Royal Expert Disputes Sussexes’ Delay of Netflix Docuseries

A royal expert has refuted claims suggesting that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are seeking to postpone the release of their upcoming docuseries on Netflix.

Recent reports indicated that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were considering delaying the airing of the documentary following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Sources close to the couple alleged that Harry and Meghan aimed to minimize references to King Charles III to avoid appearing insensitive.

However, royal commentator Neil Sean contradicted these assertions, asserting that it was Netflix, not the Sussexes, who were responsible for the delay in broadcasting the series.

During an appearance on Fox Business in the US, Mr. Sean emphasized that Netflix's decision to stall the release was primarily due to a lack of sufficient content.

He dismissed claims that the Sussexes intended to omit unfavorable comments about the royal family as inaccurate.

According to Mr. Sean, a reliable source informed him that the documentary lacked substantial content, citing footage from the Invictus Games in the Netherlands and snippets from events in New York and the UK.

The absence of footage from significant royal occasions contributed to the dilemma faced by Netflix in finalizing the production.

Contrary to speculations that Harry and Meghan were orchestrating the postponement of the docuseries until 2023, sources revealed that similar deliberations had occurred regarding Harry's forthcoming memoir with Penguin Random House.

The potential delay in the series release, which coincided with the premiere of the fifth season of “The Crown,” sparked discussions within the entertainment industry.

Insiders indicated that the couple's preference to hold off on the release raised concerns about the fate of the project and its alignment with Netflix's streaming schedule.

Netflix executives, particularly CEO Ted Sarandos, faced mounting pressure to expedite the completion of the docuseries to meet audience expectations.

Despite efforts to accelerate the production process, recent revelations in the Mail on Sunday suggested that palace insiders were exploring strategies to deter Prince Harry from publishing his memoir.

Fears of potentially damaging disclosures in the book heightened apprehensions within royal circles, despite assurances that Harry aimed to temper the content following the Queen's demise.

The establishment of Uchwell Productions by the Sussexes aimed to bolster their creative endeavors, including collaborations with Netflix such as the shelved project, Pearl.

The cancellation of Pearl amidst a decline in Netflix subscribers underscored the challenges facing the streaming platform and the broader entertainment industry.

The forthcoming docuseries, “Heart of Invictus,” centered on the Prince's advocacy for the Invictus Games, symbolizing a pivotal moment in Harry and Meghan's partnership with Netflix.

Despite the anticipation surrounding the collaboration between the Sussexes and Netflix, the delay in releasing a finalized product raised questions about the viability of their creative ventures.

The uncertainty surrounding the fate of the docuseries mirrored the broader challenges confronting Netflix, which experienced a significant market devaluation earlier this year.

As the entertainment landscape undergoes transformative shifts, the future of the Sussexes' media projects remains intertwined with the evolving dynamics of the industry.