Queen Camilla has achieved a significant milestone with her new podcast, "The Queen's Reading Room Podcast," which has swiftly climbed to the top of the Apple Podcast charts in several countries. This success comes in the wake of Meghan Markle's less fortunate venture with Spotify, where her podcast "Archetypes" was canceled after its first season.
Launched as an extension of her book club created during the 2021 lockdown, Queen Camilla's podcast features discussions with prominent figures like Sir Ian Rankin and Dame Joanna Lumley. It has garnered top rankings in the UK, Canada, and Australia, and notable positions in New Zealand and the United States.
In contrast, Meghan Markle's foray into podcasting, a deal she shared with Prince Harry, was discontinued in 2023. "Archetypes," which hosted celebrities like Serena Williams and Mariah Carey, ended after just one season, following a "mutual decision" with Spotify. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek acknowledged the need to step back from deals that haven't met expectations, admitting, "We overpaid relative to what we should have done."
Royal enthusiasts have expressed their excitement over Queen Camilla's podcast success. Comments on social media platforms like X celebrate her achievement, with one user stating, "Queen Camilla is really topping all the charts!"
The contrast in fortunes between Queen Camilla and Meghan Markle has not gone unnoticed. Royal commentator Denise Palmer Davies remarked, "After all the hurtful things Harry has said about Camilla, she has finally got her own back on them." Davies sees Camilla's podcast success as a form of "perfect revenge" against Meghan and Harry, particularly given Meghan's podcast struggles.
Camilla, an advocate for literacy, has utilized the podcast to share her passion for reading and literature. "In a hectic world so dominated by short-form social media messages... it is a noble aim to encourage children and adults to enjoy a good, long read," Palmer Davies added.
Meanwhile, Meghan's professional endeavors since leaving royal duties have been met with skepticism. Critiques of her abilities have emerged, with Zimmer of United Talent Agency candidly commenting, "Turns out Meghan Markle was not a great audio talent." The Wall Street Journal referred to the Sussexes as a "Hollywood flop," and The Hollywood Reporter included them in their "biggest losers of 2023" list.
The divergence in the podcasting paths of Queen Camilla and Meghan Markle highlights the varied public reception and outcomes of their respective projects. While Queen Camilla basks in the success of her literary-themed podcast, Meghan's exit from the Spotify deal marks a challenging phase in her and Prince Harry's post-royal career ventures.
