MEGHAN MARKLE and Prince Harry’s Netflix content has come under fire as a royal author has branded the couple’s only greenlit offering for the platform as “old news”.
The first is a documentary entitled Heart of Invictus, which charts competitors attending the sporting event created specifically for military servicemen and women, or veterans.
The Invictus Games, launched by Prince Harry, took place last month in the Netherlands and Meghan and Harry attended the first few days of the sporting event.
A Netflix film crew followed the couple around capturing footage – including the couple taking part in a driving challenge in mini Land Rovers with children – for use in the docuseries.
‘Big concern’ Meghan and Harry sent Netflix warning as Sussexes produce ‘old news’ (Image: Getty)
The couple were both in attendance for the opening days of the Invictus Games (Image: Getty)
However, a royal author and branding expert claims the public may not be interested in this content by the time it’s streamed on Netflix.
Cele Otnes, co-author of Royal Fever: The British Monarchy in Consumer Culture, claimed by the time the show comes out its content is “old news”.
She notes this is because royal watchers have already seen how the event unfolded on social media at the time, and may not care to watch the show charting it months later.
She notes this is because the “world has changed so much” and we often consume media instantaneously and through social media rather than traditional routes.
Ms Otnes, a professor of marketing specialising in how the Royal Family brands themselves told Express.co.uk: “You know, my big concern about this whole Netflix thing is, that the world has changed so much.
The Invictus Games took place last month in The Hague (Image: Getty)
Netflix crews followed the couple while they were in the Netherlands for the Games (Image: Getty)
“Why do I want to watch the documentary in two months? I mean, it’s old news.”
Prince Harry, who founded the games, is expected to appear in the show as well as serve as executive producer on the series.
In a statement announcing the project, the Duke said: “Since the very first Invictus Games back in 2014, we knew that each competitor would contribute in their own exceptional way to a mosaic of resilience, determination, and resolve.
Heart of Invictus was one of two Netflix projects announced by the couple (Image: Getty)
He added: “As Archewell Productions’ first series with Netflix, in partnership with the Invictus Games Foundation, I couldn’t be more excited for the journey ahead or prouder of the Invictus community for continuously inspiring global healing, human potential and continued service.”
The couple were also due to release a children’s animated series with the working title ‘Pearl’.
However it, along with at least two other children’s shows, was scrapped by Netflix amid a series of cost-cutting measures.
Harry launched the Invictus Games in 2014 (Image: Getty)
The streaming giant was hit hard by declining subscriber figures and a drop in share prices meaning a series of cutbacks were implemented.
The programme was still in its production phase and Meghan was due to serve as executive producer alongside David Furnish, Elton John’s husband.
The story was to centre around a 12-year-old girl who learns from inspirational women throughout history.
A source has claimed the couple are also reportedly taking part in an “at-home with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex-style” docuseries.
A producer source told Page Six “the timing is still being discussed, things are up in the air.”
Source: EXPRESS CO UK
