SNL UK mocks Harry and Meghan's UK return as show jokes pair have run out of Netlfix money

Hannah Furnell Sun, September 13, 2026 at 12:31 AM UTC

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Saturday Night Live U.K. has returned for its second season, and it was quick to mock Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's return to the U.K. with a biting Netflix joke.

In late August, the Duke, 41, and Duchess of Sussex, 45, relocated back to the U.K. with their two children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five. Just days later, on September 7, as the family was reportedly settling in the Cotswolds, in the Gloucestershire countryside, King Charles issued a letter confirming that the couple would remain non-working royals, a move that reportedly "surprised" them.

The September 12 premiere of Season 2 of SNL U.K. began with a cold open sketch featuring Harry and Meghan, portrayed by Jack Shep and Ayoade Bamgboye, visiting the 77-year-old monarch and Queen Camilla, 79, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The sketch immediately jabbed at the couple's failed Netflix deal.

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Larry Dean's Charles was shocked by his youngest son's reappearance. "Don't tell me you've spent all your Netflix money already," he asked, stunned.

"It was $60 million. How long was it meant to last?" Harry replied. The couple's original multi-year exclusive production contract with Netflix was downgraded to a "first-look" agreement after failing to meet high viewership expectations and facing commercial struggles.

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Meanwhile, Emma Sidi's Camilla showed the couple a warmer welcome home. "Hello, sweet Harry. And beautiful Meghan, as brown as ever," she said.

The remark on Meghan's skin tone was an apparent reference to the Duke and Duchess' interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which they revealed that an unnamed member of the Royal Family expressed concerns about how dark their unborn son Archie's skin might be.

Meghan, who has aired two seasons of an unsuccessful Netflix lifestyle series called With Love, Meghan, responded, "Hey Step Queen. I brought you a gift ... It's ice. I made it myself. I can give you the recipe."

The reunion between the pair of couples was then interrupted by recently appointed U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, played by George Fouracres, who donned his signature yellow Manchester badge and offered to buy the nation a beer.

"I'm the new PM, and I'm nothing like the last one. Harry, Megan, I'm here to tell you that just because you're normal folk doesn't mean your life has to be c---. That is the Burnham promise," he said.

SNL U.K.'s Season 2 premiere was hosted by Jeff Goldblum. He opened the premiere with a musical number from the show's London studio.

Season 2 will feature six episodes before taking a break and returning in early 2027. Chicken Shop Date host Amelia Dimoldenberg and Stath Lets Flats creator Jamie Demetriou will guest-present Episodes 2 and 3.

SNL U.K.'s Season 1 cast members have all returned, including Hammed Animashaun, Bamgboye, Dean, Celeste Dring, Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Shep, Sidi, and Paddy Young. There is also a newcomer, Freddie Meredith.

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SNL U.K. took a jab and Harry and Meghan's failed Netflix deal (Image: Saturday Night Live UK)

Meanwhile, royal enthusiasts are still shocked by Harry and Meghan's return, weeks after it was reported. Now, Charles' stern letter about their royal statuses has gotten everyone speculating once again.

On Monday, September 7, the Lord Chamberlain, the most senior official in the royal household, issued the letter on Charles's behalf as formal guidance after officials received a "number of requests" for clarification regarding the couple's royal status.

It was sent to senior government and military officials, as well as to lord lieutenants, the King's personal representatives across the country.

In the letter, the Lord Chamberlain said it is "well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of The Sovereign, and are no longer working Members of The Royal Family."

The document explained that this position will "continue to be fully respected," adding, "There is no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex."

Meanwhile, all of Harry and Meghan's charitable work is a "personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity." It added, "In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests."

The letter further stated that all correspondence and administrative questions relating to the couple should be sent directly to their office, "which will continue to operate separately from The Royal Household."

However, a spokesman for Harry and Meghan told CNN and NBC News that they were "surprised" by the letter and were not given an opportunity to add to it.

King Charles issued a stern letter about Harry and Meghan's royal statuses after their return (Image: Martin Meissner/Pool AP via AP)

Charles's letter reinforces the arrangement established when Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals in January 2020, citing intense scrutiny from the British press and lack of support from the palace. They also yearned for independence to grow their brand.

The terms of Harry and Meghan's exit were finalized during the Sandringham Summit, which was presided over by the late Queen Elizabeth.

Royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that Queen Elizabeth drew a firm line before the couple's exit, insisting the Sussexes could not be "half in, half out" as working royals.

"Her position was simply stated as 'all in or all out,'" Fordwich said. "While King Charles has maintained that position, he is likely to be more open to private reconciliation and family gatherings, especially if Harry refrains from further public attacks on the family. Prince William, however, remains resistant to any formal restoration of royal duties for Harry."

In his memoir Spare, Harry recalled the Sandringham meeting and wrote that he believed the royals would consider five options for him and his wife.

"Option Five" required a full departure. After about an hour, the queen's private secretary - nicknamed "The Bee" by Harry - issued drafts of a statement announcing "Option Five." Harry was stunned.

"Wait. I'm confused," he wrote. "You've already drafted a statement? Before any discussion? Announcing Option Five? In other words, the fix was in this whole time? This summit was just for show?"

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”