Friends of Meghan Markle have claimed she was “used” to promote the television series The Gentlemen. Sources close to the Duchess of Sussex have accused Netflix of leaking her potential involvement in the crime drama's third series to boost publicity.
Talks have been abandoned and the royal is officially out of the running. But her friends believe she was “used to help promote” the second series, for which viewing figures fell by 500,000.
Netflix row leaves 'sour taste'
Referring to the Netflix row, one friend told the Sunday Telegraph: “The whole thing left a bit of a sour taste in the Sussex camp's mouth. Needless to say, Netflix got what it wanted: huge viewing figures for season two and a lot of publicity.” Netflix has been approached for comment.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Nottingham last week in their first joint public engagement since their return to the UK.
Sussexes reject 'working Royals' label
It comes as reports claim that Harry and Meghan “hate” the phrase “working members of the Royal Family” after being kicked out of the job. The pair think it is a “lazy” definition of Royal duty.
They claim it does not cover their current circumstances because they insist they are “members of the Royal Family” who “work” – even though they are not doing it for the monarchy. The term is traditionally used to define those who undertake engagements on behalf of the Royals and attend official events such as Trooping the Colour.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex quit the monarchy in 2020 and moved to the US to start new lives. Though they have recently returned to the UK, they have been told by King Charles they are not working Royals, cannot use the titles of “His and Her Royal Highness” and are “private citizens”. That did not stop them carrying out their first joint public engagement since their return – a “non-Royal” visit to Nottingham last week.
Friends defend couple's work
A friend of the couple said the pair take exception to the traditional “working” definition and hate being called “former Royals”, which affects how “people talk about them”.
The friend told the Sunday Times: “‘Working members of the Royal Family' is a really lazy phrase. He hates it, she hates it. They are not 'working' for the institution but they are members of the Royal Family and they work. Their days are built around their family life and their work.
“She's running a business seven-days-a-week. Things like Nottingham aren't done in the name of the institution or the Crown but Harry is the son of the King. He is still a member of the Royal Family. He's just not a member of the institution. It's misleading to call them ‘former Royals'. It has an impact on how they're perceived and the way people talk about them.”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment. But one unimpressed Royal observer said: “It's like a football manager saying he doesn't like the job title after he's been sacked. They are not Royals full-stop. They are ordinary members of the public. They may not want to acknowledge it but fact is fact. They want all the tinsel without doing the graft of chopping down the Christmas tree.”
Friction with Royal Family continues
Harry and Meghan's views are unlikely to ease friction with the Royal Family. A source close to them acknowledged there was “distance” between Harry and his Prince of Wales brother and things were “not perfect” between him and his dad.
The couple have yet to see the 77-year-old King since their return to the UK two months ago and are jetting back to California, US, for Christmas, realising they will not get an invite to traditional Royal festive celebrations at Sandringham, Norfolk.
A recent YouGov poll of 4,500 British adults found 51% of people would prefer the Sussexes to remain non-working royals. Only 16% wanted them to resume their roles as working Royals. Since quitting the monarchy they have pursued commercial projects including tell-all books, documentaries, podcasts and public speaking gigs.
Ex-Suits star Meghan, 45, who plans to launch her As Ever lifestyle brand in the UK, is reportedly considering going back to acting. Harry, 42, is focused on his UK-based charities and preparing for the Invictus Games in Birmingham next summer.
The couple were said to be “emotional and overjoyed” at their reception in Nottingham – their first joint appearance since 2017 shortly after announcing their engagement – and plan to do more in the coming months.
A source said: “They were really pleased. They didn't think people would turn out like they did. She is in a much better headspace than when she was doing it first time round. They both are. He's always at his happiest when he's out meeting people and supporting the causes. He's just enjoying himself. Having Meghan by his side takes the pressure off.”
