Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are lining up a documentary about Princess Diana as part of their new ‘first look deal’ with Netflix, it has been reported.
The streaming giant is understood to be in discussions with the couple about the programme which would mark 30 years since Diana’s death in a car crash in 1997.
It comes as Harry and Meghan announced on August 11 they had renewed their contract with Netflix which was due to expire later this year.
A long list of potential shows were put forward as part of the talks, including a second season of the Duchess’s lifestyle show ‘With Love, Meghan’, as well as a Christmas special in December.
The Sussexes are also working on ‘Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within’ – a documentary about orphaned children in Uganda, where the ‘shadows of the HIV/Aids crisis linger’.
But according to The Sun, Prince Harry is also considering a 2027 documentary on his mother Diana, which would coincide with the anniversary of her death.
Such a programme would likely be a ratings winner for Netflix, who are yet to match the success they had with the Sussexes’ six-part documentary Harry & Meghan.
An industry source said: ‘If Harry wants to do it then Netflix will bite his hand off.’
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are lining up a documentary about Princess Diana as part of their new ‘first look deal’ with Netflix, it has been reported
Princess Diana is seen visiting New York in December 1995. She was killed in a car crash two years later
Harry and Meghan (pictured on her show With Love, Meghan) announced on August 11 they had renewed their contract with Netflix which was due to expire later this year
Prince Harry, who was just 12 when Diana was killed in the horrific car crash in Paris, has spoken previously about the deep impact his mother’s death has had on him.
In his memoir Spare, the Duke opened up about the trauma he felt walking behind her coffin and wrote about his father breaking the devastating news to him.
Despite being told what had happened, Harry recalled telling himself his mother was just ‘hiding’ and not really dead – a theory he says he has often returned to for comfort many years later.
Moreover Prince Harry has already appeared in two documentaries about Diana, which were commissioned to mark the 20th anniversary of her death in 2017.
Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy featured interviews from Prince Harry and Prince William, 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 ratings hits and drew in millions of viewers.
Five years ago, Harry and Meghan secured a lucrative contract thought to be worth $100million (£74million) with Netflix after quitting as senior working royals in 2020.
Pictured: Prince William and Prince Harry with Prince Charles at Westminster Abbey for the funeral of Diana in 1997
Meghan is pictured with her husband during the Invictus Games earlier this year
Prince Harry previously appeared in a BBC documentary about Prince Diana to commemorate the 20th anniversary of her death in 2017 (pictured)
However, since signing the mega deal, Harry and Meghan have only produced one smash hit show.
‘Harry & Meghan’ was the streaming service’s biggest documentary debut, viewed in almost 29million 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.
The renewed deal was described by the Sussexes this month as ‘extending their creative partnership’ through Archewell Productions.
But the new terms are understood to be worth less for Harry and Meghan than their previous contract, according to a person familiar with the deal, and represent Netflix loosening its ties with the couple.
Leading publicist Mark Borkowski told the Daily Mail: ‘They have shot the golden goose of 2020 – more of a ‘we’ll call you’ than ‘here’s the chequebook’.
‘It’s a first-look deal, which means Netflix gets first dibs but no obligation to bankroll every semi-royal whim.
‘I reckon Netflix is trimming fat industry-wide, so this is less carte blanche, more curated cameo.
Despite being told what had happened, Harry wrote in Spare that he believed his mother was just ‘hiding’ and not really dead
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
‘They’re still in business together – Meghan’s. As ever brand and seasonal specials keep them in the Netflix shop window but make no mistake, this is a slimmed-down sequel to the blockbuster original.
‘So Harry and Meghan’s new Netflix chapter [is] less champagne budget, more Prosecco by the glass.’
However, the Duchess of Sussex said when the deal was announced last week: ‘We’re proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As Ever brand.
‘My husband and I feel inspired by our partners who work closely with us and our Archewell Productions team to create thoughtful content across genres that resonates globally, and celebrates our shared vision.’
Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, said: ‘Harry and Meghan are influential voices whose stories resonate with audiences everywhere.
‘The response to their work speaks for itself – Harry & Meghan gave viewers an intimate look into their lives and quickly became one of our most-watched documentary series.
‘More recently, fans have been inspired by With Love, Meghan, with products from the new As ever line consistently selling out in record time.
‘We’re excited to continue our partnership with Archewell Productions and to entertain our members together.’
A spokesperson for the Sussexes told the Daily Mail they would not be commenting on claims surrounding a new documentary about Princess Diana.
