‘It’s very bad form’: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pull out of fundraiser linked to streaming rival after Netflix deal
After signing a mega deal with Netflix, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have pulled out of a planned fundraiser for veterans because of a huge conflict.
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After signing a mega deal with Netflix, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have cancelled a planned fundraiser for veterans because it was linked to a rival streaming giant.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were due to appear at a start-studded event in support of the Invictus Games, to be broadcast on Netflix’s rival, Amazon Prime.
With rumoured appearances from Beyonce and Ed Sheeran, the event – that was due to be held at California’s Hollywood Bowl – aimed to rake in millions of dollars for Harry’s Invictus Games’ Foundation, to help veterans.
But lawyers for Harry and Meghan indicated the couple would not go ahead with the fundraiser, shortly before their Netflix content deal was made public, London’s Sunday T imes reported.
“It’s very bad form and everyone at Invictus is gutted,” a source told The Times.
“Harry said yes to doing this last year and everything was still moving forwards until a few weeks ago.
“This was going to be a big moment for Invictus where the pot is pretty empty, and it has left them in the lurch. Harry needs to pull his finger out to find another way to raise funds for them.”
Via the Invictus Foundation, couple cited COVID-19 as the reason for the cancellation and denied it had anything to do with Harry and Meghan’s Netflix deal.
It came days after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle signed a mega agreement with Netflix that will set up their financial future away from the Royal Family’s purse strings.
The couple, who officially stepped away from senior royal duties this year, now have a new line of cash that will fund their security bill and mansion in Montecito, Santa Barbara.
The Netflix deal, estimated to be worth $US150 million, will be to produce shows that “give hope”.
Meghan, who shot to Hollywood stardom with her role as Rachel Zane in TV legal drama Suits, will not return to acting under the deal.
The couple said in a statement they would make inspirational television shows for the streaming platform.
“Our lives, both independent of each other, and as a couple have allowed us to understand the power of the human spirit: of courage, resilience, and the need for connection,” the couple said.
“Our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope. As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us.”
The couple, who are not allowed to use their royal titles, were among the hottest names in Hollywood among TV producers desperate to turn content into subscriber revenue.
Of the deal with the royals, Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said: “We’re incredibly proud they have chosen Netflix as their creative home and are excited about telling stories with them that can help build resilience and increase understanding for audiences everywhere”.
Prince Harry and Meghan also had discussions with Apple and Disney, both of which have recently launched streaming services to take on Netflix.
Meghan had done some voiceover work for Disney, after Prince Harry spruiked her services to the company’s boss at the premiere of The Lion King in Leicester Square, London, in July 2019.
Video that emerged of Prince Harry speaking to Bob Iger raised questions about the then senior royal’s independence.
Now the couple have split from the royal family they were able to make their own money, which was one of the main motivations for them stepping back from their senior jobs.
Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co-chief executive and chief content officer, said in a statement: “We’re incredibly proud they have chosen Netflix as their creative home and are excited about telling stories with them that can help build resilience and increase understanding for audiences everywhere.”
NETFLIX’S CELEBRITY APPEAL
Harry and Meghan aren’t the only celebrities to sign lucrative deals with Netflix – which now has 192 million subscribers worldwide.
The streaming giant is worth $A331 billion, making it now more powerful than Hollywood movie studios.
Former US president Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, negotiated a similar deal with Netflix in 2018 – through their join production company, Higher Ground Productions- for a series of documentaries.
“Touching on issues of race and class, democracy and civil rights and much more, we believe each of these productions won’t just entertain, but will educate, connect and inspire us all,” Mr. Obama said in a statement last year.
Their deal includes American Factory, a doco about Ohio, and Bloom, described as a drama series about New York after World War II.
In addition to the Obamas and Sussexes, Netflix has also lured major Hollywood power players into exclusive content deals.
Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes signed a five-year Netflix deal in 2017 via her production company, Shondaland, said to be worth $US150 million.
And in 2018, the streaming giant signed Ryan Murphy – who created Glee and American Horror Story – in a five-year deal worth $US300 million.
Netflix has also signed massive deals with stars including Adam Sandler, who signed a four movie deal with the site via his production company, Happy Madison Productions. The deal has already resulted in the critically-acclaimed Netflix original film, Uncut Gems.
Meantime, Prince Harry and Meghan recently paid $A20 million for a mansion in Santa Barbara, about 90 minutes north of Los Angeles.
The couple took out a $A13 million mortgage on the 16-bathroom property, which they will now be easily able to cover
Originally published as ‘It’s very bad form’: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pull out of fundraiser linked to streaming rival after Netflix deal