Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, made a surprise debut at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah over the weekend to promote their latest film project.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex introduced the world premiere of their documentary, “Cookie Queens” — which they executive produced through their company Archewell Productions — on Saturday evening at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center in Salt Lake City.
The following morning, Harry and Meghan made a second appearance at the festival at the Eccles Theatre in Park City for a screening of the documentary.
In dressed-down winter attire, Harry and Meghan posed with members of the “Cookie Queens” cast and crew as well as with Sundance festival director Eugene Hernandez and Amy Redford, daughter of the festival’s founder Robert Redford.
“Thank you guys so much for being here bright and early. I know some of you probably had late nights last night, so extra thanks for the effort,” Meghan told a Sundance audience on Sunday morning.
“My husband and I and our Archewell Productions, we are so proud and privileged to be able to support and uplift ‘Cookie Queens,’” she continued. “Yes, it’s probably the cutest at the festival, but I’m also going to go out on a limb and say it is one of the most powerful and meaningful depictions of something that is an American tradition and rooted in nostalgia.”
“So yes, it’s cute and yes, these young ladies are fantastic and adorable, but they are also layered beautiful girls who are about to become very strong leaders and young women.”
What is ‘Cookie Queens’ about?
The documentary, which is part of Sundance’s family matinee program, follows four resilient young Girl Scouts navigating their roles in the $800 million Girl Scout Cookie business and their ambitious battle to become the highest cookie seller, or “Cookie Queen.”
The film focuses on the complexities of girlhood, entrepreneurship and the value of the Girl Scouts program, Meghan said.
Meghan reflected on her own experiences as a young Girl Scout growing up in California, with her mom, Doria Ragland, as her troop leader.
“I have a personal affinity for this film,” she said, per The Independent. “When we first viewed the early footage, it was immediately something we wanted to be involved in.”
“The creative point of view, the edgy yet humanizing tone, and the glimpse behind the scenes of such a nostalgic — and also modern — tradition of Girl Scout Cookie season are absolutely irresistible,” she added.
What other films are Harry and Meghan involved in?
“Cookie Queens” is the latest move in Harry and Meghan’s ongoing effort to break into the film industry.
Following their 2020 departure from royal duties, the couple signed a $100 million deal with Netflix to create an undisclosed number of TV series, documentaries, children’s programs and other content.
The mega-streamer extended its creative partnership with Harry and Meghan’s production company, Archewell Productions, with an updated, multiyear deal signed in August.
The updated arrangement also expanded to incorporate Meghan’s fruit preserves and lifestyle brand, As Ever, further into the partnership with a larger product line.
“We’re proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As Ever brand,” Meghan said in a statement after the news broke.
She continued, “My husband and I feel inspired by our partners who work closely with us and our Archewell Productions team to create thoughtful content across genres that resonates globally, and celebrates our shared vision.”
Partnered with Netflix, Archewell Productions has released “With Love, Meghan,” “Heart of Invictus,” “Polo,” “Live to Lead” and “Harry & Meghan.”
None of the couple’s Netflix content has performed as well as their 2022 docuseries, “Meghan & Harry,” Netflix’s most-watched documentary debut ever, per CNN — which attracted a mass audience with bombshell reveals on their notorious royal exit.
The couple are currently involved in several film projects, including a film adaptation of the novel “Meet Me at the Lake.”