meghan’s Archetypes podcast produced, the stakes for Netflix are high. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams has suggested that any renewal would likely be on less favorable terms, with Netflix potentially requiring the couple to fund projects upfront or provide detailed outlines before approval. This shift could strain their finances, as they rely on media deals to sustain their lifestyle, having received no further funding from the royal family since stepping down.
Public perception also plays a role. Posts on X reflect a polarized sentiment, with some users labeling the couple “losers” and celebrating reports of a failing Netflix deal, while others defend Meghan’s business acumen and Netflix’s continued investment in her brand. The couple’s appearance at a Paramount Pictures premiere in Jamaica in January 2024 was interpreted by some as a “warning shot” to Netflix, signaling that they have other suitors in the industry. This move suggests a strategic effort to maintain leverage in negotiations, but it may also highlight underlying anxieties about their contract’s future.
On a personal level, the couple has faced persistent rumors about their marriage, which Harry publicly addressed at a New York media summit in December 2024, dismissing claims of divorce as “troll” speculation. However, the pressure of maintaining a high-profile media career while navigating public scrutiny and their strained relationship with the royal family—exacerbated by Harry’s memoir Spare and their 2021 Oprah interview—may contribute to their reported disagreements. Meghan’s focus on building As Ever and Harry’s interest in projects like the Invictus Games documentary reflect divergent professional paths, with some sources suggesting they have “split professionally” to pursue individual ventures.
Implications for the Future
The outcome of the Netflix contract negotiations could have significant implications for Harry and Meghan’s public image and financial stability. A successful renewal would reinforce their status as media moguls, particularly if Meghan’s With Love, Meghan Season 2, set to debut in Autumn 2025, gains traction. Netflix’s commitment to her brand and Sarandos’s vocal support suggest a willingness to continue the partnership, potentially with a focus on Meghan’s lifestyle projects over Harry’s less successful ventures. However, a failure to renew could be a major setback, following the Spotify cancellation and a reported $8.7 million drop in donations to their Archewell Foundation from 2021 to 2022.
For Harry, the proposed Diana documentary represents an opportunity to honor his mother’s legacy and potentially mend ties with his brother, Prince William, though sources indicate no agreement has been reached. His limited appearance in With Love, Meghan—briefly seen in the final episode—underscores his secondary role in Meghan’s projects, which may fuel his reluctance to commit to a deal heavily centered on her vision. The rumored “divorce clause,” while unconfirmed, highlights the couple’s challenge in balancing personal privacy with their public-facing careers.
Conclusion
The reported tensions between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle over their Netflix contract reflect deeper differences in their professional ambitions and approaches to their post-royal careers. Meghan’s drive to expand her lifestyle brand and maintain a strong Hollywood presence clashes with Harry’s apparent desire for projects with personal significance and less commercial focus. While Netflix’s investment in Meghan’s As Ever and the renewal of With Love, Meghan suggest continued support, the couple’s uneven track record and the looming expiration of their $100 million deal have sparked speculation about their future. The unverified “divorce clause” rumor, though denied, underscores the intense scrutiny they face, both from the media and within their partnership. As they navigate these challenges, Harry and Meghan must reconcile their individual goals with their shared brand, with the outcome of their Netflix negotiations likely to shape their trajectory in the years to come.
