Prince Harry and Meghan have had another challenging week, writes Rebecca Russell (Image: Getty / Express)
Just when you thought the Montecito dust had settled, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have managed to kick it all up again. The Sussexes have been caught up in a confusing back-and-forth over the current status of their Netflix deal.
After the streamer pulled its financial backing from Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, rumours began to circulate that those on the inside were far from thrilled with the little success the multi-million-dollar deal had produced. Whether it was claims the couple blindsided Netflix with their interview with Oprah Winfrey, or rumours that the “mood in the building is, ‘We’re done,' » it’s far from the peaceful week the couple might have hoped for.
Of course, the claims have been officially denied by Netflix and by a Sussex spokesman, but the vultures are circling, and the complicated puzzle is being unpicked piece by piece. As for whether this latest saga will dent the couple’s Hollywood reputation anymore, Nick Ede, a brand and culture expert, is clear that the pair have gone from the top of the guest list to the punchline.
“Their Netflix deal was supposed to be the big success story of their post-royal life, so any suggestion that things aren’t running smoothly immediately raises eyebrows,” Ede told me. « When everyone starts speaking out like this, it creates a sense that there’s smoke and where there’s smoke, people assume there’s fire. Claims that they’re ‘difficult to work with’ are particularly damaging in Hollywood because reputation is everything.
« From a brand perspective, it chips away at their credibility. They’ve positioned themselves as global storytellers with something important to say, but if the focus shifts to behind-the-scenes tensions rather than the work itself, their authority weakens. It makes them look less like power players and more like a couple still trying to find their footing, and it seems this footing is still on wobbly ground. »
So much for a peaceful run-up to their next ‘royal’ tour in Australia… so, sit back and observe the ultimate masterclass in inconvenient timing!
Tom Bower took aim at couple
The author of a highly-anticipated new royal book took aim at the couple (Image: PA)
Royal author Tom Bower took aim at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s « lack of original talent and suffocating self-importance » in a bombshell statement this week. He broke his silence after the Sussexes slammed his upcoming book, Betrayal, as « deranged conspiracy and melodrama ».
Referring to Harry’s looming return to his homeland for the one-year-to-go event for the Invictus Games 2027, which will be held in Birmingham, Bower blasted: « Their behaviour, lack of original talent and suffocating self-importance has made it even more important for them to return to Britain in July, meet the King and be revalidated as royals.
« That option, I believe, will be denied to them. They face an increasingly tough future. That’s the price of betraying the Royal Family since Megxit. » Ouch.
The Children’s Princess
The Princess of Wales was a hit with her younger fans at St Patrick’s Day celebrations (Image: PA)
The monarchy may be revered for its soft power, but the Princess of Wales just proved the power of play can be just as effective.
As Colonel of the Irish Guards, Catherine was on duty during the regiment’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Aldershot, but she was very nearly outdone by two extra special guests. Joining the soldiers’ families after the parade, youngsters Vienna Mills and Mila English had the Princess’s full attention – and quite right too!
“Are you excited?” Catherine asked Vienna, before telling her she had “beautiful hair” and applauding when the little girl twirled in her blue dress. Catherine, who has widely gained the unofficial nickname of ‘the Children’s Princess’ offered her hands to Vienna, who took them before swinging towards the floor. The Princess then laughed as she pulled Vienna to her feet.
Mila, with her dress matching Catherine’s, then came along and was transfixed by her special visitor.
We can’t say we blame her!
WalKING for his legacy
King Charles stunned members of the public on his coastal stroll (Image: Getty)
One small step for a man, one giant leap towards spring… well, for those of us in the UK at least!
Ditching his paperwork for a walking stick, King Charles surprised walkers enjoying a rare sunny day on Thursday by going for an hour-long walk on a « marvellous » new path named after him.
The King Charles III England Coast Path is a 2,700-mile National Trail, designed to unlock parts of England’s coastline for public access for the first time, and encourage the public to spend more time in nature. As the monarch ambled by, several members of the public, unaware he was in the area, gaped and asked, « Is that actually the King? Are you serious? »
Another man, topless and barefoot on the stony path, simply nodded and allowed his Yorkshire terrier to sniff the monarch’s feet. Charles then joked with a group of cyclists that their e-bikes were « cheating! » and told walkers he hoped he had not interrupted their peace and quiet.
William’s hard work has made youth homelessness ‘sexy’
Prince William’s homelessness project was in the spotlight this week (Image: Getty)
Having been inspired by his mother’s passion for helping the homeless, this victory must feel even sweeter for Prince William. On Thursday, a group of delegates from Australia, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands and Finland went to Bournemouth with the prince to see how his homelessness initiative, Homewards, has already started preventing youth homelessness and learn how they can replicate it in their countries.
With William’s goal to end homelessness, making it “rare, brief, and unrepeated” now entering its third year, it’s clear his mark is already being made on the subject.
“I told him he’d made youth homelessness sexy,” Francis Beecher, independent chair of Bournemouth’s Youth Homelessness Board, revealed.
Slightly stunned but clearly chuffed, William laughed: “I’ve never heard that before. I will take that as a win.”
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