Harry Netflix deal ‘ did not kill off £ 1m Invictus gig’
INVICTUS Games officials are said to be “gutted” after a fundraising show hosted by Prince Harry had to be cancelled.
The music and comedy concert was to have been held in California next June and was aiming to raise £ 1million for wounded ex- serviceman and women.
The event had hoped to feature Beyonce and Ed Sheeran and was to have been broadcast by Amazon.
Stunned
It was called off due to the coronavirus pandemic, an Invictus spokesman said.
He denied claims in a Sunday newspaper that the cancellation was due to a conflict of interest over Harry and Meghan’s new £ 75million deal with Amazon rival Netflix.
The spokesman said: “The event was shelved because the primary revenue generator was ticket sales from a live concert in the spring of 2021. Given current circumstances with Covid, the event needed to be reconceptualised.
“This was an independent decision made prior to a partnership with Netflix. The duke remains committed as ever to the Invictus Games.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a deal with Netflix last week for their yet- to- be- named production company.
The couple, who recently bought an £ 11million mansion in Montecito, California, are expected to make content highlighting issues including mental health, women’s lives, nature and community service.
The 2020 Invictus Games were due to be held in April in The Hague, Holland, but were called off because of the pandemic.