Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s New Documentary Release

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are set to release their new documentary, Cookie Queens, in theaters on Friday. The journey began with its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Directed by Alysa Nahmias, the film follows a group of Girl Scouts as they navigate the annual cookie-selling season. The documentary highlights lessons in entrepreneurship, leadership, and resilience.

Personal Significance

While both Meghan and Harry served as executive producers, Meghan has expressed the project’s personal relevance. Drawing from her experiences as a former Girl Scout and a mother to Princess Lilibet, she finds deep meaning in the film. Afua Hagan, a UK-based royal commentator, noted the importance of this moment in terms of ratings and public reaction, revealing, “It’s an incredible moment.”

Why It Matters

The documentary represents the first theatrical release for Meghan and Harry as movie producers under Archewell Productions. It comes amid a decline in viewership for their Netflix projects, with hopes that Cookie Queens can successfully attract an audience beyond Netflix. A strong performance at the box office would demonstrate their potential to reach audiences independently.

Potential Challenges

Criticism often accompanies the couple’s projects, yet Cookie Queens appears less divisive than some of their previous ventures, such as their interview with Oprah Winfrey. Hagan believes the film, being a feel-good story about Girl Scouts selling cookies, may find favor with many viewers.

The Documentary’s Focus

The film explores the experiences of four Girl Scouts from different parts of the US during the six-week selling season. Instead of solely concentrating on cookie sales, it serves as a reflection on modern childhood, family life, and the pressures young girls face.

Among the participants, Olive from North Carolina has previously sold over 8,000 boxes. Nikki, Shannon Elizabeth, and Ara are also featured, each facing their unique challenges and goals. The film showcases how they and their families handle successes and setbacks, emphasizing business skills, financial literacy, and confidence-building.

Meghan shared in an interview with People how nostalgic it felt to reconnect with a fellow troop member at her daughter’s school. Her emotional connection to the project is clear, as she recalled a special achievement by one of the girls, which deeply moved her.

A Challenging Market for Documentaries

The release of Cookie Queens comes at a difficult time for documentaries. Filmmakers face a challenging commercial environment, with fewer commissions from broadcasters and streaming services. Against this backdrop, the film’s theatrical release stands as an achievement.

Roadside Attractions acquired the rights to the film, highlighting the competitive nature of the documentary market. Meghan sees the film’s success as a key indicator of Archewell’s potential to support and market projects effectively.

Whether Cookie Queens becomes a breakout success or achieves modest box office results, its release marks a significant test for the Sussexes as film producers. Meghan believes in the story’s impact, advocating for its focus on young female entrepreneurs and the film’s educational elements.