Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s return to the United Kingdom received the full comedy treatment during the Season 2 premiere of “Saturday Night Live UK.” The sketch targeted everything from the couple’s Netflix money and Meghan’s lifestyle projects to the royal family’s long-running tensions surrounding race.
Actors Jack Shep and Ayoade Bamgboye portrayed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they arrived at Balmoral Castle looking for a warm welcome from King Charles and Queen Camilla. Instead, their fictional reunion quickly turned into a blistering takedown of the couple’s finances and post-royal ambitions.
The cold open began with Harry and Meghan visiting Charles, played by Larry Dean, and Camilla, portrayed by Emma Sidi. “Daddy,” Harry told his father. “I’m home.”
However, the fictional monarch appeared far more interested in the reason behind his son’s return. “Don’t tell me you’ve spent all your Netflix money already,” Charles asked.
“It was $60 million. How long was it meant to last?” Harry responded.
The joke referenced the lucrative Netflix agreement Harry and Meghan secured after stepping away from their roles as working members of the royal family in 2020.
The Sussexes produced several projects under the arrangement, including the docuseries “Harry & Meghan,” the documentary series “Heart of Invictus” and Meghan’s lifestyle program, “With Love, Meghan.” The comedy show used their changing relationship with Netflix to suggest that money, rather than family, had brought them back to Britain. There is no confirmation that financial difficulties motivated their return.
Meghan Markle’s Lifestyle Brand Became A Target
The sketch also took aim at Meghan’s attempt to establish herself as a lifestyle authority through her Netflix series and As Ever brand. “Hey Step Queen. I brought you a gift. It’s ice. I made it myself. I can give you the recipe. I’m kind of a wiz in the kitchen,” the fictional Meghan told Camilla.
“It’s true,” Harry added. “She hires the best cooks.”
“With Love, Meghan” features the Duchess sharing cooking, gardening, entertaining, and hosting ideas with celebrity guests. Although the series faced harsh criticism after its debut, it also earned a 2026 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lifestyle Series/Program. Meghan subsequently expanded her lifestyle efforts through As Ever, which has offered products connected to food, entertaining, and home life.
The Sketch Revisited The Royal Race Controversy
One of the cold open’s sharpest moments came when the fictional Camilla welcomed the Duchess to Balmoral. “Hello, sweet Harry,” Camilla said before describing Meghan as “beautiful Meghan, as brown as ever.”
The joke appeared to reference Harry and Meghan’s 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, during which they discussed concerns allegedly expressed within the royal family about how dark Prince Archie’s skin might be. Prince William later denied that the royals were a racist family.
Queen Elizabeth II also released a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations while noting that recollections of the events “may vary.” The controversy has followed the Sussexes for years and remains one of the most sensitive subjects connected to their departure from royal duties.
The UK Prime Minister Joined The Royal Parody
The scene expanded with the arrival of UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, portrayed by George Fouracres. “Harry, Megan, I’m here to tell you that just because you’re normal folk doesn’t mean your life has to be crap,” he declared. “That is the Burnham promise.”
The line continued the sketch’s running joke that Harry and Meghan are attempting to adjust to life without the privileges and financial support associated with being working royals.
The Season 2 premiere was hosted by “Jurassic Park” star Jeff Goldblum and featured CMAT as its musical guest. Sky officially announced Goldblum and CMAT as the premiere’s guests earlier this month.
Harry And Meghan Signed A Less Restrictive Netflix Deal
The financial jokes came after Harry and Meghan’s original five-year Netflix contract concluded in 2025. Netflix did not renew that deal under the same terms. However, the streaming company did not completely sever its relationship with the couple.
In August 2025, Netflix announced that Archewell Productions had entered a new multi-year, first-look agreement with the company. A first-look deal gives Netflix the initial opportunity to consider projects developed by Archewell. It does not guarantee that every proposed television show or film will be purchased or produced. The distinction matters because the original agreement was a broader production partnership, while the first-look arrangement allows Netflix to evaluate projects individually.
An insider previously described the new deal as “not much.” “It’s no risk for Netflix but saves them both reputationally,” the source told Page Six.
Despite that assessment, the continued relationship means Harry and Meghan still have an outlet through which they can pitch future projects.