At 09:28 PM +07 on Friday, August 1, 2025, a new chapter of discord unfolded for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as reports surfaced of a heated argument between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle over the non-renewal of their $100 million Netflix contract. The lucrative deal, signed in 2020 after their exit from royal duties, was set to expire in September without renewal, a decision that has left the couple’s future in Hollywood uncertain. What began as a mutual parting of ways has spiraled into a public blame game, with each pointing fingers at the other for the deal’s collapse. This development has reignited scrutiny of their post-royal ventures, exposing cracks in their once-unified front and raising questions about their next steps.
The Netflix partnership, brokered through their production company Archewell Productions, was hailed as a cornerstone of their new life in Montecito, California. It yielded five projects, including the record-breaking docuseries Harry & Meghan, which amassed 81.55 million hours viewed in its debut week, and Meghan’s lifestyle show With Love, Meghan. However, subsequent releases like Polo and Heart of Invictus failed to replicate that success, with viewership figures plummeting—Polo drew only 500,000 households, and With Love, Meghan ranked a modest 383rd with 5.3 million views in the first half of 2025. Industry insiders suggest this decline prompted Netflix to shift its strategy away from multi-year deals, a move also affecting other high-profile partnerships like that of Barack and Michelle Obama. Yet, the couple’s internal discord has turned a business setback into a personal saga.
The Argument Unfolds
Sources close to the couple reveal that the argument erupted late last week, triggered by Netflix’s confirmation to People magazine that the contract would not be renewed. The initial announcement framed the decision as amicable, with a source telling The Sun, “There’s no animosity from either side. Things have just run their course.” However, behind closed doors, the narrative shifted. Harry, reportedly frustrated by the financial loss—estimated at millions annually—blamed Meghan’s focus on her lifestyle brand, As Ever, which has seen sell-out launches but diverted her attention from Netflix projects. Meghan, in turn, accused Harry of mismanaging their media strategy, arguing that his insistence on personal passion projects like Polo diluted their appeal to the streaming giant.
The clash reportedly intensified when Meghan pointed to the success of With Love, Meghan’s second season, already filmed and slated for a fall release, as evidence of her contribution. Harry countered that her show’s 5.3 million views paled in comparison to the initial Harry & Meghan hype, suggesting her solo ventures failed to sustain the partnership. Friends of the couple describe the exchange as raw, with Meghan questioning Harry’s leadership since their royal exit, while Harry expressed regret over tying their brand to her lifestyle pursuits rather than a broader content slate. This mutual recrimination has left their team scrambling to contain the fallout.
A History of High Stakes
The Netflix deal was a bold gamble when signed in September 2020, promising a platform for “impactful storytelling” on mental health, social justice, and lifestyle. Harry & Meghan delivered an explosive debut, but the couple’s output struggled to maintain momentum. Heart of Invictus and Live to Lead garnered praise for their causes but lacked mass appeal, while Polo—Harry’s pet project—faced criticism for its niche focus. Meghan’s With Love, Meghan, despite featuring stars like Mindy Kaling, failed to crack Netflix’s top 300, a blow amplified by Suits reruns outperforming it. Netflix insiders reportedly viewed the deal as a one-hit wonder, capitalizing on the couple’s royal exit narrative before interest waned.
This backdrop fueled the blame game. Harry’s allies argue that Meghan’s pivot to As Ever—a brand launched alongside the series with Netflix as a partner—stretched their resources thin, with her prioritizing jam and candle sales over content production. Meghan’s camp retorts that Harry’s reluctance to diversify beyond his own interests limited their portfolio, noting that her show’s renewal for a second season shows stronger viewer interest than his documentaries. The couple’s Spotify deal, which ended in 2023 after failing to meet productivity benchmarks, adds weight to these tensions, with both now wary of another failed venture.
Public and Private Fallout
The argument’s leak to the press has amplified public fascination, with social media platforms like X buzzing with opinions. Supporters of Meghan highlight her entrepreneurial drive, with one user posting, “She’s building an empire while Harry clings to the past.” Critics, however, see Harry as the victim, with another commenting, “Meghan’s turned their brand into a lifestyle gimmick—Netflix saw through it.” The couple’s silence on the matter—neither has issued a statement—contrasts with their usual openness, suggesting a strategic retreat to manage the narrative.
Privately, the rift has strained their inner circle. Staff at Archewell Productions report a tense atmosphere, with some attributing the Netflix exit to misaligned priorities. A source told The Daily Mail, “They’re running out of options. Harry’s loss of revenue hits hard, but Meghan’s focus on As Ever isn’t delivering consistency.” The couple’s recent public appearances—cozy snaps at Beyoncé’s tour and a hospital dance video—now seem like attempts to project unity, though insiders suggest these were pre-planned to counter the Netflix news.
The Netflix Context
Netflix’s decision aligns with a broader shift toward flexible, project-specific deals, as seen with the Obamas’ transition to a first-look agreement. CEO Ted Sarandos praised Meghan’s cultural influence in 2022, citing the Harry & Meghan trailer’s global impact, but recent engagement reports indicate a cooling interest. With Love, Meghan’s second season will proceed, and As Ever remains tied to Netflix’s consumer-products division, hinting at a partial ongoing relationship. However, the end of the $100 million deal—worth £75 million—marks a financial and reputational hit, with Paramount+ rumored to be a potential suitor for future projects.
This strategic pivot by Netflix raises questions about the couple’s marketability. While Harry & Meghan broke records, the decline in viewership suggests their narrative has saturated. Meghan’s brand success contrasts with Harry’s documentary flops, fueling their mutual blame. Some speculate Netflix’s new deal with King Charles III and Idris Elba for a King’s Trust documentary may have influenced their reluctance to renew, avoiding overlap with royal content. Yet, the lack of animosity reported by sources suggests a pragmatic split rather than a feud.
Implications for the Future
The argument’s repercussions could reshape the Sussexes’ trajectory. Financially, the loss of Netflix revenue—estimated at $20 million annually—pressures their Montecito lifestyle, especially with a downsized team and stalled projects like Meet Me At The Lake. Meghan’s As Ever offers a lifeline, but its sustainability depends on consistent output, which her podcast hiatus suggests may lag. Harry, meanwhile, faces a return to the sidelines, with his Invictus Games focus potentially his next stage, though without Netflix’s backing, its reach may shrink.
Relationally, the blame game risks deepening their divide. Friends hope this is a temporary flare-up, given their history of weathering storms, from Megxit to tabloid scrutiny. However, the public nature of their spat—leaked despite no official statement—could erode trust, especially if William or Charles exploit it to widen the royal rift. Harry’s recent letter to a Charles confidant, seeking reconciliation, now seems overshadowed by this domestic turmoil, complicating any return to the fold.
For Hollywood, the Sussexes’ fall from grace serves as a cautionary tale. Their royal allure drew initial interest, but without fresh content, they risk fading into irrelevance. The blame game, while messy, may force a reckoning—either to realign their partnership or pursue separate paths. As the fall season approaches with With Love, Meghan’s return, all eyes will be on whether they can salvage their brand or if this marks the end of their joint venture.
In a saga marked by triumph and tribulation, this latest chapter reveals the human cost of their high-stakes gamble. Whether they reconcile or drift apart, the Netflix collapse has exposed vulnerabilities that could redefine their legacy.
