Harry and Meghan are understood to be planning to produce a Netflix movie in a bid to firm up their futures in Hollywood after a turbulent few months saw them part ways with music and podcast giant Spotify.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to have bought the rights to the romantic novel Meet Me At The Lake by Carley Fortune, which experts estimate could have cost them up to £3million.
The production will mark their first off-camera project together, in what could be a make or break moment for their TV fortunes.
An insider told the Sun: ‘The themes of the book gripped the couple and it was chosen for their first adaptation with Netflix.’
It comes after the couple lost their reported-£16million deal with Spotify after one series of Meghan’s podcast Archetypes.
The production will mark the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s first off-camera project together
Having signed major 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 kindle a romance with one another in their 30s
The novel chosen by the couple is a romantic fiction based on two people who kindle a romance with one another in their 30s – much like the Duke and Duchess themselves.
It sold 57,000 copies in its first week alone and introduces themes including childhood trauma and post-natal depression.
But the purchase of the rights will do Harry and Meghan little imminent good – because Hollywood has all but grind to a halt due to a screenwriters strike that has lasted for months, which many actors have joined.
Since leaving the life of working royals, the couple have caused controversy over their international hit Netflix series Harry and Meghan, and Prince Harry’s later release of his memoir Spare.
Both made a string 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 attacking him at Frogmore Cottage, pushing him so hard that he fell to the floor and into a dog bowl.
Despite knowing that royal life was not ‘a world they wanted for their family’, as a friend has claimed, Harry and Meghan have faced some hard realities since they left to bring up their children away from the limelight of the Firm.
Having signed major 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 they had ‘mutually’ agreed to part ways.
Harry and Meghan have faced some hard realities since they left to bring up their children away from the limelight of the Firm
The couple have had a turbulent year after the release of their Netflix docuseries (pictured)
The couple’s relationship with King Charles III (left) and the rest of the royal family does not appear to have improved
They have also struggled to break into Hollywood, despite Meghan’s background as an actress in the hit-series Suits.
Although their docuseries Harry and Meghan was watched extensively all over the world, experts say their brand is a tricky one to sell, due to the drama surrounding them raising clients’ expectations.
But Prince Harry is currently working on a series based around the Invictus Games, which he set up as an opportunity for ex-service people to compete in sports in a similar way to the Paralympics or Commonwealth games.
Heart of Invictus is expected to be released on Netflix later this year.
Their foundation Archewell has also hit some bumps in the road, with multiple staff members previously quitting the organisation, leaving multiple roles for the couple to try and fill.
The pair are also losing friends after reportedly falling out with Posh and Becks over allegations denied by the Beckhams that stories about the royal couple had been leaked to the press.
Losing the Beckhams could be problematic for Harry and Meghan as experts in the US explain celebrities are keen to distance themselves from the ‘melodramatic’ couple.
Celebrity publicist Mitchell Jackson told the Times on Friday night: ‘The problem with Harry and Meghan is after the whole car chase thing in New York, people just feel like they’re untrustworthy and melodramatic and it’s just going to revolve around them.’
American producer and journalist Paula Froelich added that celebrities do not want to endanger their chances of international success by appearing to ‘pick sides’ in the royal feud.
Citing the number of celebrities who have ambitions of conquering both the UK and US box offices with films or plays, she said: ‘Nobody wants to be seen as taking sides and nobody wants to be seen as friends of Harry and Meghan.
‘Because then it’s felt that Kate and William will likely not show up’.
Ms Froelich explained that the Prince and Princess of Wales’ ability to draw 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.
