Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appear to be clinging onto their £19million Spotify deal that fell through after an executive called the couple “f***ing grifters”.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are yet to remove the deal from their Archewell website, with it still listed as one of their achievements. The couple signed an exclusive £19million deal with the streaming giant after stepping down from their roles as working royals.
In a bid to become financially free from the Royal Family, Harry and Meghan set about building relationships and forming partnerships with a number of platforms.
But their Spotify deal wasn’t meant to be, with it coming to an abrupt end last summer as an executive slammed the pair publicly.
Meghan produced just one podcast as part of the deal – Archetypes with Meghan – which proved popular at the time as she spoke with celebrity guests including friend Serena Williams.
But the top Spotify executive called the couple “f***ing grifters” as the deal came to an end, with the comment meaning it’s unlikely the streaming platform will work with them again.
However, Meghan and Harry still mention their partnership on their website. Describing it, 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.
“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.”
The podcast Archetypes ran for 12 episodes. The Duchess spoke to a number of celebrities, including Paris Hilton, and experts about history of stereotypes levelled against women.
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 added: “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.”
