Netflix Severs Ties with Meghan Markle in Major Contract Termination
Meghan Markle's substantial multi-million pound agreement with streaming giant Netflix has reportedly been scrapped entirely, marking a significant shift in the Duchess of Sussex's post-royal career trajectory. The termination follows the couple's decision to step back from senior royal duties in January 2020 and pursue financial independence through commercial ventures.
Celebrity Chef Questions Meghan's Culinary Commitment
Television chef Rosemary Shrager has offered her candid perspective on Meghan's foray into cookery and baking programming, suggesting the Duchess might not have been fully prepared for the hands-on demands of kitchen work. "I haven't watched it," Rosemary admitted to the Mirror, adding with laughter, "She would probably give me the impression she's too attractive to be doing it."
The 75-year-old culinary expert nevertheless expressed curiosity about Meghan's shows, stating she would be having a "sneaky peek" at the content. Rosemary elaborated further on her reservations about Meghan's approach to culinary programming: "She's a lady – she's not exactly going to get her hands dirty if she has to get into the kitchen with a brigade of chefs. I can't imagine her doing that, but I might be wrong."
The Rise and Fall of the Netflix Partnership
Meghan and Prince Harry initially secured their groundbreaking deal with Netflix shortly after their royal departure, producing several high-profile projects including the documentary series Harry & Meghan, the lifestyle show With Love, Meghan, and the polo-focused programme Polo. However, industry sources indicate the partnership has now reached its conclusion.
A source close to Netflix told The Sun: "The deal is done; no more shows will be made. Netflix feel they've got all they can from the couple. Netflix were clever in that they got a hell of a lot of viewers for the first documentary series, and knew, realistically, it would prove the zenith of content from the Montecito pair."
The insider added that while Netflix executives aren't "unhappy with how things turned out" – having secured "one of the most talked-about shows of all time" – subsequent content had become "weaker" in comparison. For the reported £20 million annual investment, the source suggested "anything was better than nothing" from a business perspective.
Financial Implications and Industry Perspectives
The termination represents a substantial financial setback for the Sussexes, with sources indicating it would be a "blow" and a "huge loss of revenue" for Prince Harry particularly. The couple's initial £100 million contract with Netflix had positioned them among the streaming platform's highest-profile content creators following their royal departure.
Rosemary Shrager, meanwhile, has been focusing on her own culinary projects, recently collaborating with Numan to launch a digital cookbook designed to address January cravings. "It's come at the right moment, I feel I'm 40 years trained for it," she said of the project. "It's absolutely brilliant, I do it for myself because it's important."
The chef emphasized the importance of balanced, wholesome recipes in her new cookbook, which includes offerings like homemade baked beans and beetroot brownies. "It's all about balance," Rosemary explained. "We have taste buds – you have to get these flavourings, as well as protein and fibre, with few carbs. The whole thing has been a balanced situation."
She further elaborated on her culinary philosophy: "Food uses all of our senses. You've got to give your body a fair whip at the game, that's it, you've got to make it possible to work, that's how I see it."
The contrasting approaches to culinary content creation – between traditional hands-on chefs like Shrager and celebrity-driven lifestyle programming – highlight ongoing debates within the entertainment industry about authenticity and audience engagement in food-related media.
