In a surprising turn of events, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, abruptly cancelled a grand celebration planned at their Montecito home earlier this month. The party, intended to mark American Independence Day on July 4, was called off just three days before the event, leading to speculation about the reasons behind the sudden decision.
According to sources close to the couple, the decision to cancel the party was a direct response to the critical press attention surrounding their Netflix deal. Gazebos had been erected in the garden of their luxurious home for the gathering but were pulled down when Meghan "instructed the planners to call it off."
The Sussexes are currently in the third year of a five-year partnership with Netflix, a deal reportedly worth $100 million. However, the couple's output has been under scrutiny, with less than a handful of documentaries produced to date. The overall deal, signed in 2020, called for a range of content, including nonfiction programs, films, and children's programming.
The cancellation of Meghan's animated series, "Pearl," and the lack of an Emmy nomination for their 2022 docuseries, "Harry & Meghan," have raised questions about the couple's ability to deliver on their contractual obligations. The Duke of Sussex's documentary, "Heart of Invictus," is set to premiere on Netflix in either August or September, but no other projects have been announced.
The cancellation of the party came on the heels of a similar setback with Spotify. The audio streaming giant ended its deal with the Sussexes after they failed to produce the required amount of content. The fallout from the Spotify deal and the subsequent critical press attention reportedly left the couple furious and led to the abrupt cancellation of their Fourth of July celebration.
The couple's representatives have denied that their Netflix deal is under threat. However, sources suggest that the remainder of the deal is under review and relies on the couple producing compelling content ideas. As the Sussexes navigate their post-royal life, the pressure to deliver on their high-profile deals continues to mount.
