Polo documentary and Netflix deal woes compound challenges for the Sussexes.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are confronting significant setbacks as 2025 looms, with their multimillion-dollar Netflix deal at risk and criticism mounting over their latest documentary.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Netflix contract is set to expire in the coming year, and their recent project—a documentary centred on Polo—has been described as a "misstep" by PR experts.
Renae Smith told Express that the couple’s choice of content missed the mark, straying from themes tied to their core values, such as mental health or social justice. “A better approach might have been to focus on resilience or community empowerment through sport,” Smith said. She added that projects aligned with their personal brand would have resonated more deeply with audiences.
The Polo documentary, Smith claimed, is “unlikely to save their Netflix deal.” She noted, “Netflix will need assurance that they can consistently produce content with significant cultural impact.”
Adding to their troubles, King Charles delivered a Christmas speech that subtly excluded both Prince Harry and Prince Andrew. Royal historian Dr Tessa Dunlop remarked, “The King has clearly made up his mind about how to ‘act for the good of all,’ choosing to focus on family strengths, not weaknesses.”
As the Sussexes face uncertainty in their professional ventures and strained royal relations, the coming year poses critical challenges for the couple in maintaining their influence and relevance.
