Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have announced plans to visit the UK next month for the Invictus Games countdown in Birmingham, bringing along their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, who turned five this month. However, royal commentators have described the trip as a "major risk" to their reputation, with some suggesting the move "smacks of desperation."
Netflix Deal Under Strain
The visit comes amid reports that Netflix has scaled back its partnership with the couple's production company, Archewell Productions, following a string of poorly performing shows. An insider told Variety: "The mood in the building is, 'We're done'." TalkTV presenter Mark Dolan added: "The money is drying up. The gigs are just not there."
Archewell Productions holds a "multi-year, first look deal" with Netflix, but its recent output has failed to capture audiences. The show With Love, Meghan received lacklustre ratings in its second season, with Variety reporting that Meghan gave away surplus As Ever products, including tea and baking mixes, which were placed on tables in various office buildings. An Archewell spokesperson said such giveaways from sample closets are standard practice at studios.
Literary Adaptation Struggles
In 2023, Archewell secured the rights to adapt Carley Fortune’s hit romance novel Meet Me at the Lake, about a man and a woman in their 30s reconnecting after a whirlwind romance. It has been almost three years since the author confirmed signing over the film rights after a "really good long call" with Meghan and Archewell film producer Tracy Ryerson. However, no release date has been announced, and the project remains in development.
UK Visit: A Calculated Risk?
Royal author Phil Dampier warned that the Sussexes are taking a big risk by returning to the UK, noting it is "quite possible some people might boo them." Mark Dolan suggested the couple is trying to recalibrate their royal credentials to boost their brand. "They need the optics, they need the titles, they need the status, they need the elevated position it gives them because at the moment, we've seen that Meghan's popularity is dropping in the United States," he said.
Can They Turn Things Around?
The couple's ability to revive their TV careers hinges on the success of their upcoming projects and their public reception in the UK. As they prepare for their first visit in four years, the stakes are high. Do you think Harry and Meghan can save their TV careers? Vote in our poll below.
