Netflix executives have reportedly unfollowed Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on Instagram amid reports of a cooling relationship, just as the couple announced a new polo drama series on Monday 23 March set in Wellington, Florida.
The Sussexes signed a landmark $100 million (£74.65 million) deal with Netflix back in 2020, producing hits like their 2022 documentary Harry & Meghan and Harry's 2024 polo series. But recent weeks have seen Netflix pull investment from Meghan's lifestyle brand As Ever, announced on 6 March, prompting whispers that the streamer might be stepping back.
Netflix Execs, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The unfollows came to light around a month ago, with Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos and chief content officer Bela Bajaria quietly dropping both the Sussexes' personal accounts and As Ever from their follows. Sarandos had once been close enough to let them stay at his Santa Barbara home during renovations.
The separate decision to end Netflix's investment in As Ever added another layer of intrigue.
A Netflix spokesperson framed it neutrally at the time, 'As intended from the beginning, Meghan will continue to develop the brand and move it forward independently, and we look forward to celebrating her efforts in bringing happiness to households globally.'
On the other hand, a spokesperson for As Ever told People, 'As Ever is grateful for Netflix's partnership through launch and our first year. We have experienced meaningful and rapid growth, and As Ever is now ready to stand on its own. We have an exciting year ahead and can't wait to share more.'
A source close to the brand, quoted by the same outlet, framed the shift as creative liberation for Meghan rather than corporate rejection. 'It's a really exciting time for As Ever, and Meghan is building with her team and enjoying the creative fulfilment that comes with creating a brand that's so close to the life she authentically lives,' the source said. 'This year is really about establishing the brand and scaling it.'
That account is strikingly different to the "Netflix wants nothing to do with her" narrative pushed by some commentators.
Royal‑watchers had spent much of the past year dissecting every rumour of tension, from claims the couple were 'really difficult to work with' to running tallies of their supposed 'flops'.
However, as of this reporting, the Duchess of Sussex has yet to address the issue directly.
New Polo Project Fuels Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Confusion
The polo announcement came out of nowhere like a plot twist in one of their own shows. The untitled drama, executive produced by Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, through Archewell Productions, dives into 'messy dynamics between two rival teams and the families that lead them' in polo's glitzy Florida heartland. It aims to humanise the 'sport of kings', broadening its appeal beyond the elite.
Written by Teacup creator Francisca X. Hu, it's co-produced with Gossip Girl duo Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage's Fake Empire, plus Archewell's Tracy Ryerson.
Shot partly at the US Open Polo Championship, it ties straight into Harry's lifelong passion — charity matches in the UK and US have long been his thing. No release date yet, but it follows his 2024 polo doc, widening the Sussex polo lane.
The state of the relationship between the two camps has been heavily debated of late. However, a senior Netflix executive moved last weekend to clarify whether the streamer is truly "done" with Harry and Meghan.
Bajaria herself swatted down split rumours at the Next on Netflix event last weekend. 'We still have a relationship with them. We have movies in development with them. We have an amazing doc with them,' she said.
'Deals come and go all the time, and we don't renew so many deals, those just don't get as much press for obvious reasons. There's no juicy story there.' She urged fact-checking, 'Don't believe whatever you read. Maybe we should all do a little fact-checking.'
Their debut release for Netflix was the six‑part docuseries Harry & Meghan, charting their relationship from its beginnings through their royal wedding and eventual decision to step back from official royal duties.
