Harry’s new film could upset his brother Prince William as he “mines family” for content, says expert

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s eye-watering $5.8m new film is set to cause heartache for Prince William. See why.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s new film, which features a parent dying in a car crash and mental health issues, could put more strain on his bond with his brother Prince William.

The Sussexes bought rights to best-selling romantic novel Meet Me At The Lake by former journalist turned author Carley Fortune, which experts say may have cost up to $A5.8 million.

The novel is about a couple who meet in their 30s with echoes of the Duke and Duchess’s real-life relationship. It also deals with themes including childhood trauma over losing a parent in a car crash, mental health and post-natal depression.

Harry’s new film could put further strain on his relationship with brother Prince William. Picture: Getty Images

Many have picked up similarities between the book and the couple’s own life experiences, such as Prince Harry’s mother dying in a car crash in 1997, and Meghan’s open experience with post-natal depression.

Senior therapist and relationship expert Sally Baker told The Mirror US that Prince Harry working on this new project might be “relieving” for him.

“Creating an artistic response to tragedy is a way of transforming grief. However, depending on how closely he’s required to work on this project it is also likely to stir up profoundly painful memories and emotions for Harry too,” Ms Baker said.

The film features a parent dying in a car crash, similar to Princess Diana’s death. Picture: Getty Images

“Harry will need immense courage and vulnerability to revisit such deep grief for which I think he still holds unresolved trauma and sadness.

“It may also temporarily strain relations with his brother William who is bound to think Harry is still mining their family narrative for his own sensational content.

“William may feel the coincidences in this project confront publicly deep wounds from their childhood.

It’s reported that the Sussexes spent nearly $6m on buying the rights to the film. Picture: Getty Images

“Pulling from real loss and anguish infuses the work with a truth and rawness that resonates. Even when fictionalised, basing stories on actual events and emotions can heighten their impact. I wish him strength on this difficult creative journey.”
Harry and Meghan’s new project for Netflix marks a change in direction for Archewell Productions from personal documentaries to fictional drama amid reports their star power is waning in the US.