April 14, 2026

Meghan Markle's Netflix Night, Prince Harry Sued by His Own Charity, and the High-Stakes Australia Trip

Show Notes
Transcript

Meghan Markle makes a high-profile appearance at a Netflix gathering hosted by Ted Sarandos, raising fresh questions about the couple’s relationship with the streaming giant. Then, an extraordinary legal twist as Prince Harry faces libel action from his own charity, Sentebale. We also break down the early reaction to the Sussexes’ Australia trip, including skepticism from PR experts, mixed signals from local influencers, and support from fashion brands. After the break, new details on how the trip is being funded, what’s on the schedule, and the behind-the-scenes decision-making shaping Meghan’s key appearance.

Get episodes of Palace Intrigue by becommming a paid subscriber on Apple Podcasts. Click the button that says uninterrupted listening. Just $5 a month, and that includes many ofther shows on the Caloroga Shark network.

A new season of King William is available now.

Our royal newsletter written by Deep Crown is available for free.

Royal Books:

Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors by Tom Bower

William and Catherine: The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story

The Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen, the King and Princess Diana

WEBVTT

1
00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:10.199
Ah Calorougus Shark Media that Hello and welcome to Palace

2
00:00:10.240 --> 00:00:13.640
Intrigue Game you host Mark Francis. Meghan Michael drew attention

3
00:00:13.679 --> 00:00:18.320
to a high profile gathering hosted by Netflix boss Ted Saranders,

4
00:00:18.440 --> 00:00:22.679
despite ongoing questions about her professional relationship with the streaming giant.

5
00:00:23.199 --> 00:00:26.079
The Dutchess attended the Montecito event alongside Prince Harry, where

6
00:00:26.079 --> 00:00:29.399
the couple were photographed socializing with Saranders and his wife,

7
00:00:29.679 --> 00:00:33.280
Nicole Avant. Images from the evening showed Megan laughing with

8
00:00:33.359 --> 00:00:37.479
guests and warmly greeting Avant, suggesting a friendly atmosphere despite

9
00:00:37.560 --> 00:00:41.640
speculation of tensions. The event itself was described as a

10
00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:44.119
taste maker gathering to mark the new season of the

11
00:00:44.119 --> 00:00:48.399
Netflix series Beef, and attracted a number of high profile attendees,

12
00:00:48.439 --> 00:00:53.479
including Kerry Mulligan, Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry, Justin Trudeau, Oscar Isaac,

13
00:00:53.520 --> 00:00:56.960
and John Corbett. Megan's appearance was notable for her choice

14
00:00:56.960 --> 00:01:00.520
of attire. She wore an olive green silk dress, departing

15
00:01:00.560 --> 00:01:04.079
from the neutral terms she has often favoured in recent years.

16
00:01:04.680 --> 00:01:07.680
Despite reports of a cooling relationship, the public display of

17
00:01:07.719 --> 00:01:11.719
warmth at the event suggested continued cooperation between the Sussexes

18
00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:15.640
and Netflix figures. There are also indications the couple may

19
00:01:15.640 --> 00:01:19.280
be involved in developing a scripted project centered on rival

20
00:01:19.359 --> 00:01:23.920
polo playing families. Prince Harry is facing legal action from

21
00:01:23.959 --> 00:01:28.159
his own charity and unusual development for a senior royal figure.

22
00:01:28.439 --> 00:01:31.599
The organization at the center of the dispute, Center Balley,

23
00:01:31.719 --> 00:01:34.799
confirmed that it has launched libel proceedings in the High

24
00:01:34.840 --> 00:01:38.879
Court in London against Harry and his close associate Mark Dier.

25
00:01:39.359 --> 00:01:41.640
Center Bali, which Harry co founded in two thousand and

26
00:01:41.680 --> 00:01:45.840
six alongside Prince Cazio of Lesotho in memory of Diana,

27
00:01:45.920 --> 00:01:49.000
Princess of Wales, supports young people affected by HIV and

28
00:01:49.120 --> 00:01:53.000
AIDS in Southern Africa. Court filings, as reported by Reuters,

29
00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:57.159
allege that Harry and Dyer orchestrated a coordinated adverse media

30
00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:03.319
campaign that caused operational disruption and reputational harm. A spokesperson

31
00:02:03.319 --> 00:02:06.599
for Harry and Dyer responded saying, as Center Ballei's co

32
00:02:06.680 --> 00:02:10.639
founder and a founding trustee, they categorically reject these offensive

33
00:02:10.639 --> 00:02:14.599
and damaging claims. It is extraordinary the charitable funds are

34
00:02:14.599 --> 00:02:17.439
now being used to pursue legal action against the very

35
00:02:17.479 --> 00:02:20.199
people who built in support of the organization for nearly

36
00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:23.479
two decades, rather than being directed to the communities the

37
00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:27.039
charity was created to serve. The timing of the lawsuits

38
00:02:27.039 --> 00:02:29.680
is notable. It comes as Meghan and Harry prepare for

39
00:02:29.719 --> 00:02:31.919
a trip to Australia, where they are scheduled to take

40
00:02:31.960 --> 00:02:35.039
part in what has been described as private business and

41
00:02:35.120 --> 00:02:39.400
philanthropic engagements in Melbourne and Sydney. Some critics of characterize

42
00:02:39.479 --> 00:02:43.719
the visit as a series of paid appearances. As Harry

43
00:02:43.719 --> 00:02:46.879
and Meghan's Australia trip begins, pr expert Renee Smith tells

44
00:02:46.919 --> 00:02:50.280
The Daily Express, so can the too be a success?

45
00:02:50.639 --> 00:02:54.759
It depends entirely on what we're calling success. If success

46
00:02:54.879 --> 00:02:58.520
is a well managed series of curated smile and wave appearances,

47
00:02:58.759 --> 00:03:03.400
a supportive crowd and con environments, and strong imagery and headlines, yes,

48
00:03:03.479 --> 00:03:07.000
absolutely the teams will be able to call that a success.

49
00:03:07.479 --> 00:03:09.759
If the goal is a broader shift in public perception

50
00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:12.560
or some kind of revenge moment, that's where it starts

51
00:03:12.599 --> 00:03:16.000
to feel slightly unrealistic. But if anyone is expecting this

52
00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:18.479
to be some kind of defining comeback moment that feels

53
00:03:18.479 --> 00:03:20.319
a bit generous and I doubt it we'll move the

54
00:03:20.360 --> 00:03:24.080
dial for the general population. The visit is expected to

55
00:03:24.080 --> 00:03:26.400
include stomps in Melbourne and Sydney, with a schedule built

56
00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:29.479
around key speaking engagements. Prince Harry is due to a

57
00:03:29.560 --> 00:03:32.159
peer as a keynote speaker at the inter Edge Summit

58
00:03:32.199 --> 00:03:35.199
in Melbourne on Wednesday and Thursday, where he will focus

59
00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:38.719
on workplace mental health. Megan is said to take part

60
00:03:38.759 --> 00:03:42.319
as a special guest at her Best Life Women's retreat

61
00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:46.439
in Sydney, scheduled to run from Friday through Sunday. The

62
00:03:46.520 --> 00:03:48.560
Duchess is due to appear as a guest speaker at

63
00:03:48.599 --> 00:03:53.639
the event at the Intercontinental Hotel. Australian Royal commentator Seawan

64
00:03:53.719 --> 00:03:56.520
a Kay said there appears to be little visible promotion

65
00:03:56.639 --> 00:04:00.000
from high profile attendees. She said, there is no excite,

66
00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:02.039
there's no build up, There's no one willing to break

67
00:04:02.080 --> 00:04:04.400
their silence, anyone of note to say that they're actually

68
00:04:04.400 --> 00:04:06.879
going to the event. It's almost like they don't want

69
00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:09.439
to be associated with her, with Megan Michael, because its

70
00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:13.560
really bad for their brands. That's said Australian newspaper The

71
00:04:13.599 --> 00:04:17.079
Sidney Morning Herald reported several local fashioned labels have indicated

72
00:04:17.079 --> 00:04:19.639
they would welcome the opportunity to work with the Duchess

73
00:04:19.639 --> 00:04:23.240
of Sussex during her trip. Sydney based designer Karen Gee,

74
00:04:23.279 --> 00:04:25.839
who dressed Meghan during her twenty eighteen tour of Australia,

75
00:04:25.879 --> 00:04:29.680
said Meghan represents a modern woman with purpose, strength and grace,

76
00:04:29.800 --> 00:04:33.480
qualities we design for every day. If Meghan were to

77
00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:36.000
wear Karen Ghee again, it would simply be a continuation

78
00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:40.319
of that shared understanding. The clothing can quietly support confidence

79
00:04:40.360 --> 00:04:44.240
without ever overwhelming the woman wearing it. Melinda Robinson of

80
00:04:44.279 --> 00:04:48.199
Scanland Theodore said her considered approach to dressing an appreciation

81
00:04:48.279 --> 00:04:52.319
for timeless, profined design aligns naturally with our brand. We

82
00:04:52.360 --> 00:04:56.560
are always honored to see Meghan in Scanland. Theodore and

83
00:04:56.720 --> 00:05:00.120
a Hoeing founder of Anaquan, also expressed interests, saying it's

84
00:05:00.120 --> 00:05:02.079
always an honor in someone such as Meghan, who has

85
00:05:02.120 --> 00:05:04.519
a large selection of designers to choose from, chooses to

86
00:05:04.560 --> 00:05:08.120
wear around a que Meghan itself has previously spoken about

87
00:05:08.199 --> 00:05:11.040
using fashion to support smaller brands. She said in a

88
00:05:11.079 --> 00:05:14.120
twenty twenty four interview Times where I know there is

89
00:05:14.360 --> 00:05:17.240
a global spotlight, and I support designers that I have

90
00:05:17.319 --> 00:05:20.199
really great friendships with and smaller up and coming brands

91
00:05:20.240 --> 00:05:23.160
that haven't gotten the attention that they should be getting.

92
00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:30.360
More pallasy just a moment. The visit to Australia will

93
00:05:30.399 --> 00:05:33.040
be privately funded. According to a report outlining details from

94
00:05:33.120 --> 00:05:37.160
leaked planning documents, SKYNE Used Australia tells of so called

95
00:05:37.199 --> 00:05:41.120
operational planning notes prepared by the couple's communication team confirm

96
00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:44.120
the trip will not be paid for by Australian taxpayers.

97
00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:48.639
The document, attributed to the couple's publicist Liam McGuire, also

98
00:05:48.680 --> 00:05:51.279
sets out the purpose of the visit. It states the

99
00:05:51.319 --> 00:05:54.319
program is rooted in long standing areas of work for

100
00:05:54.360 --> 00:05:56.839
the Duke and Duchess, with a clear focus on amplifying

101
00:05:56.959 --> 00:06:02.720
organizations delivering measurable impact. Visit prioritizers listening, learning and supporting

102
00:06:02.759 --> 00:06:05.959
communities rather than promotion. According to the report, the couple

103
00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:08.680
have been invited to Australia by several organizations and the

104
00:06:08.759 --> 00:06:12.680
itinerary includes visits to a children's hospital and an event

105
00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:16.879
on the Sydney Harbor linked to Invictus Australia. Prince Harry

106
00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:19.079
is also expected to attend engagements including a visit to

107
00:06:19.120 --> 00:06:22.160
an Australian Football League club in Melbourne, a rugby mentioned Sydney,

108
00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:25.120
and a separate event in Camber. Meghan is said to

109
00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:28.480
visit a women's homelessness shelter. The couple are not expected

110
00:06:28.519 --> 00:06:31.560
to carry out traditional walkabouts, with the report noting that

111
00:06:31.560 --> 00:06:35.160
security considerations have influenced the format of the visit that

112
00:06:35.319 --> 00:06:38.920
children Archie and Lilibet will not be traveling with them.

113
00:06:39.480 --> 00:06:41.839
Australian media suggests Meghan was keen to keep one with

114
00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:45.040
very well known Australian media figure away from the spotlight.

115
00:06:45.439 --> 00:06:47.240
The Duchess of Sussex is due to a pear at

116
00:06:47.240 --> 00:06:50.120
her Best Life retreat. The event is being organized by Besties,

117
00:06:50.519 --> 00:06:53.680
the company founded by Jackie o Henderson and Jemma O'Neil.

118
00:06:54.439 --> 00:06:57.800
Skin Used Australia reports that Meghan specifically wanted Jemma O'Neil

119
00:06:57.879 --> 00:07:00.720
to conduct the interview rather than Jackie oh Henderson. The

120
00:07:00.759 --> 00:07:04.240
source said, everything hinges on this tour. It's make or break.

121
00:07:04.319 --> 00:07:06.879
Megan wants to steer clear of anything that could overshadow

122
00:07:06.920 --> 00:07:10.199
her mission. It's why she requested Jemma handle her interview

123
00:07:10.279 --> 00:07:13.360
rather than Jackie. Oh, Megan really likes Jackie. She has

124
00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:15.399
too much going on in her own life and the

125
00:07:15.439 --> 00:07:17.759
focus of this tour should be one hundred percent on

126
00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:22.319
as Ever and her and Harry's philanthropic work. The claim

127
00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:24.360
comes at a time when Henderson has been attracting major

128
00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:28.160
attention in Australia following a public falling out with Kyle Sandaland's,

129
00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:31.519
the collapse of their Kiss FM radio program, and legal

130
00:07:31.560 --> 00:07:34.240
action linked to the reported termination of her one hundred

131
00:07:34.319 --> 00:07:38.120
million dollar contract. O'Neill herself as said she initially did

132
00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:40.759
not want to leave the conversation with Megan. On an

133
00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:43.680
episode of her Best Life podcast, she said, I did

134
00:07:43.720 --> 00:07:45.439
go through a period. I will admit that I actually

135
00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:48.120
almost said no. I actually spoke to Jackie about it.

136
00:07:48.360 --> 00:07:49.920
I tried to beg her to come and do it,

137
00:07:50.079 --> 00:07:51.519
or I tried to beg her to come and take

138
00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:54.639
over the event. She was adamant, and she said no, Jemma,

139
00:07:54.720 --> 00:07:56.560
you need to do this for yourself. This is meant

140
00:07:56.639 --> 00:08:00.399
to be for you. In a separate account carried by Nine,

141
00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:04.199
O'Neil described a recent Zoom call with Meghan in glowing terms.

142
00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:06.959
She said, I've literally just got off a zoom with

143
00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:09.279
Megan couldn't have been any more kind of real. I

144
00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:12.839
just immediately loved chatting to her. According to O'Neill, Meghan

145
00:08:12.839 --> 00:08:15.480
wants the appearance to feel informal and personal. She said

146
00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:18.000
she was like, let's just have a real chat woman

147
00:08:18.040 --> 00:08:21.680
to woman. Let's just go for it. O'Neil also said

148
00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:24.399
Meghan is eager for the Sydney appearance, telling followers, I

149
00:08:24.439 --> 00:08:26.560
know she's really looking forward to being in a room

150
00:08:26.600 --> 00:08:30.040
without community and great women. And there you have it.

151
00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:32.600
If you'd like to email us addresses the Palace Intrigue

152
00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:34.960
at gmail dot com, please follow us on Spotify, Apple

153
00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:37.159
on the Apple of a Choice by Mark Francis My

154
00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:40.879
thanks to John McDermott. This is Palace Intrigue and good

155
00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:41.320
terms

Meghan Markle's Netflix Night, Prince Harry Sued by His Own Charity, and the High-Stakes Australia Trip

Listen On

Recent Episodes