Netflix’s The Royals might dazzle viewers with vintage Bentleys, emerald-studded tiaras, and royal tantrums—but beneath the glitter lies something far more relevant: a masterclass in modern money management and startup investment.
The show begins with a royal tragedy—the death of patriarch Milind Soman—and a financial reckoning for his eccentric royal family. With estate funds dwindling and responsibilities knocking at the door, the family must trade champagne for spreadsheets.
The Financial Freefall After Milind Soman’s Death
Milind Soman’s character, even in death, casts a long shadow—especially after leaving his wealth to an unexpected heir named Maurice. This shocking revelation shakes the family’s fragile financial foundation. Suddenly, the royal estate isn’t just a historic palace; it’s a liability that needs reinvention.
Enter Sophie, the royal daughter-in-law, who pitches a bold idea: turn the palace into a revenue-generating Royal B&B. It’s a startup dream waiting to be built—or a disaster in the making.
Startup Life in a Royal Setting: Glitz Meets Grit
Sophie’s entrepreneurial vision is ambitious, but so are the challenges. She’s dismissed as impulsive by her board, overshadowed by a snarky rival, and met with resistance from her own family—especially the young maharaja Ishaan Khattar, who would rather admire his luxury car collection than sign business deals.
He complains: “The more I give to the palace, the more it wants from me.” A line that sounds less like royal angst and more like a frustrated founder running out of runway.
Startup founders might just relate.
Hidden Money Lessons Behind the Royal Melodrama
Despite the palace drama and generational dysfunctions (yes, the grandma smokes weed and the princess has no direction), The Royals offers some surprisingly solid financial lessons:
1. Startups are not fairy tales
Sophie’s startup B&B is greeted with skepticism. Why? Because startup success isn’t just about ideas—it’s about execution. Investors know this. Most startups fail within the first few years, and only a small percentage ever reach profitability.
2. The ‘Death Valley’ of Startups
Before a product exists, founders dip into personal savings and friends-and-family money. This early phase—often called the ‘Death Valley’—is where dreams often die due to lack of working capital, clarity, or market validation.
3. Prototype to Progress
The next phase involves creating prototypes and testing the market. This is when angel investors may join in, provided the product has potential. Sophie’s plan lacks a market-tested model, which makes her pitch risky even for the fictional world.
4. The Role of Venture Capital (VC)
Eventually, mature startups attract venture capital funds, which bring money, structure, and expert oversight. But access here is limited—only accredited investors can usually play at this level, unless they invest indirectly through private equity funds.
5. Due Diligence is Non-Negotiable
If you’re ever tempted to back a startup (fictional or real), ask these questions:
- Is there a business plan?
- Is the market ready?
- Do the founders have the grit and skill to scale the company?
In The Royals, Sophie has the drive, but the lack of structure and a hostile co-founder (Ishaan) is a classic startup red flag.
So, Should You Invest Like Sophie?
If the royal family has to tighten their jewel-encrusted belts, maybe we too can learn to rethink our relationship with money. Sophie’s journey is a lesson in risk appetite, financial planning, and why blind ambition without structure rarely works.
Investing in a startup might seem glamorous—especially when wrapped in a Netflix plotline—but don’t let the drama distract you from the discipline real-world investing requires.
The Timing Dilemma: Is India Ready for This Show Right Now?
Admittedly, the show’s release feels awkward. With the nation gripped by rising Indo-Pak tensions and the suspension of IPL 2025, The Royals might not feel like essential viewing. But perhaps that’s exactly why it works—as a brief escape from the chaos.
Yes, there are cringe-worthy jokes. And yes, a shirtless prince sabotaging board meetings doesn’t scream credibility. But The Royals manages to slip in serious financial truths under its frothy surface.
And that, in itself, is worth watching.
