Meghan Markle’s highly-anticipated Spotify podcast did reel in some serious numbers when it first released, although over time, audience retention dwindled, forcing the partnership to end abruptly, but now Queen Consort Camilla is still firing ahead with all cylinders for her own – so what happened?
The Duchess of Sussex spoke to celebrity women on her Spotify podcast, discussing various topics about womanhood, feminism, stereotypes and growing up or living in the spotlight. Some of Meghan Markle‘s famous guests included showbiz pal Serena Williams and singing sensation Mariah Carey. Initially, it skyrocketed to the top of the music giant’s podcast charts, but unfortunately, it didn’t linger in the number one spot. Over time, viewership dwindled, which can happen to any venture, and the royal parted ways with Spotify. Now, Queen Camilla‘s podcast is set to return for another series after its popularity, and an expert claims Meghan Markle didn’t learn a ‘valuable lesson’ that could have impacted her own success.
The royals love a podcast
Now, Meghan Markle did find some success in her podcast, similar to Queen Consort Camilla, but she’s not the only one.
Members of The Firm love a podcast it seems, with Princess Eugenie co-hosting two series of Floodlight, and Prince William talking to famous footballer Pete Crouch’s Time to Walk series. Eugenie’s podcast was put out by the Anti-Slavery Collective, which she co-founded.
Wills was back for some action though, teaming up with his wife Kate Middleton and aunt Princess Anne to join his cousin-in-law, Mike Tindall, on his series, The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, last year.
Now, the wife of King Charles has announced her Queen’s Reading Room podcast is launching its second series.
This success for Camilla may be a sour moment for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, after they made the ‘mutual decision’ to leave Spotify after a dozen podcasts episodes.
Considering the Sussexes were named as one of Time’s most influential people the year after they left The Firm, that influence didn’t seem to transfer into the audio world.
Meghan Markle’s podcast journey overshadowed by Camilla
In December 2020, almost a year after the couple left the firm with the then baby Prince Archie, Spotify announced the partnership. It was reported they signed a deal worth $20m, which was much-needed after the Duke claimed his father ‘cut him off financially’.
Although, their friend and author Omid Scobie alleged, they ‘didn’t see most of that money’ in his bombshell new book about the royal family last year.
Camilla’s podcast came into being after the Queen spoke about her favorite books during lockdown, growing into the Reading Room initiative-turned-charity. Last year, it became a podcast and was in the top one percent globally when it released.
Although Meghan has parted ways with Spotify, she’s signed another deal with Lemonada Media, for a ‘dynamic’ new podcast.
Royal expert Daniela Elser says the 42-year-old missed out on learning from a ‘valuable lesson’ that could have helped her success.
She writes: “For about the 7523th time, this is not how I or anyone even armed with a crystal ball and a time machine, would have ever predicted things would go.
“Camilla is hosting massive palace events around sexual assault and doing more podcasts and Meghan is, I don’t know, wielding a dough scraper or demonstrating the easiest way to whip up a remoulade while the cameras roll.
“However, what might things have looked like if the duchess had vaguely followed her step-mother-in-law’s lead?”
Elser adds: “The big lesson that Camilla could have taught not only Meghan but Harry too is that patience, hardwork and ignoring the yapping voices of Fleet Street can and will pay off.”
It’s been hit-and-miss for the Sussexes
The duo have dipped their toes into a lot of different ventures, which may be hard to follow. Here’s the low-down.
After leaving the palace, Harry and Meghan sat down for a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. A few months before, their deals with Spotify and Netflix (said to be worth $100m) were announced.
The Suits star released a children’s book, which was a letter she wrote to Harry over his relationship with Archie. It sold 3,000 copies in the first week, which is a far cry from Harry’s memoir, which sold 1.4m copies on the first day in the US, Canada and the UK.
The Duke appeared alongside James Corden on The Late, Late Show, while Meghan tried to prank unknowing vendors on The Ellen DeGeneres show by drinking out of a baby bottle.
Then their Netflix series came out, followed by Harry’s book Spare, with the latest venture being Meghan’s America Riviera Orchard, a brand that sells homewares, jams and spreads. Although, two months after the announcement, the website is not up and running, and she’s been sending jars of strawberry jam to influencers, like Kris Jenner, so it’s not in full swing just yet.
One thing experts can agree on, is how the couple can’t seem to make up their mind on what their new path is after airing the royal family’s dirty laundry.
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