Harry and Meghan are reportedly planning to produce a Netflix movie in an effort to cement their future in Hollywood, after parting ways with music and podcast giant Spotify after a turbulent few months.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to have bought the rights to Carley Fortune’s romantic novel Meet Me At The Lake, which experts say may have cost them up to £3 million.
The production marks their first off-camera project together, in what could be a moment for their TV fortunes.
An insider told the Sun“The themes of the book grabbed the couple and it was chosen for their first adaptation with Netflix.”
It comes after the pair lost their reported £16 million deal with Spotify following a series of Meghan’s podcast Archetypes.
The production marks the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s first off-camera project together
Having signed large multi-million pound deals with giants Netflix and Spotify, as well as Harry’s own book deal, they have since faced hurdles including the loss of the Spotify partnership
The novel chosen by the couple is a romantic fiction based on two people who begin a romance with each other in their thirties
The novel chosen by the couple is a romantic fiction based on two people who begin a romance with each other in their thirties – much like the Duke and Duchess themselves.
It sold 57,000 copies in its first week alone and introduces themes of childhood trauma and postpartum depression.
But buying the rights won’t do Harry and Meghan much good any time soon – as Hollywood has come to a near standstill due to a months-long screenwriters’ strike, which many actors have joined.
Since leaving the lives of working royals, the pair have sparked controversy over their international hit Netflix series Harry and Meghan, and Prince Harry’s later release of his memoir Spare.
Both made a series of accusations against the royal family, most notably Harry’s brother, the Prince of Wales.
In one passage, the Duke of Sussex accused Prince William of assaulting him at Frogmore Cottage, pushing him so hard that he fell to the floor and fell into a dog bowl.
Despite knowing that royal life wasn’t “a world they wanted for their family,” as one friend claimed, Harry and Meghan have faced some harsh realities since they left to move their kids away from the limelight of the firm.
Having signed large multi-million pound deals with giants Netflix and Spotify, as well as Harry’s own book deal, they have since faced hurdles, including the loss of the Spotify partnership.
Meghan hosted a series of her Archetype podcast on the platform, but it has not been renewed by the streaming service and the couple announced in June that they had ‘mutually’ agreed to part ways.
Harry and Meghan have faced some harsh realities since leaving to raise their children away from the firm’s spotlight
The couple has had a turbulent year following the release of their Netflix docuseries (pictured)
The couple’s relationship with King Charles III (left) and the rest of the royal family doesn’t seem to have improved
They’ve also struggled to break into Hollywood, despite Meghan’s background as an actress on the hit series Suits.
While their docuseries Harry and Meghan has been widely viewed around the world, experts say their brand is a tough sell due to the drama surrounding it that raises customer expectations.
But Prince Harry is currently working on a series around the Invictus Games, which he has set up as an opportunity for ex-servicemen to exercise in a similar way to the Paralympics or Commonwealth Games.
Heart of Invictus is expected to release on Netflix later this year.
Their Archewell foundation has also had some bumps in the road, with several staff members previously leaving the organization, leaving the couple with multiple roles to try and fill.
The pair are also losing friends after allegedly falling out with Posh and Becks over allegations denied by the Beckhams that stories about the royal couple had been leaked to the press.
The loss of the Beckhams could be problematic for Harry and Meghan, as pundits in the US explain that celebrities are eager to distance themselves from the “melodramatic” couple.
Celebrity publicist Mitchell Jackson told the Time on Friday night: “The problem with Harry and Meghan is that after the whole New York car chase, people just feel like they’re untrustworthy and melodramatic and it’s just going to be about them.”
American producer and journalist Paula Froelich added that celebrities do not want to jeopardize their chances of international success by “taking sides” in the royal feud.
Citing the number of celebrities who aspire to take both the UK and US box office with films or plays, she said: “No one wants to be seen as taking sides and no one wants to be seen as Harry and Meghan’s friends.
“Because people think Kate and William probably won’t show up.”
Ms Froelich explained that the Prince and Princess of Wales’s ability to get international coverage means most Hollywood stars hope they will attend a premiere in London.
Representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been contacted for comment.