Harry and Meghan ‘plan to launch TV and film production company’ to fund new life

Harry and Meghan are believed to be planning their own film and television production company after they cut all ties with the Royal Family, sources have revealed.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly hoping to make documentaries about ‘worthy’ causes such as climate change and mental health – the latter being a topic close to Harry’s heart.

It is understood the couple hope to take note from former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle, who have kept earning big after setting up a production company.

After leaving the White House, Obama’s business earned the backing of Netflix and the pair have also paid the bills by selling the rights to autobiographies and documentary appearances.

According to the Mail, the duke and duchess hope to set up a similar Clinton Foundation-style charity to the Obamas and providing voiceovers on documentaries featuring topics the pair care about.

And it seems they have already secured support from Netflix, after the streaming giant’s chief content officer, Ted Sarandos, yesterday expressed his interest in working with the couple.

When asked by press at the Screen Actors Guild Awards if he’d like to collaborate with the pair, Mr Sarandos responded: ‘Who wouldn’t be interested? Yes, sure.’

It is understood Meghan has already signed a voiceover deal with Disney in return for a donation to an elephant charity.

Sources say Meghan finished recording before she went to Canada on a six-week break with Harry and baby Archie, before delivering the shock news that they’d step back as royals.

Harry has previously been overheard bigging up the pair’s talents to Lion King Director Jon Favreau, along with Beyonce and Jay-Z at the film’s premiere in July, last year.

In a second clip of the group’s exchange, published by the Mail on Sunday yesterday, Harry tells them: ‘Next time, if anyone needs any extra voiceover work, we can make ourselves available.’

Meghan then added: ‘That’s really why we’re here – to pitch.’

Harry jokes ‘Just not Scar, it’s a no to Scar,’ – a reference to the evil uncle character in The Lion King who tries to steal the kingdom from Simba.

Harry’s father Prince Charles said he would temporarily fund the pair from his private investment, however the arrangement could be reviewed in a year.

The couple are set to continue working under the Sussex Royal brand for now, although they will not use their HRH titles as part of their exit deal agreed with the Queen.

Keen to continue charitable efforts, the duke was seen last night at an event for his charity Sentebale, which helps young people affected by HIV in Lesotho and Botswana, at the Ivy Chelsea Garden restaurant, in London.

During the event, he gave a speech insisting he and his wife felt they had no option but to stand down from their royal duties and did not take the decision ‘lightly’.

Harry admitted he hasn’t always ‘got it right’ in the past but insisted he and Meghan are ‘not walking away’ and felt ‘great sadness’ over the deal.

He said it took ‘years of challenges’ for him to reach this point but felt there was ‘really no other option’.

After 10 days of turmoil and talks, the Queen announced on Saturday evening that she had signed off on a deal and gave her blessing for the pair to step back from all royal duties.

In an emotional statement, the Queen acknowledged the ‘challenges’ her grandson and his wife had faced over the past year and wished them well.

The pair will stop receiving money from the crown, will become financially independent and have agreed to repay the taxpayers’ millions spent on their Frogmore Cottage.

Harry will also have to sacrifice his military titles and appointments, which are known to be incredibly important to him.

The couple and baby Archie are already in the transition period of splitting their lives between the UK and Canada.

Harry and Meghan had wanted to remain as working royals, although not prominent members, and become financially independent – a dual role many commentators said was fraught with problems.

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace on behalf of the couple, they said under the agreement they understood they were ‘required’ to step back from royal duties and finance their new life.