Queen Elizabeth and Netflix's Ted Sarandos Shared Caution Over Dealing With Harry and Meghan

New reports reveal the late monarch and the streaming executive both became wary of direct interactions with the Sussexes.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:54pm

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A new biography of Queen Elizabeth II and a recent Variety exposé on Netflix's relationship with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle both reveal that the late monarch and the streaming giant's co-CEO, Ted Sarandos, grew cautious about their direct dealings with the Montecito-based couple. The queen reportedly asked for a lady-in-waiting to be present when Harry called, while Sarandos allegedly wanted a lawyer on the line during conversations with Meghan.

Why it matters

The reports highlight the growing wariness among powerful public figures when it comes to interacting with Harry and Meghan, who have developed a reputation for monetizing royal family secrets and making controversial claims about the monarchy. The queen's and Netflix's experiences underscore the challenges the Sussexes have faced in maintaining relationships and business partnerships since stepping back from royal life.

The details

According to the new biography 'Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History' by Hugo Vickers, the late monarch became increasingly distressed by Harry and Meghan's actions in the final years of her life. The queen reportedly asked for a lady-in-waiting to be present whenever Harry called from California, especially after the couple's bombshell 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview. Vickers writes that the queen 'clearly wanted some kind of protection' when dealing with her grandson. Similarly, the Variety report states that Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos also became wary of taking business calls from Meghan without a lawyer present, as he had grown 'personally fed up' with the couple during their five-year partnership with the streaming giant.

  • In March 2021, Harry and Meghan's explosive Oprah Winfrey interview aired while Prince Philip was hospitalized.
  • Prince Philip died a month later, in April 2021.
  • In June 2022, Harry and Meghan visited the queen at Windsor Castle, with a lady-in-waiting present, for the first time Lilibet met her great-grandmother.

The players

Queen Elizabeth II

The late monarch who reigned over the United Kingdom for 70 years until her death in 2022. She reportedly grew increasingly cautious in her interactions with her grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle after they left royal life.

Ted Sarandos

The co-CEO of Netflix who allegedly became wary of taking direct business calls from Meghan Markle without a lawyer present, as the streaming giant's partnership with the Sussexes became increasingly problematic.

Prince Harry

The Duke of Sussex who, along with his wife Meghan, left the royal family in 2020 and has since had a strained relationship with his grandmother the queen.

Meghan Markle

The Duchess of Sussex who, along with her husband Prince Harry, left the royal family in 2020 and has since been accused of monetizing royal family secrets and having a difficult business relationship with Netflix.

Hugo Vickers

A longtime friend of the royal family and the author of the new biography 'Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History,' which reveals details about the queen's caution in dealing with Harry and Meghan.

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What they’re saying

“The distress the Sussexes caused the queen in the last years of her life cannot be overestimated.”

— Hugo Vickers, Author

“We're done.”

— Netflix insider

“This is blatantly false. In fact, Meghan texts and speaks with Mr. Sarandos regularly, and has been to his home, sans lawyers.”

— Michael J. Kump, Attorney for the Sussexes

What’s next

The Variety reporter has stood by his story about Netflix's frustrations with the Sussexes, while the author of the Queen Elizabeth biography has also defended his claims about the monarch's wariness in dealing with Harry and Meghan. It remains to be seen if the Sussexes will respond further to these reports.

The takeaway

The experiences of both Queen Elizabeth II and Netflix's Ted Sarandos highlight the growing caution among powerful public figures when it comes to direct interactions with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, underscoring the challenges the couple has faced in maintaining relationships and business partnerships since stepping back from royal life.