Meghan Markle’s quiet ambition to narrate a wildlife documentary for Disney appears to have taken a back seat as the media giant shifted its royal focus toward her brother-in-law, Prince William.
On November 1st, Disney+ will premiere a new two-part documentary titled Prince William: We Can End Homelessness. The series, centered around William’s Royal Foundation and its Homewards initiative, documents efforts to tackle homelessness across six UK cities. This program not only delves into William’s broader vision for affordable housing, possibly even on royal property, but it also includes a touching recollection of his late mother, Princess Diana, and her influence on him and his brother, Prince Harry.
Reflecting on a poignant childhood memory, William recalls, “My mother took me to The Passage; she took Harry and me both there. I must have been around 10 or 11.” This heartfelt moment is likely to resonate with the British public and royal watchers alike.
In contrast, Prince Harry and Meghan have embraced a different lifestyle since relocating to California. While they struck a high-profile deal with Netflix and released a documentary of their own, Meghan’s hopes to lend her voice to Disney remain unrealized. Many remember that now-famous encounter at a red carpet event where Prince Harry suggested to then-Disney CEO Bob Iger that Meghan would be interested in voice-over work. That conversation became a classic moment of “Hollywood meets royalty” awkwardness, as Harry enthusiastically promoted his wife’s vocal talents to an executive who might have preferred a conversation about castles over casting. By many accounts, Iger’s polite smile barely concealed his surprise and possibly slight discomfort, as he likely hadn't anticipated a royal pitching for a Hollywood gig.
Despite their varied efforts, Disney has opted to align itself with a more traditional royal narrative. In a telling move, the company chose to back Prince William’s documentary with a focus on pressing social issues, rather than pursuing Meghan’s more glamorous Hollywood aspirations. Although Meghan did eventually land a voice-over role for an elephant documentary on Disney+, this small victory falls short of the grand opportunity Harry may have envisioned. For Meghan and Harry, their Hollywood journey has positioned them more as media personalities than major players in the industry.
According to Hollywood insiders, Disney does not currently view Meghan’s voice work as the kind of blockbuster draw they need, with projects like The Little Mermaid and, now, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness taking precedence. In many ways, William’s socially-conscious documentary better aligns with Disney’s family-oriented brand, and the heir to the British throne may offer a different sort of appeal than California’s celebrity-studded lifestyle.
As Disney+ prepares to launch William’s documentary, it’s evident that the “California Royals” are forging a very different path from William. Hollywood may frame the brothers’ careers as a rivalry, but it’s more accurately a divergence of purpose. William’s work largely stays within the boundaries of royal tradition, focusing on public service and duty. Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan are establishing themselves as influencers and podcasters, often making waves on both sides of the Atlantic. As November approaches, audiences will see Prince William’s commitment to tackling homelessness celebrated on Disney+, while Meghan’s Hollywood dreams await their next opportunity.
