Harry and Meghan still publicising expired Spotify partnership after axe

27 January 2024 , 09:46

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The couple are still promoting their expired Spotify deal

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are still boasting and promoting their expired Spotify partnership after it came to an end last year.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a lucrative $25million (£19million) deal with streaming service Spotify shortly after they stepped down as working members of the Royal Family. However, the partnership came to an abrupt and sudden end last year after the couple produced just a few episodes of one standalone podcast.

Amid the couple's partnership with Spotify, Meghan launched her own podcast series, Archetypes. The 12-episode series saw Meghan chat with different celebrity pals, including tennis icon Serena Williams, legendary singer Mariah Carey, and socialite Paris Hilton.

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Meghan released the Archetypes podcast as part of the couple's partnership with Spotify (PA)

But when the Sussexes' deal with the streaming platform came to an end, they were brutally described as "f***ing grifters" by a top Spotify executive. Bill Simmons, head of podcast innovation and monetisation at Spotify, hit out at the Sussexes in an episode of his own podcast, saying: "The f***ing grifters. That's the podcast we should have launched with them."

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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."

But despite the huge fallout and axe that happened in the spring of 2023, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Spotify deal is still listed on their Archewell Foundation website under the "Archewell Audio" section. The website currently reads: "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. 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."

Last spring, however, Archewell Audio, released a joint statement with Spotify announcing the end of their partnership. It read: "Spotify and Archewell Audio have mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together."

Mirror Online has reached out to Meghan and Harry's reps for comment.

Mollie Quirk