Netflix finds itself in a spat with Meghan Markle after a hotel manager demanded payment from the streaming giant.
This demand arose when Markle allegedly refused to settle a $110,000 bill accrued during her stay. While the British royals, including Princess Katherine and Prince Harry, have been the subject of much speculation in early 2024, Markle and Prince Harry have been busy working on their next Netflix project.
The couple, with millions of subscribers eagerly awaiting their content, have been filming on location in Florida. Their recent stay at a luxurious hotel has raised eyebrows for its presumably hefty cost.
Reports indicate that just days after news broke of Markle and Prince Harry's commitment to two more non-fiction projects with Netflix, they found themselves embroiled in a billing dispute. Their previous deal with the streaming platform resulted in the successful "Harry and Meghan" documentary series in 2022. The upcoming projects, including one centered on professional Polo, were in full swing during Prince Harry's charity match in Wellington, Florida. Markle and Prince Harry's stay at the lavish Four Seasons Hotel in Palm Beach reportedly amounted to a staggering $88,000 per night.
However, tension arose when it came time to settle the bill. Sources close to the hotel manager revealed that Markle and Prince Harry declined to pay, citing dissatisfaction with certain charges, including spa services used by Markle. The unpaid bill totaled over $10,000, prompting the hotel manager to reach out to Netflix to resolve the issue. Ultimately, Netflix stepped in to foot the bill, though it remains unclear if this expense will be absorbed into the production costs of their current project.
Meanwhile, Markle's penchant for high-end fashion has also made headlines. Her attire for the Polo event reportedly cost a small fortune, with items such as a £650 Heidi Merck dress and a $2,650 Mason Valentino bag. Despite her lavish spending on clothing, Markle faced criticism for her appearance, with some suggesting that her style choices aged her beyond her years.
The controversy surrounding Markle and Prince Harry doesn't end with the billing dispute. They've also faced scrutiny for their relationship with Markle's family, particularly her father. GB News host Ben Leo accused Markle of hypocrisy, alleging that despite preaching compassion and forgiveness to the world, she has treated her own father poorly. Leo's comments reflect a broader sentiment that Markle and Prince Harry's actions contradict their public image as advocates for compassion and kindness.
In the midst of these controversies, some, like Leo, believe that Markle and Prince Harry should not return to England and that their behavior has alienated them from their roots. Whether these incidents will affect their future projects or public perception remains to be seen.
