The much-publicized multi-million-dollar partnership between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Spotify concluded in June 2023, less than three years after it was signed. Initially hailed as a groundbreaking collaboration, the deal resulted in only one podcast series, Archetypes, hosted by Meghan, while Harry made just one brief appearance and failed to produce a solo project under the contract.
Bloomberg reported that Harry proposed several ambitious ideas during discussions with Spotify producers. One concept involved interviewing controversial world figures such as Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump to explore their formative years and how those experiences influenced their lives. Another idea reportedly focused on global issues like climate change and religion, with Harry expressing interest in securing an interview with Pope Francis.
However, these proposals were met with skepticism. Bloomberg noted that insiders viewed the practicality of such plans as "questionable at best," pointing out the unlikelihood of figures like Putin or Pope Francis agreeing to such interviews.
When the deal officially ended, both Spotify and the Sussexes' production company released a joint statement, announcing they had "mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together." Despite the cordial tone of the statement, internal frustrations emerged publicly. Bill Simmons, Spotify's Head of Podcast Innovation and Monetization, didn't mince words when commenting on the Sussexes' departure.
"The f***ing grifters," Simmons said on his podcast."That's the podcast we should have launched with them. 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 Sussexes' venture into podcasting highlighted the challenges of transitioning their celebrity status into meaningful content creation. While Meghan's Archetypes gained some traction, Harry's lack of involvement in producing original content raised questions about his engagement with the project.
Amid the fallout, Harry has shifted focus to his philanthropic work. Recently, he visited Vancouver to promote the 2025 Winter Invictus Games, an international event he founded in 2014 for injured service members and veterans. During the visit, Harry attended the Canadian football Grey Cup, launched an Invictus Games educational program, and met with First Nations leaders, distributing tickets to young attendees.
The 2025 Winter Invictus Games, set to debut winter sports such as Nordic skiing, wheelchair curling, snowboarding, and alpine skiing, represent a significant milestone in Harry's ongoing efforts to support veterans and foster international camaraderie through sports.
