Meghan Markle Shines at Charity Gala Amidst Netflix Fallout
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, put on a brave face and beamed on the red carpet at a significant charity event in Los Angeles last night. Despite recent reports of a split with Netflix, she appeared in high spirits alongside her close friend, Kelly Zajfen, at the Alliance for Children’s Rights’ 34th Annual Champions for Children event. The glitzy affair was held at the prestigious Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills.
This gala marked Meghan’s first public appearance since taking personal control of her lifestyle brand, As Ever, following the conclusion of her partnership with Netflix after just one year. The Duchess, dressed impeccably in a navy strapless gown by Ralph Lauren and elegant black sandals from Stuart Weitzman, was clearly relishing the company of her longtime friend. She was observed repeatedly hugging and linking arms with Kelly Zajfen, a co-founder of the Alliance for Children’s Rights, on the red carpet.
A Friend in Need, A Friend Indeed: Supporting Through Grief and Joy
Meghan’s presence at the event held a particularly poignant significance as she affectionately cradled Kelly’s baby bump for the cameras. This gesture of support comes at a joyous time for Kelly, who is expecting a baby boy. It also serves as a powerful reminder of the profound personal tragedy Kelly endured four years ago, when she tragically lost her nine-year-old son, George, to COVID-19 and viral meningitis.
Kelly herself lauded Meghan’s unwavering dedication to the Alliance for Children’s Rights, a charity dedicated to supporting children in foster care. “Her commitment to The Alliance for Children’s Rights is truly inspiring,” Kelly shared, expressing her deep gratitude. “I’m so grateful to have you by my side.” After a brief and warm interaction with photographers, the Duchess waved enthusiastically before making her way inside to join the festivities.
Inside the Netflix Split: Claims and Counterclaims
The red carpet appearance comes on the heels of a tumultuous period for Meghan and Prince Harry, marked by reports of a significant fallout with Netflix. Sources close to Meghan have suggested that she felt Netflix was overly cautious regarding her lifestyle brand, which encompasses products like jam, candles, and now flowers.
However, insiders at the streaming giant have pushed back against these narratives, with some reportedly describing the Sussexes as “difficult to work with.” One anonymous source was quoted as saying, “The mood in the building is ‘We’re done.'”
Allegations of Workplace Conduct Surface
Amidst this public briefing war, further claims have emerged regarding Meghan’s alleged behaviour in meetings. Reports attributed to Netflix staff have accused the Duchess of “disappearing” from Zoom calls as a signal of her “offence” and of talking over her husband during discussions, sometimes, it’s alleged, to “recast Prince Harry’s thoughts” while he was still speaking.
Kelly Zajfen, 44, has been a steadfast friend to Meghan for over two decades and resides near the Duchess in California. Her own journey through grief has been profound, with Meghan offering significant support.
Kelly’s son, George, tragically passed away at the age of nine over four years ago after contracting a severe viral illness. Kelly has previously spoken openly about the immense pain of her loss, describing it in a personal essay as “traumatic, painful, and very vivid.”
A Mother’s Grief and a Royal Gesture of Support
In a heart-wrenching account published in People magazine in 2024, Kelly recounted the swiftness of her son’s decline. “It happened very quickly,” she wrote. “We had no idea when we took him into the hospital that 12 hours later, he would not make it. My 9-year-old son George died. Died of Covid and viral meningitis. A healthy and vibrant boy could not fight it. We lost him. I kissed him. But it was to say goodbye. It is impossible to know how to survive this type of grief. Even more impossible is the ability to find all the right tools that will help you manage each day. I definitely do not have all the answers.”
At the time of George’s death, Meghan and Prince Harry demonstrated their support by donating $5,000 to a GoFundMe campaign established in George’s honour. The donation was attributed to their two children, Lilibet and Archie.
The Sussexes’ Response to Damaging Reports
Meghan’s radiant appearance at the charity event comes in the wake of a series of widely publicised articles offering an insider’s perspective on the Sussexes’ strained relationship with Netflix. Multiple insiders from the streaming giant reportedly briefed Variety writer Matt Donnelly, detailing instances where the Duchess’s prolonged absences from video calls were characterised as “odd methods of providing feedback.” Donnelly claimed that Netflix teams were later informed that these absences were due to Meghan being “offended by something that was said.”
Michael J. Kump, the Sussexes’ lawyer, vehemently refuted these allegations. He stated that any instances of Meghan leaving her screen were to attend to her children, as is common for working mothers, and not out of anger. Prince Harry has also reportedly described claims that his wife would talk over him as “categorically false.”
Defending Against Misogynistic Portrayals
The couple’s legal representative further accused Variety of resorting to “misogynistic characterisation of her bossing her husband around” by suggesting Meghan would “recast Harry’s thoughts” in meetings. In a letter to Variety, Mr. Kump explained that Meghan, working from home and raising young children, would often have them enter the meeting space unexpectedly. He stressed that, like many parents working remotely, she prioritises shielding her team from such distractions. He also noted that professionals frequently need to mute or turn off their cameras during lengthy virtual calls.
Mr. Kump dismissed a number of other claims presented in the Variety article, titled “Inside Meghan and Harry’s Falling Out With Netflix — and Why the Royal Couple Is Struggling in Hollywood.” The feature, which has garnered global attention, also alleged that Meghan would interrupt Prince Harry during meetings.
Netflix Reportedly “Done” with the Sussexes
The publication quoted sources stating, “In virtual and in-person meetings with partners, she tends to talk over or recast Prince Harry’s thoughts, sometimes while he is in mid-sentence, sources say (usually preceded by a touch to the arm or thigh).” Mr. Kump argued that this assertion was “calculated to play into the misogynistic characterisation of her bossing her husband around.” Prince Harry, for his part, reportedly reiterated that such claims are “categorically false.”
Variety’s critical assessment of the couple’s relationship with Netflix suggested that the streaming giant is “done” with Harry and Meghan. In response, Netflix’s chief content officer, Bela Bajaria, advised caution, stating, “I would say don’t believe whatever you read.”
The feature delved into the Sussexes’ deal with the streamer, citing half a dozen insiders who described the partnership as “far from a fairy tale.” The article posited that Netflix has grown weary of the Sussexes’ perceived tendency to present “repackaged versions of the same story about their exit from royal life.” It further suggested that their partnership might “continue to taper off, and with it will Meghan and Harry’s remaining showbusiness lifeline.” A source was quoted as saying, “The mood in the building is ‘We’re done.'”
Mounting Doubts and Production Challenges
In a series of candid revelations, the magazine claimed that the couple’s “bedside manner has ruffled feathers in meetings” and that the “lacklustre” ratings for shows like With Love, Meghan have led to significant doubts within the streamer. Archewell Productions, the couple’s production company, is also accused of “poor communication” in its dealings with Netflix.
Furthermore, there are claims – strongly denied by both Netflix and the Sussexes’ legal team – that Netflix chief Ted Sarandos is “fed up with the pair.” It was alleged that he remarked he would not participate in a call with Meghan “unless a lawyer was present on the line.” Netflix has labelled this as “absolutely inaccurate,” while Michael J. Kump described it as “blatantly false,” asserting that Meghan communicates regularly with Mr. Sarandos via phone and text, and has visited his home without legal counsel.
The article also cited two insiders who allege that Netflix, which reportedly paid approximately £45 million ($60 million) for a five-year deal with the Sussexes, was “annoyed” by the couple’s decision to grant an interview to Oprah Winfrey following their departure from the Royal Family.
“Blindsided” by Harry’s Memoir and Documentary Impact
The company was reportedly “blindsided again” by Prince Harry’s decision to publish his memoir, Spare, the details of which were allegedly “downplayed” by Meghan. Executives at Netflix are said to have felt that both projects negatively impacted their own documentary about the couple. However, a spokesperson for the Sussexes maintains that they cooperated fully with Netflix throughout the process.
The magazine suggests that despite the success of the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan, “A-list talent and directors” are becoming “hesitant to work with the pair” given their track record, and several projects have reportedly been cancelled. While Netflix insists it remains committed to the couple through a “first look” deal, “sales agents and filmmakers on the ground” are reportedly showing little interest in any involvement with Archewell Productions, according to four separate sources.
The magazine further reports that after Meghan’s second series of With Love, Meghan “cratered,” sources indicated that “Netflix was losing faith in the former royals.” The article concludes with a provocative question: “After half a decade of inconsistent shows, strategic shifts, false starts and a diminished hold on the popular imagination, are the Sussexes really living the Hollywood dream they imagined?”
These insider revelations come less than two weeks after news emerged that Netflix was parting ways with Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever. The brand, which launched in April 2025 in partnership with Netflix’s Consumer Products division to coincide with the release of With Love, Meghan, features products such as wine, tea, and jams. Both the brand and the show now appear to have been dropped, though a spokesperson for the Sussexes indicated to Variety that “seasonal specials” would continue.
