Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly entangled in tense negotiations over a new $153 million deal with Netflix — one that could include an unprecedented “divorce clause,” according to RadarOnline.
While rumors of trouble in their marriage continue to swirl, insiders say the streaming giant is leveraging the couple’s current situation to push for exclusive content rights, including a potential post-split interview and even the right to cover the couple’s children if introduced publicly.
A source close to the matter claimed the talks with Netflix are drastically different compared to their initial deal in 2020. “The negotiation table couldn’t look more different from 2020, when they had Oprah Winfrey, Spotify, and Netflix all over them,” the insider said. “Netflix isn’t mucking around this time. They know Harry and Meghan need them more than the other way around.”
As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attempt to revive their media brand following several lukewarm receptions to previous projects, including Markle’s With Love, Meghan and Harry’s polo documentary, pressure is mounting.
According to insiders, discussions have become increasingly strained, with Meghan’s team rumored to be “shopping around” a potential divorce memoir, fueling speculation about a pre-arranged post-divorce interview becoming part of the Netflix agreement. “Everyone can see, with the stress of everything, that there are cracks starting to show,” said a source.
“And it’s only fair that Netflix gets first dibs on an interview if they do eventually divorce.” One sticking point is the couple’s long-standing commitment to keeping their children out of the spotlight. However, that may change under the pressure of the new deal.
“It’s obvious Meghan, like any mom, is aching to fully show off her beautiful children to the world – Harry feels the same,” said a source. “But they both agreed years ago to protect them. Until Harry can resolve his security concerns, he won’t let them face the cameras. But they may have no choice – what leverage do they have at this point?”
Adding to their challenges, Harry recently had a public falling out with Dr. Sophie Chandauka, chair of his charity Sentebale, further complicating the couple’s public image. A source revealed that their 2020 Netflix deal was an “overhead agreement,” meaning it only paid out based on produced content. “A lot of projects haven’t come to fruition,” the insider noted.
They added, “Harry and Meghan need this deal for relevance, but at what cost? Neither of them wants to sign any deal that has a divorce clause in it, and these conversations have not been easy. It’s not just about money. It’s about control.”