Meghan ‘in talks for role in Netflix series’ while Harry faces court bill

By Press Association Reporters

Meghan Markle is reportedly in talks to return to acting, while Britain's Prince Harry faces a large court bill ahead of their move back to the UK.

Speculation about Meghan returning to the screen emerged as Harry and six other household names were ordered to pay more than £9.5 million (€11 million) to the Daily Mail’s publisher in the first round of legal costs after losing their High Court claims.

Meghan, 45, is understood to be in early-stage discussions over a possible role in a third series of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix hit The Gentlemen, Deadline reported.

The show, starring Theo James and Kaya Scodelario, has yet to be renewed for a third season, it was reported.

Meghan, who played Rachel Zane in the US legal drama Suits before marrying Harry, returned to acting for the first time in nearly a decade with a cameo as herself in upcoming comedy Close Personal Friends.

Harry and Meghan will live in a non-royal residence outside of London when they move back to the UK and have already enrolled Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in British schools.

Their move comes after Harry and Meghan took their children to see their grandfather King Charles for the first time in four years at his Highgrove home in July.

The couple are not thought to have raised the prospect of a return to the UK at that meeting.

But the upcoming move coincides with a fresh financial hit to Harry after judge Mr Justice Nicklin ruled that he and six fellow claimants, including Elton John and Doreen Lawrence, must pay £9,544,355 within seven days as an initial contribution to Associated Newspapers Limited’s (ANL) costs ahead of further hearings to determine the total sum.

The High Court was told that ANL’s total costs were more than £34 million.

The publisher had strongly denied allegations of unlawful information-gathering.

Matthew Kain, chief executive at costs law firm Kain Knight, said: “The claimants have what’s known as an ‘after the event’ insurance policy which will cover £16 million and allow them to make the interim payments.

“This shows how critically important it is for claimants to take out insurance before they issue a claim.

“The really interesting and contentious ground will be the costs over £16 million where the claimants will be personally liable for potentially many millions more.”

Questions have been raised over the couple's finances as decisions about whether taxpayers will foot the bill for their security remain unanswered, but the duchess will continue to run her lifestyle brand, As Ever, from their new base.

UK prime minister Andy Burnham would not be drawn on Harry and Meghan’s security arrangements in the UK, saying the funding for it was a “private matter”.

After his level of protection changed when he stepped down as a working royal in 2020, Harry has faced a protracted legal battle with the Home Office over security for him and his family while they are in the UK, and their arrangements may change when they become permanent residents again.

At the end of June, Harry was still waiting for a review by the Risk Management Board, part of the process by which the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) rules on his security requirements – and he and his security detail were working to try to ensure his July visit could go ahead safely.

Individual decisions on protective security for key public figures, including members of the royal family, are made by Ravec – which includes the Home Office, Metropolitan Police and Royal Household – which advises an independent chairperson.

The Times reported that Ravec is understood to be planning to restart its review of Harry’s claim for taxpayer-funded security.

Meanwhile, the royal family are gathering at Balmoral for their summer break.

Charles arrived at the Aberdeenshire summer retreat on Tuesday and the Prince and Princess of Wales have since been pictured at the estate, as well as the Princess Royal and her brother the Duke of Edinburgh.

William and Kate have not reacted publicly to the news of Harry and Meghan’s return, but may have private conversations with the wider family during the break.

The future king is estranged from his younger brother after Harry levelled a barrage of accusations against him, his wife the Princess of Wales and the King and Queen in the wake of his stepping back from royal duties.

Some reports had suggested the family was holding a “summit” over the return of the Sussexes.

But it is understood the gathering is in keeping with a longstanding annual tradition of members of the extended royal family staying at Balmoral during the summer.

Charles, who only found out about Harry and Meghan's plans three days before they became public, is said to be happy to be able to spend more time with the Sussex family, but remains adamant they will not be working royals.

Harry and Meghan have not commented on their reasons for relocating to the UK.