Harry and Meghan's lasting shame over Spotify axe laid bare in surprising move

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have a bad history with Spotify
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have a bad history with Spotify

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle still seem to be clinging to their axed Spotify deal as they're yet to remove it from their Archewell website.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed an exclusive $25million (£19million) deal with the streaming service as they worked on becoming financially independent after stepping back from the Royal Family. However, the partnership was axed last summer after they produced just one podcast.

There was a bitter fallout, with Harry and Meghan being described as "f***ing grifters" by a top Spotify executive. The disaster hasn't seemed to have stopped the couple from continuing to shine a light on their Spotify partnership.

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Harry and Meghan's lasting shame over Spotify axe laid bare in surprising move qhiddeidzuiqhuinvPrince Harry and Meghan Markle were axed from Spotify (AFP via Getty Images)

Writing on their website, the couple said: "Archewell Audio is the newly formed, audio-first production company started by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Archewell Audio will produce programming that uplifts and entertains audiences around the world.

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"Under an exclusive partnership, Archewell Audio will join Spotify and their global reach—180 million Premium subscribers and 406 million monthly active users around the world—to spotlight diverse perspectives and voices. As part of the partnership, The Duke and Duchess through Archewell Audio produce podcasts and shows that build community through shared experiences, powerful narratives, and universal values."

Meghan hosted the podcast Archetypes which ran for 12 episodes. She spoke to a number of celebrities, such as Paris Hilton and Serena Williams, and experts about history of stereotypes levelled against women.

Harry and Meghan's lasting shame over Spotify axe laid bare in surprising moveThey were described as 'grifters' (AFP via Getty Images)

When the Spotify deal was axed, Bill Simmons, head of podcast innovation and monetisation at Spotify, hit out at the couple as he labelled them "f***ing grifters". Speaking in an episode of his own podcast, he said: "The f***ing grifters. That's the podcast we should have launched with them."

Bill added: "I've got to get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea. It's one of my best stories."

The decision for Meghan and Harry to part ways with Spotify was said to be "mutual". In a statement, the Sussexes said: "Spotify and Archewell Audio have mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together."

Scarlett O'Toole

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