Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend Sundance premiere that doesn’t sell out

Sussexes draw mixed turnout at Sundance documentary premiere

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s appearance at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival did not draw a full house, despite the couple’s high-profile attendance.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were present Sunday morning in Park City, Utah, for the premiere of Cookie Queens, a documentary produced by their company, Archewell Productions. While the film was warmly received by attendees, the screening at the Eccles Theatre was notably not sold out, with dozens of empty seats visible as the documentary began.

Festivalgoers gradually filled some of the vacant spots, many of which had been reserved for premium pass-holders who chose not to attend. Even after wait-listers were admitted, open seats remained, a contrast to many Sundance screenings, which frequently overflow and turn away ticket holders due to overcapacity.

The turnout stood out given Sundance’s reputation for packed theaters, particularly for celebrity-backed projects. Other recent festival screenings, including premieres starring major Hollywood names, reportedly exceeded capacity, with staff forced to deny entry to ticketed guests.

Cookie Queens follows Girl Scouts from across the United States as they compete to sell the most cookie boxes, offering a lighthearted and family-friendly look at ambition, teamwork and community. The documentary also received a boost of attention a day earlier when Harry and Meghan made a surprise appearance at an additional Sundance screening in Salt Lake City.

In an uncommon move for an executive producer at the festival, Meghan addressed the audience ahead of the screening, thanking attendees for their early-morning turnout and acknowledging the lively festival atmosphere the night before. Harry, meanwhile, was seen greeting and hugging individuals involved in the project prior to the film’s start.

The Sundance appearance comes amid a challenging period for Archewell Productions. Recent reports indicate that Meghan’s Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan will not return for a third season, and the company has reportedly reduced its staff.

Despite the subdued turnout, the Sussexes emphasized their pride in supporting Cookie Queens, underscoring their continued interest in uplifting smaller, character-driven stories through their production work.