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Netflix Finally Addresses Fate Of Prince Harry & Meghan Markle's Deal After The Royal Couple's Spotify Exit

Home / News / Netflix Finally Addresses Fate Of Prince Harry & Meghan Markle's Deal After The Royal Couple's Spotify Exit

By Favour Adegoke on June 28, 2023 at 6:00 AM EDT

Netflix is sticking with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for the foreseeable future.

The streaming platform recently released a statement to note that they "value" their relationship with the duo and are looking forward to working with them on new projects.

It comes after the Sussexes had their deal with Spotify terminated and their Archetype trademark application rejected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Keep on reading to learn more.

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'We Value Our Partnership'

Prince Harry Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle Duchess of Sussex attending the Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen, marking the monarch's 70 year Platinum Jubilee, at St Paul’s Cathedral in London. 03 Jun 2022
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Per People magazine, Netflix is keen on continuing their relationship with Markle and Harry despite the duo recently losing their podcast deal with Spotify.

A spokesperson for the streaming platform revealed that they "value" their "partnership" with the royal couple and are hoping to release new projects in collaboration with the couple's "Archewell Productions."

"We value our partnership with Archewell Productions…. we'll continue to work together on a number of projects, including the upcoming documentary series Heart of Invictus," said the spokesperson.

The deal between the Sussexes and Netflix was signed in 2020, shortly after the duo stepped down from being senior royals and relocated several thousand miles to the U.S.

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It has already produced one major project, dubbed "Harry and Meghan," which gave viewers insight into Harry and Meghan's relationship, from the early days of their courtship to the issues and controversies that spurred them to sever ties with the royal family.

At the time of its release in 2022, the documentary set a new record as the biggest documentary debut week in the history of Netflix, despite being slammed by many critics.

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Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Lost Their Spotify Deal

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walking and smiling
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Netflix's reassuring statement will act as a salve for Harry and Meghan, who recently lost their podcast deal with Spotify. The decision to terminate the deal was reportedly "mutual" and was noted in a joint statement from both parties.

The loss of the deal means that the duo won't earn anywhere near the entire amount agreed upon when they inked the deal in 2020. It only produced 13 hours of content, mostly focused on the couple's podcast series.

After the termination of the deal was announced, a source speculated that Spotify parted ways with the Sussexes because the podcast didn't live up to its potential.

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"Although 'Archetypes' did well and got a couple of awards, when you go into a deal like this, to have just one series over that course of time is not great," said the source, per Page Six.

Prince Harry & Meghan Markle's Trademark Application Was Rejected

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
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Just as the duo was reeling from the Spotify blow, they had their application to trademark the name "Archetype" rejected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

According to the Daily Mail, the couple had applied to trademark the name for their "Archetype" podcast series, which focused on women's issues and was launched in 2021.

However, the application was rejected due to the "likelihood of confusion" with an existing trademark owned by Archetypes LLC, a company based in Arizona. Archetypes LLC had earlier patented the trademark for its collection of books and articles on "nutrition, fitness, sexuality, and psychological self-improvement," among others.

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Still, the failure to get the trademark appears not to be permanent, as the couple's lawyer has requested an additional three months to refine their application.

Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Have Hefty Bills To Pay

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle smiling
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Since losing their Spotify deal, there has been speculation that the couple could face challenges in managing their substantial expenses.

Presently, the Sussexes pay a significant mortgage on their expansive Tuscan-style property, which they acquired for $14.7 million in June 2020, in addition to other financial obligations.

They are also responsible for an annual property tax of nearly $200,000, along with covering staff salaries and the maintenance costs of their residence. Their private security detail demands an estimated $2 million each year. Furthermore, Harry's ongoing legal battles with the British press have resulted in considerable legal fees.

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Despite their money issues, a source opined that the former senior royals are not "broke, but they're going to have to keep spending their money instead of banking it."

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