Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘offered a new Netflix deal’ to produce Princess Diana documentary – but sources close to the Sussexes’ deal deny claims

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been offered a new contract by Netflix to produce a documentary about Princess Diana‘s death in 1997, according to a report.

The three-part show would air in 2027 to mark the 30th anniversary of her death in a tragic car crash in Paris.

A Los Angeles source told The Express: ‘The idea is that it would be a solo project for Harry, who would be a co-executive producer as well as hosting and narrating the series.

‘He is uniquely placed, not only to talk about the woman he knew as his mother, but also to examine her role as an enduring social and cultural icon still beloved by so many.’

The source added that although nothing had been agreed upon, the series is being talked about in a positive way, and Harry might see it as a stepping stone to building bridges with William and the rest of his family.

However, a source close to the Sussexes’ partnership with Netflix told The Independent that the report is ‘not true’, but did not provide further comment. 

A possible documentary of such a personal undertaking would be massive for Prince Harry, who was only 12 years old when his mother died.

His memoir Spare begins with how he was awoken by his father Charles who told him the news that Diana had been killed in the crash. 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been offered a new contract by Netflix to produce a documentary about Princess Diana’s death in 1997, according to a report

Princess Diana visiting New York in December 1995

Harry has spoken several times over the years about how Diana’s death affected him. Pictured: Prince William and Prince Harry with Prince Charles at Westminster Abbey for the funeral of Diana in 1997

Despite being told what had happened, he recalled telling himself his mother was just ‘hiding’ and not really dead – a theory he revealed later in the book that he often returned to for his own comfort many years later. 

Prince Harry has said in interviews that he ‘honours his mother’ in everything he does and that he is ‘his mother’s son’.

Harry, alongside his brother William, has appeared in and commissioned two separate documentaries about Diana to mark the 20th anniversary of her death in 2017.

Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy featured interviews from the two princes, alongside unseen photographs, archival footage and home movies from Diana’s childhood.

The other documentary, Diana, 7 Days, focused on her death and funeral and the effect it had on those closest to her, as well as the grieving public.

Both shows were a ratings hit and drew in millions of viewers.

It is thought the alleged new show on Diana could be a lifeline for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as their generous £77.2million agreement with the streaming giant comes to an end this year. 

Since Harry and Meghan signed the mega deal in 2020, they have produced one smash hit show and a series of relative duds, sparking speculation Netflix might soon cut ties.

Prince Harry previously appeared in a BBC documentary about Prince Diana to commemorate the 20th anniversary of her death in 2017 (pictured), but there are now rumours he could be doing another one with Netflix in 2027

Despite being told what had happened, Harry wrote in Spare that his mother was just ‘hiding’ and not really dead – a theory he revealed later in the book that he often returned to for his own comfort many years later

Princess Diana’s brother, the Earl Spencer, alongside Prince William, Prince Harry and the Prince of Wales as they wait for the hearse carrying the coffin of Diana, Princess of Wales to leave Westminster Abbey following her funeral service

In a 2017 documentary, William described the walk behind his mother’s coffin as ‘the hardest things I have ever had to do’

William said in a 2017 BBC documentary: ‘I just remember hiding behind my fringe basically, at a time when I had a lot of hair, and my head’s down a lot’

The biographical ‘Harry & Meghan’ was the streaming service’s biggest documentary debut, viewed in almost 29 million households in its first four days, and proved a global sensation.

But their other offerings, such as documentaries on the Invictus Games, social justice and the elitist sport Polo have all failed to pull ratings.

Some commentators have suggested that it is only when Harry and Meghan discuss the Royal Family that large numbers of viewers tune in.

It is still not clear if Meghan’s latest cookery series, With Love, Meghan, which came out earlier this month, has done enough to salvage the deal with the broadcaster. 

The lifestyle show cracked the Netflix top 10 list, landing at number six in both the UK and US. 

However it has been widely panned by critics across the political spectrum as being out of touch and inauthentic. 

Netflix co-chief executive officer Ted Sarandos backed the Sussexes publicly last week when he hit back at the poor reviews, telling Variety: ‘We’re a passive partner in Meghan’s company and it’s a big discovery model for us right now.’

When asked what motivated him to ‘bet’ on the Duchess, Sarandos replied: ‘I think Meghan is underestimated in terms of her influence on culture… People are fascinated with Meghan Markle. She and Harry are overly dismissed.’

Despite the poor reviews for With Love, Meghan, the series has been renewed for a second season – with Netflix standing firmly behind the beleaguered royal. 

Ted Sarandos, the co-CEO of Netflix, is standing by Meghan and said that she has been ‘underestimated’ and ‘overly dismissed’ 

Sarandos also admitted that Netflix has a stake in her lifestyle business As Ever, which sells the various products – from edible flowers to jams and tea – that are featured in her show

Mr Sarandos also admitted that Netflix has a stake in her lifestyle business As Ever, which sells the various products – from edible flowers to jams and tea – that are featured in her show. 

He added: ‘When we dropped the trailer for the “Harry & Meghan” doc series [in 2022], everything on-screen was dissected in the press for days.

‘The shoes she was wearing sold out all over the world. The Hermès blanket that was on the chair behind her sold out everywhere in the world. People are fascinated with Meghan Markle. She and Harry are overly dismissed.’

Netflix has already said that it will set aside space in two of its brand-new stores for Markle’s As Ever products.

The first of the As Ever stands will open in two of America’s biggest retail center, the King of Prussia Mall in Philadelphia and the giant Dallas Galleria.

But while details of products such as jam and pancake mix have emerged, the full range and price points have not.

With Love, Meghan was watched by 526,000 households in the first five days it was available on Netflix since its release on March 4, according to data gathered by Samba TV.

But by comparison, Harry & Meghan drew in 2.1 million households in approximately the same number of days – making it four times more successful.

It is still not clear if Meghan’s latest cookery series, With Love, Meghan, which came out earlier this month has done enough to salvage the deal with the broadcaster 

With Love, Meghan was watched by more people aged between 45 to 54 than any other age group. 

A new season does not mean her Netflix contract has been renewed, a source told DailyMail.com last week. 

They explained, ‘I know they filmed the shows back-to-back so in theory there is no second season it’s like with lots of Netflix shows it is already in the bag at the same time as the first one.

‘What this does is allow edits to be made to the show from feedback from press and Netflix viewers. It’s clever and cost effective. So no the overall contract hasn’t been renewed yet.’

The source added that bosses were ‘worried’ about the poor reviews – especially as they are a business partner in her lifestyle brand, which will launch in their bricks and mortar stores in the coming months.

‘The industry bibles like The Hollywood Reporter and Variety are not keen on it’, the insider said.

‘Netflix bosses are all worried now because they have invested a lot in the product line. They don’t know when and how to roll it all out.’

But as well as her deal with Netflix, Meghan is also continuing her podcast career, with the Duchess revealing the trailer for her new podcast earlier today.   

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, gave her 2.6million Instagram followers a closer look inside her wardrobe when she launched an online shop

Meghan took some criticism for seemingly using her children to promote business ventures

The Duchess of Sussex is also launching a new podcast called ‘Confessions Of A Female Founder’

She told listeners it will give them the ‘kind of advice that turns small ideas into billion-dollar businesses’.

The Duchess of Sussex added in the preview for Confessions of a Female Founder, her new production with Lemonada Media: ‘We’re going to get some girl talk!’

Meghan also giggled about whether one of her business guests is single, in the one-minute preview ahead of the first of eight weekly episodes out on April 8.

It comes hours after Meghan launched a new digital shop allowing fans to buy clothing, accessories and jewellery she recommends. In exchange, the Duchess will earn commission as high as 30 per cent for purchases made.

The ShopMy site features 32 items ‘curated’ by the duchess with ‘affiliated’ links to the brands’ websites.

While there are a few affordable items, including a £99 Uniqlo trenchcoat, many seem way out of the average shopper’s budget. Others appear to shamelessly highlight her royal links or endorse her well-connected friends’ ventures.