Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are returning to the UK, six years after starting a new life in Montecito, California. Royal commentators are questioning what their new life might look like, with the Sussexes reportedly returning as non-working royals and enrolling their children in British schools.
Failed Hollywood Ambitions
Several commentators have speculated that it is their failed attempt to make it in Hollywood that has led to their U-turn. If that is the case, they could find themselves at a crossroads in their Netflix deal. Under the banner of Archewell Productions, Meghan and Harry are expected to executive produce several projects for the streamer, including an adaptation of Carly Fortune's bestselling book Meet Me at the Lake and a yet untitled Polo drama.
With the duo making a beeline for the UK, the move does not inspire much confidence from a business perspective.
Fizzling Relationship with Netflix
In recent years, Meghan and Harry's relationship with Netflix appears to have fizzled: With Love, Meghan was not renewed for a third season, Harry's Polo docu-series failed to get the green light for season two, and the streamer ceased its financial backing of Meghan's luxury goods brand, As Ever. In the latter case, Netflix said in a statement that this was part of a pre-planned, mutual agreement made with Meghan, but nonetheless, it feels as though the streaming giant is gradually cutting ties with the Sussexes.
Their decision to move comes just weeks after their film, Cookie Queens, flopped at the box office and was subsequently overshadowed by a compilation of cat videos in US cinemas.
Commercial Viability Questioned
Royal commentators such as Kinsey Schofield have questioned their commercial viability, suggesting that Harry and Meghan's successes are specifically tied to their association with the British Royal Family. With all of this in mind, Meghan and Harry's move to the UK marks the end of their deal with Netflix if they do not come up with the royal goods.
On one hand, it feels like they are admitting defeat and fleeing Hollywood after a series of commercial flops. The move also places them further from Archewell Productions' headquarters in California, which could suggest that they are not overly committed to their roster of upcoming projects.
Opportunity and Risk
On the other hand, the couple does have an interesting opportunity ahead, though they would be embarking on a more challenging path than ever before. Should Meghan and Harry return to the UK, reconcile with his family and in the final step of mission impossible — win over the British press and public opinion — then they could, in theory, become more popular and commercially successful than ever. But it seems unlikely that Harry's family would be willing to let them capitalise on anything royal.
It would take an army of PR geniuses and an indefinite endorsement from the Royal Family to turn the tide of public opinion. Regardless, Meghan and Harry's imminent return has upped public intrigue, and could renew interest in their Netflix ventures, which could benefit from more publicity. At this point, only time will tell. They already lost Spotify, they cannot afford to lose Netflix.
