Queen Camilla's recent venture into podcasting with the launch of "The Reading Room" has sparked discussions among royal commentators, with some viewing it as a subtle retaliation against Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. This move comes after the Sussexes' own Spotify deal, including Meghan's 'Archetypes' podcast, was terminated last year.
Royal expert Denise Palmer Davies suggested that Camilla's successful foray into podcasting, especially in a domain where Meghan and Harry have faltered, could be seen as a form of revenge. "After all the hurtful things Harry has said about Camilla, she has finally got her own back on them. If her podcast does well, she will have achieved in an area they so desperately wanted to succeed in, then that is the perfect revenge," Davies told Fabulous.
Camilla, an avid reader, personally hosts the podcast and features prominent guests like Joanna Lumley and Ian Rankin. Her online book club, initiated during the lockdown, has garnered significant attention, boasting over 167,000 followers on Instagram.
Despite the speculation, Jennie Bond, another royal commentator, suggested that revenge was unlikely to be Camilla's motive. She believes the Queen's primary aim is to share her love of reading and encourage others to enjoy literature. Bond added, "Camilla is better than that. I very much doubt that she gives Meghan much thought - she is far too busy making a resounding success of her new role."
"The more we see of this Queen, the more people come to appreciate that she is an immensely likable person, down-to-earth, caring and dignified, and that will all contribute to the undoubted success of her podcast," Bond stated, emphasizing Camilla's increasing popularity among the public.
While the podcast is not a commercial venture, some industry insiders believe that Camilla's endorsement could significantly boost British industries, particularly in areas like fashion and lifestyle. The podcast, according to Bond, is a charitable venture that reflects Camilla's modern and comfortable embrace of platforms like Instagram and podcasts.
As for Meghan Markle, Bond speculated that she might view Camilla's success with a degree of envy, considering how Camilla has adapted to royal life and made a success of her role. Bond also noted that unlike Meghan, Camilla doesn't need to appease any commissioning editors, as her podcast is not driven by commercial interests but by a genuine passion for literature.
