Senior royals fear Meghan and Harry’s Netflix show will ‘hijack’ Queen’s jubilee
Senior royals believe Meghan and Harry could attempt to “overshadow” the Queen’s upcoming platinum jubilee to film content for their debut Netflix series.
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Royals fear the Harry and Meghan show could “hijack and overshadow” the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee if the couple return for the celebration.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s every step at this week’s Invictus Games is being captured by film crew as part of their $200 million deal with Netflix.
The pair flew to the Netherlands for the event the day after Harry “instigated” secret clear-the-air talks at Windsor Castle last week, marking their first joint visit to the UK since they stepped back from royal life in early 2020.
Senior sources believe the hush-hush visit was a bid by them to pave the way for “places front and centre” at the Jubilee events in June.
The 30-strong Netflix crew are getting exclusive behind-the-scenes footage at the Games for a documentary series.
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And there are fears within the Royal Family that Netflix could apply pressure to film the Sussexes at the Queen’s celebration — although royal insiders point out the couple have always promised to “uphold the values of Her Majesty” in their new role.
A source said: “Charles wants the Platinum Jubilee to focus only on the Queen.
“Many are disappointed that [Prince] Andrew overshadowed Prince Philip’s thanksgiving service and don’t want the Meghan and Harry circus to hijack the Jubilee.
“This is the Queen’s show and should be about her and her 70 years of service rather than Meghan’s fashion, the kids and Harry.
“They don’t want it to become the Harry and Meghan show. Charles and all the family are agreed on that.”
Harry and Meghan have yet to confirm that they will attend the Queen’s four-day jubilee, which includes the annual Trooping the Colour festival.
The Queen is also expected at a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral and will be joined by Prince Andrew for a day at the races at the Epsom Derby.
There will also be a special concert at Buckingham Palace.
An insider added: “The royal family will be watching on at Invictus events this week concerned where Netflix will be when the Jubilee comes round.
“They will want to film behind the scenes or be in the crowd at the Jubilee as it’s better footage for the documentary.”
It is not yet known if Netflix or the Sussexes have issued any reassurances about the Jubilee.
It is understood that Harry engineered the Castle meeting at short notice, but that the reunion with his dad Charles and Camilla lasted 15 minutes — while their face-to-face with the Queen went on a little longer.
Harry asked for family talks at short notice and arrived on Wednesday to stay at Frogmore Cottage in the castle grounds before their royal reunions the following morning.
But his dad Charles, 73, was busy getting ready for Maundy Thursday service where he stood in for the Queen, which meant their meeting was kept brief. It was scheduled for 10am before Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, saw the 95-year-old monarch for longer, sometime between 10.30am and 1pm.
One insider said: “Charles maintains Harry is still a much-loved son”. But others claimed it was a “reluctant” meeting and the couple “were not exactly welcomed with open arms”.
A source added: “No one else was allowed in the room.”
After Charles and Camilla left, Harry and Meghan spoke to the Queen — who is not expected at today’s Easter Sunday church service due to mobility problems.
Prince William was not at Windsor Castle last Thursday. He is understood to be on a skiing holiday with Kate and their three children. His relationship with Harry has been under strain for some time.
The royal fears come a year after Harry was stripped of his honorary military titles and patronages amid concerns that TV bosses could use them to promote his Netflix documentaries and US talk shows.
The Queen refused Harry’s bid for a “half-in, half-out” hybrid royal role, however, he retained his role at the Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014.
Buckingham Palace and Clarence House did not want to comment.
Last night, the Netflix team — in distinctive numbered burgundy bibs — were on hand as Meghan took to the stage in The Hague to address thousands of former military men and women taking part at the sporting event.
Introducing Harry, she said he had spent many late nights and early mornings planning to make the Games “as perfect as possible”.
In a show of affection she said: “I could not love him and respect him more and I am sure you all feel the same because he is your fellow veteran having served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and ten years of military service.
“He’s the founder of the Invictus Games and the father to our two little ones Archie and Lili. Please welcome my incredible husband, Prince Harry the Duke of Sussex.”
The Prince, who appeared emotional, said: “Thank you, my love.” Addressing the competitors he said: “God I‘ve missed you all.”
He said two-year-old Archie wants to be an astronaut, helicopter pilot, and as a joke, said “or Kwazii from the Octonauts”.
This story originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission
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Originally published as Senior royals fear Meghan and Harry’s Netflix show will ‘hijack’ Queen’s jubilee
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