Meghan's friends claim Netflix 'used' her to promote Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen after her casting talks collapsed

Netflix reportedly leaked the casting talks because it knew season two 'wasn't as good as the first'. A third series had already been commissioned. Barb figures show the second season's debut drew three million UK viewers, around 15 per cent down on the 3.5 million who watched the first. Season two, starring Theo James and Kaya Scodelario, launched on September 3.

'It's the oldest marketing trick in the book,' one friend of the Duchess said.

Tina Brown said the casting was withdrawn because the UK backlash made it 'untenable'.

The episode reportedly left 'a sour taste in the Sussex camp's mouth'.