Meghan Markle recently highlighted the advantages of her and Prince Harry’s first-look agreement with Netflix, emphasizing the “flexibility” it affords them to propose projects to other platforms if they don’t align with Netflix’s vision. Her remarks came during a speech at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women summit.

At the Washington, D.C. event, the Duchess of Sussex shared insights into her experience as a “high-profile business founder,” reflecting on her journey and objectives at the summit held at the Salamander DC Hotel.

During her address, Meghan revealed her ambition to utilize her considerable influence to establish a successful and enduring business empire. This vision follows the launch of her lifestyle brand, As Ever, earlier this year.

She also touched on the specifics of her new first-look deal with Netflix, a partnership some have viewed as a step down from the couple’s previous arrangement with the streaming service.

This agreement gives Netflix the initial opportunity to greenlight any film or television projects from the Sussexes before they are pitched to other companies.

Meghan told the crowd: ‘My husband and I were in an overall deal with Netflix […] and then the extension of it […] was now being in a first look deal, which is also exciting because it gives us flexibility to go to our partners first, and then at the same time be able to shop content that might not be the right fit for Netflix but has a home somewhere else.’ 

She also spoke about the possibility of a third season of her cooking show With Love, Meghan, but said she is still ‘exploring all the options’ for her brand. 

‘Well the holiday special is coming out in November and it’s a really good one. So we’re able to say eight episodes for two seasons – that’s a lot of work,’ she said. 

‘And having done Suits for seven years I remember what goes into production – how much people want content in different sizes. So what we’re testing out now – it’s amazing to be able to sit and watch a show for 30 minutes but how can I give you a recipe in two minutes and be able to share that with you – and how that continues to grow As Ever. 

‘So exploring all the options of what that could look like.’ 

Today’s event – titled Next Level Influence: A Conversation With Meghan, Duchess Of Sussex – was hosted by Fortune’s editor-in-chief Alyson Shontell and kicked off at noon local time (5pm BST). It took place on the second day of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women summit, an annual event hosted by the business magazine since 1999. 

Meghan Markle has arrived for Fortune’s Most Powerful Women summit 

Meghan speaking at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women summit

The Duchess said her and Prince Harry ‘s first-look deal with Netflix gives them ‘flexibility’ to pitch their content elsewhere if it’s ‘not the right fit’ for the streaming giant

Other speakers appearing at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women summit include actress Selena Gomez (pictured) 

Other speakers who appeared at the summit included actress Selena Gomez, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. 

Meghan’s appearance comes amid a busy time in her calendar, having made a string of public outings in New York with Prince Harry last week, which involved the couple being handed a Humanitarians of the Year award. 

The Sussexes also appeared at a Mental Health Day Festival in the Big Apple and were later pictured heading for a slap-up lunch with friend and tennis legend Serena Williams in the city’s Soho House.

Meghan’s Washington DC appearance today is her first at the event in five years. 

She discussed life as the founder of her As Ever lifestyle business, her new products and ‘navigating entrepreneurship in the public eye and building a brand that will endure’. 

A description for the event, which took place at 5pm BST, reads: ‘Earlier this year, the Duchess of Sussex, launched As ever, a brand inspired by her love of cooking and entertaining. 

‘She has also been involved in a number of Netflix shows, including her recent lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, and launched podcasts.

‘She joins us to discuss the opportunities and challenges of life as a highly visible founder, as well as how she plans to leverage her significant influence to build a successful, long-lasting business empire.’

In October 2020, Meghan spoke at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Next Gen Virtual Summit to discuss ‘courageous leadership’ and share how she learned to ‘lead on a global stage’.

She looked elegant in a $328 blue and white strappy dress from African American designer Tracy Reese’s sustainable label Hope for Flowers for the occasion.

However, it was reported at the time that guests would need to pay $1,750 for the privilege, with tickets to the summit limited to invited guests willing to pay the hefty registration fee.

Meghan speaks at Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival on Friday last week 

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex attends the Balenciaga Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 4

Meghan later looked elegant in all black in another Balenciaga outfit in Paris on October 4

In a flurry of activity in October, Meghan popped up in Paris at the Balenciaga Spring-Summer 2026 show nine days ago where her daring white and black outfits made headlines around the world. 

Despite it being her first attempt to be taken seriously by the world of high fashion, Meghan found her whirlwind tour of the French capital beset by gaffes and awkward moments. 

She also shared an awkward kiss with Balenciaga’s designer Pierpaolo Piccioli – and ended up butting heads with him as they leaned in for an embrace.

She then faced claims she may have made yet another front row blunder, with video emerging of her appearing to laugh as a model took a tumble on the Balenciaga catwalk, next to her stony-faced friend.

When her friend didn’t seem amused, Meghan turned back around to watch the show with a more neutral expression, though a representative insisted she was not laughing at the model falling.

Meghan had to ask for an invite to her catwalk debut on her polarising Paris trip, Balenciaga’s top designer revealed.

The Duchess of Sussex said the visit to Fashion Week in the French capital was ‘the culmination of many years of…friendship’ with Pierpaolo Piccioli.

But Mr Piccioli has been rather more muted in his response, suggesting that their friendship is one of casual texting.

Prince Harry and Meghan before getting their Humanitarians of the Year award on Thursday

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry enjoyed lunch with tennis legend Serena Williams in New York’s Soho House last Friday 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were at Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival at Spring Studios on the same day

In a new interview the celebrated clothing designer revealed that Meghan had asked him if she could attend – rather than him sending her an invite.

But Mr Piccioli did say it was a ‘beautiful surprise’ and had helped keep her Paris visit to his show secret.

She returned to the states last week, before visiting New York with her husband Prince Harry. 

On Thursday, the couple attended the World Mental Health Day Gala where they were named ‘Humanitarians of the Year’. 

As they accepted the award, Meghan expressed the couple’s fears about how social media exposure will impact their children, Lilibet and Archie, six.

She said: ‘Our children, Archie and Lili, are just six and four years old. Luckily still too young for social media, but we know that day is coming.

‘Like so many parents, we think constantly about how to embrace technology’s benefits, while safeguarding against its dangers.’

While the Duke of Sussex, 41, was honoured as ‘a humanitarian, mental health advocate, environmentalist, and military combat veteran’, Meghan was noted as a ‘mother, wife, entrepreneur, and philanthropist’.