Author Says Meghan Markle’s ‘Pearl’ and Her Book Series Had Similarities ‘Too Great to Ignore’

Children's author Mel Elliott wrote and published the book series "Pearl Power" years before the Duchess of Sussex announced her now-canceled animated Netflix series "Pearl."

Elliott spoke out in a recent interview with the Daily Mail about the similarities she noted between her book series and Meghan Markle's "Pearl."

The Duchess announced the animated series in July 2021 as part of her and Prince Harry's multi-year deal with streaming giant Netflix, through which they were to create scripted series, features, children's programming, docuseries, documentaries, and more.

Produced under the royals' Archewell Productions banner, "Pearl" followed the story of a 12-year-old girl who finds inspiration from influential women in history, and goes on a journey of self-discovery while overcoming life's daily challenges.

Markle was set to executive produce the show alongside Elton John's husband David Furnish.

Elliott's first book of her series was originally published in 2014. According to its Google description, "Pearl Power is a feisty five-year-old who believes very strongly in girl and boy equality."

Four years later, in 2018, Elliott started testing an animated version of "Pearl Power." The first practice episode was inspired by a 1973 interview by pro tennis player Billy Jean King.

Elliott's plan for her show was that each episode would have a similar structure, all beginning with Pearl Power doing a project on a famous, inspiring woman.

The writer said she was disappointed and confused by how similar Markle's "Pearl" and her "Pearl Power" were. "Of course, I can't know if anyone on her team had seen it and been inspired by it, but the similarities were too great for me to ignore," she shared.

She had her lawyers send a letter suggesting a potential infringement of copyright to the Duke and Duchess's Archewell Foundation shortly after Markle's announcement.

She followed up with two more personal letters to Netflix and the Foundation in October 2021 and February 2022, respectively, but never heard back. "Pearl" was quietly canceled a few months later in May 2022.

Elliott said she was glad "Pearl" was dropped and hoped her efforts had something to do with that. Still, she added, "What I really wanted was for it to have gone ahead, and for me to have been acknowledged or invited to work as a collaborator on the series."