The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have publicly celebrated the world premiere of their documentary Cookie Queens at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, describing their involvement as a source of immense pride and privilege. The film, a coming-of-age story centred on Girl Scouts navigating the multi-million dollar cookie-selling business, marks another creative venture for the couple's media production company, Archewell Productions.
A Heartfelt Tribute to American Tradition
Meghan Markle, 44, delivered a passionate speech at the festival in Utah, where she lauded the documentary for its powerful and meaningful depiction of an iconic American tradition. In a video shared on social media platform X, the Duchess articulated her and Prince Harry's deep connection to the project, emphasising its significance beyond mere nostalgia.
"This film is 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," Meghan stated from the podium. "It is now put through this lens from the incredible creative vision of Alysa to show something modernised about the girlhood experience and all the layers of complexity that come with that."
Behind the Scenes of 'Cookie Queens'
The documentary, directed by Alysa Nahmias, follows four determined young girls as they strive to become top-selling 'Cookie Queens', navigating an $800 million enterprise where childhood innocence intersects with budding ambition. Archewell Productions collaborated with Beautiful Stories and AJNA Films to bring this unique narrative to life, showcasing the resilience and leadership potential of the Girl Scouts.
Meghan further highlighted the personal resonance of the project, noting that both she and Nahmias, as mothers of daughters, found the experience incredibly special. "Alyssa is also a mom of a daughter, and I think for both of us, working on this project has been incredibly special as parents, as mothers, to be able to see something that our girls will be able to watch and enjoy as well," she remarked in an interview captured by Deadline.
Royal Presence on the Red Carpet
Prince Harry, 41, joined his wife at the prestigious film festival, making a notable appearance after his recent visit to London for legal proceedings against the publisher of the Daily Mail. The couple were photographed on the red carpet, engaging warmly with the production team behind Cookie Queens, underscoring their hands-on involvement in the project.
The Duke and Duchess, parents to six-year-old Archie and four-year-old Lilibet, have consistently used their platform to champion stories that inspire and uplift. Their speech at Sundance reinforced this commitment, with Meghan praising the young subjects of the documentary as "layered beautiful girls who are about to become very strong leaders and young women."
Archewell Productions' Expanding Portfolio
Founded in 2020, Archewell Productions has established a robust partnership with Netflix, producing a range of acclaimed content. The company's portfolio includes the intimate documentary series Harry And Meghan in 2022, Meghan's lifestyle series With Love, Meghan in 2025, and impactful projects like Live To Lead (2022), Heart Of Invictus (2023), and Polo (2024).
Cookie Queens represents a continuation of their mission to create media that fosters connection and empowerment, blending entertainment with substantive social commentary. The film's premiere at Sundance, a festival renowned for showcasing independent and innovative cinema, further solidifies Archewell's growing influence in the entertainment industry.
As the festival continues, the Sussexes' endorsement of Cookie Queens has sparked considerable interest, highlighting the enduring appeal of Girl Scouts' traditions while exploring contemporary themes of ambition, leadership, and girlhood in modern America.
