The Sussexes leave behind a trail of Netflix documentaries, a Spotify podcast and jam.
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, came to the U.S. with grand ambitions to become media moguls.
As they prepare to return to the U.K. later this month, they leave behind a trail of entertainment projects—some successful, some not—that they embarked on after their move to Montecito in 2020.
The couple landed a $100 million deal with Netflix and another worth around $20 million at Spotify, according to The Wall Street Journal reporting.
Their ventures were most successful when they spilled royal secrets, offering peeks behind the palace curtain. But other endeavors, including a documentary series about polo and a podcast about female founders, made less noise. In 2023, the Journal reported that their deals have “have led to more cancellations and rejections than produced shows.” That same year, Bill Simmons, podcaster and head of talk strategy at Spotify, called the duo “grifters” after their deal with the company ended. Simmons did not respond to a request for comment.
In 2025, Netflix announced that it was moving the couple to a first-look deal, in which the streamer would have dibs on material from their production company, Archewell, but it could also live elsewhere. They executive-produced “Cookie Queens,” a documentary about Girl Scouts selling cookies, which was released via Roadside Attractions earlier this month.
Here, a look back at six years of projects and how they fared.
‘Harry & Meghan’
What: A six-part Netflix documentary series about the couple’s lives, their courtship and their early marriage
Released: Dec. 8, 2022
What we saw: The series featured footage from Meghan and Harry’s personal video diaries. “I just really want to get to the other side of all of this,” Meghan says in one entry, referring to the media maelstrom during their time in Britain.
The verdict: “Harry & Meghan” drew huge numbers for Netflix. Within four days of its release, it became the streamer’s most-viewed documentary.
‘Archetypes’
What: A Spotify podcast hosted by Meghan, who said she intended to “dissect, explore, and subvert the labels that try to hold women back”
Released: Aug. 23, 2022
What we heard: In the 12 episodes, Meghan would try to break down myths that get ascribed to women. She tackled “diva” with Mariah Carey and “bimbo” with Paris Hilton.
The verdict: Although “Archetypes” initially topped Spotify’s podcast charts, the company didn’t renew it for a second season and ended its partnership with Meghan and Harry’s Archewell Audio after 2½ years.
‘Spare’
What: Prince Harry’s memoir about his life in the royal family. Ghostwritten by J.R. Moehringer, to Penguin Random House, it sold for a reported $20 million.
Released: Jan. 10, 2023
What we learned: Filled with juicy details, the book highlighted Harry’s fractured relationship with his brother Prince William, who he alleged “parroted the press narrative” that Meghan was difficult and “knocked” him to the floor during a fight.
The verdict: On the first day of release, “Spare” sold over 1.4 million copies in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Penguin Random House noted it was the largest first-day sales for a nonfiction book in the company’s history.
What: A Netflix show featuring Meghan cooking and hosting famous guests
Released: March 4, 2025
What we saw: In the first episode of the first season, Meghan makes a “family favorite” pasta dish for her makeup artist friend Daniel Martin, which created a huge stir. Instead of cooking the pasta separately, Meghan puts it directly on top of tomatoes with some lemon zest and greens, then pours boiling water over the whole mixture.
The verdict: Netflix said in August 2025 that the show was the platform’s “most-watched” culinary show since its release with 5.3 million views in the first half of 2025. A second season and a holiday special followed, but nothing since December 2025.
What: A homegoods brand whose products include jam, candles and “flower sprinkles”
Released: April 2, 2025
What product popped: Jam. Meghan sells fruit spreads in $12 individual jars or $42 for a trio. In an Instagram video announcing the product line, Markle declared: “I think we are all clear at this point that jam is my jam.”
The verdict: While Netflix was initially a partner in the brand, that union has since ended. In March, a spokesperson for the company said in a statement: “We have experienced meaningful and rapid growth and As ever is now ready to stand on its own.” According to the Journal, the brand had leftover perishable inventory that Netflix employees were encouraged to take home before the partnership dissolved.
