In a moment that has set royal social media on fire, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are once again facing fierce backlash following reports that their lucrative Netflix deal has come to an unceremonious end — and the internet is having a field day, with Kate Middleton at the center of it.
According to widespread reports, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s $100 million partnership with Netflix has quietly fizzled out, following a string of lackluster projects and production delays under their Archewell Productions banner.
The couple signed the high-profile agreement in 2020, just months after stepping down from royal duties. It was billed as the beginning of a bold new chapter. However, nearly four years later, their content output has fallen short of expectations.
Although Netflix has yet to officially confirm the termination, industry insiders told multiple UK outlets that the streaming giant has grown “increasingly frustrated” with the pair’s inconsistent production pipeline and diminishing global buzz.
In response, X (formerly Twitter) erupted with mockery. Hashtags like #NetflixDumpsSussexes and #KateWins trended within hours of the reports. And users didn’t hold back, flooding the platform with memes and reaction GIFs — many featuring a smiling, clapping, or waving Princess Kate.
One particularly viral meme shows Kate Middleton beaming during a royal event, with the caption: “When Netflix finally sees through the drama.” Another shows her laughing beside Prince William, paired with the text: “That awkward moment when doing your duty wins over doing interviews.”
The online glee was unmistakable and for critics of Harry and Meghan, it was seen as a symbolic victory in the ongoing royal rift.
However, supporters of the Sussexes have hit back hard, labeling the celebration “cruel,” “obsessive,” and “a reflection of society’s disturbing love for public takedowns.” Many pointed out that rooting for someone’s career failure, particularly amid global unrest, says more about the audience than the subject.
Still, there’s no denying that the couple’s post-royal ventures have come under increasing scrutiny. While their 2022 Netflix docuseries “Harry & Meghan” initially drew huge viewership, it received mixed reviews from critics and failed to maintain long-term momentum.
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Follow-up projects, including animated series and development deals, either stalled or were quietly shelved, leading many to question the long-term viability of Archewell Productions in the competitive entertainment landscape.
As one industry analyst told the Daily Mail, “Netflix needs high-performing, global content. Sentimental brand recognition only gets you so far. And the Sussexes didn’t deliver enough.”
Meanwhile, the memes featuring Kate Middleton only further cement the Princess of Wales’ image as a dignified royal figure, often seen by fans as a stark contrast to Meghan’s more outspoken approach. The so-called “Kate Effect” is once again dominating headlines — even if unintentionally.
This Netflix controversy arrives at a time when Prince Harry is reportedly engaged in peace talks with King Charles, hoping to mend fractured ties with his family. However, the continued professional setbacks and the public mockery that follow them may only deepen the divide between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family.
As Meghan and Harry navigate their next steps, observers say this setback could force them to redefine their brand possibly moving away from personal revelations and leaning into new territory, such as philanthropy or scripted projects.
Whether they bounce back remains to be seen, but what’s clear is that the public’s interest in their journey isn’t going away especially when every stumble becomes meme-worthy ammunition for critics.
And while Kate Middleton continues to shine in her quiet resilience, her image — intentional or not — has become a symbol of the public’s shifting allegiances in one of the most polarizing royal rivalries of the modern era.
