Cast Members Share Candid Insights About Working With Meghan Markle
The cast of Meghan Markle's new documentary film have opened up about their experiences working with the Duchess of Sussex, revealing what she is truly like behind the scenes. The documentary, titled Cookie Queens, had its premiere this week at the prestigious 2026 Sundance Film Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah.
A Fairytale Encounter For Young Participants
Nikki B, one of the Girl Scouts featured in the documentary, described meeting Meghan Markle as nothing short of a fairytale experience. "It feels like crazy," she said. "I always read about them [Harry and Markle] in my books, like, oh, the princesses and kings, and then I actually get to meet one."
She continued with palpable excitement: "When I first found out that I was meeting the Duke and Duchess, I was like, 'Are you serious? Are you sure?' But yeah, I'm really excited. I'm so stoked." This genuine reaction highlights how surreal the experience felt for the young participants involved in the project.
Documentary Explores Girl Scouts' Cookie-Selling Journey
Cookie Queens follows the journey of four Girl Scouts as they navigate the annual cookie-selling season in the United States. The documentary focuses on Nikki B and her older sister Nala, among others, providing an intimate look at this American tradition. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex served as executive producers for the project, collaborating with director Alysa Nahmia to bring this story to the screen.
Another participant, Olive G, expressed her amazement at the circular nature of the experience. "It's just crazy to me because me and my parents watched [Meghan and Harry's] documentary on Netflix, and now they've watched me [in the documentary]. That's just crazy," she told GB News.
Examining The Business Behind The Cookies
Director Alysa Nahmia spoke about the significant economic dimension of the Girl Scouts' cookie enterprise, which generates approximately £600 million annually. "The cookies are a £600 million [a year] business that's very profitable, and these girls are doing that, and they're making a cut of that [for their troupes]," she explained.
However, Nahmia also questioned the pressures involved: "But at what cost?" She suggested that pressure comes from multiple directions—parents, the Girl Scouts organisation, and the girls themselves—describing the experience as "a crash course in capitalism for young people."
Meghan's Personal Connection To The Project
Speaking at the festival event, Meghan Markle expressed her pride in the documentary. "Thank you guys so much for being here bright and early... Look, my husband and I and our Archewell Productions, we are so proud and privileged to be able to support and uplift Cookie Queens," said the mother-of-two.
She went on to praise the film's significance: "This film, yes, is probably the cutest at the festival. But I'm also going to go out on a limb and say it is one of the most powerful and meaningful depictions of something that is an American tradition and rooted in nostalgia."
Meghan highlighted how director Alysa Nahmia's creative vision modernised the portrayal: "But it's now put through this lens from the incredible creative vision of Alyssa to show something modernised about the girlhood experience and all the layers of complexity that come with that."
Premiere Reactions And Fan Support
The premiere itself generated significant attention, with fans defending 44-year-old Meghan against critics who commented on her appearance at the event. Those present at the screening praised the former actress's influence and personality, contrasting with some negative commentary circulating online.
The documentary represents another venture for Archewell Productions, the media company founded by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as they continue to develop projects focused on social issues and personal narratives.
