People don’t remember this, but the Windsors’ beef with Netflix actually began before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a lucrative production deal with the streamer in 2020. The Windsors were wringing their tea towels like crazy over The Crown series, especially after the first two seasons. As soon as the cast transitioned over to Olivia Colman as the queen and Josh O’Connor as Prince Charles, the various royal courts (mostly Charles’s office) would not shut up about how Netflix is horrid and The Crown gets everything wrong all the time. Incidentally, Charles’s pressure campaign worked long-term, as the last two seasons were basically pro-Charles propaganda. The Windsors’ beef with Netflix was definitely taken to another level when the Sussexes signed their deal though, and for the past five years, we’ve heard over and over again that it’s tacky, unroyal, gauche and completely unacceptable to work for Netflix. Well, guess who’s working with Netflix? King Charles. Becky English’s original Daily Mail headline was: “King Charles teams up with Netflix for new documentary starring Idris Elba – after Prince Harry and Meghan’s £80billion mega-deal ‘flopped’.” Netflix paid Harry & Meghan 80 BILLION pounds? Damn.
His son’s offerings for the streaming giant have almost universally flopped. But that hasn’t stopped Netflix signing up another member of the Royal Family – none other than the King himself. The firm today announced a ‘major new partnership’ between King Charles and Hollywood star Idris Elba for a new documentary film exploring the impact of The King’s Trust as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
As a young man, Idris Elba was the beneficiary of a grant from the Trust, then known as The Prince’s Trust, which the actor openly says changed his life and enabled him to study acting. Idris will accompany The King as he offers ‘rare access and insights’ into his support for the Trust – which he set up in 1976 with his modest naval pension to change the lives of disadvantaged young people – over the past five decades.
At its heart will be the ‘compelling’ stories of some of the one million young people the charity has gone on to help around the world. The documentary begins filming next week and will launch on Netflix in Autumn 2026. It is produced by 22 Summers, a production company founded by Idris Elba and Diene Petterle. The director is the BAFTA award-winning Ashley Francis-Roy and boasts executive producers including Eva Omaghom, who previously worked for the king for many years including as his ‘diversity tzar’. The production team will include young people supported by the Trust to build experience in film and television.
Elba said: ‘The King’s Trust gave me an opportunity that changed my life. At a time when I didn’t have the resources to pursue my ambitions, they offered real, practical support – including financial help – that helped me take those first steps to advance my career. Today, through the Elba Hope Foundation, I’m focused on creating those same opportunities for young people who are full of potential but lacking access. Around the world, millions are still waiting for that one door to open. This documentary is about shining a light on what’s possible when it does — and why the work of The King’s Trust remains so important.’
The King will not give an interview to the documentary crew but will, it is understood, be filmed ‘in conversation’ with other participants. A Palace aide said: ‘The King is pleased for The Trust to have this wonderful opportunity to showcase their work to a global audience, sharing the compelling stories of some of the more than one million young people it has helped in Britain and internationally over the past 50 years.’
Harry and Meghan signed their own deal with Netflix back in 2020 when they acrimoniously left the royal family in pursuit of their fortunes in the US.
I’ve already seen some knives out for Idris, but let me just say… Idris has long been associated with the Prince’s Trust, now the King’s Trust. Idris has been an ambassador for years and years, and he genuinely believes in it, and believes that kids should have more scholarships and opportunities. Idris is working his own angle, and it’s an angle of “helping out young people.” Sure, he’s being used by Charles, and Idris knows that. But it is what it is.
As for the Netflix documentary… lmao. It’s just too funny. It shows that they know their dumb little royal propaganda documentaries aren’t getting the coverage or attention. Harry and Meghan are the blueprint, even for Charles and Camilla. As for all of this sh-t about the Sussexes “flopping” at Netflix… Netflix is literally in business with Meghan and As Ever. Netflix is MINTING money off of the Sussexes. Netflix has so much money, they’ll throw a fraction of it at Charles as they roll their eyes. I’ve already seen people saying sh-t like “oh, this will piss off Harry and Meghan!” Why would they be pissed off at Charles copying Harry in a really sad way?
BILLION??? Also, lmao pic.twitter.com/VvYkf7ApjF
— Kaiser@Celebitchy (@KaiseratCB) June 20, 2025
Photos courtesy of Cover Images.
