Harry and Meghan’s Media Empire Crumbles: The Downfall of a Royal Duo

In recent news that has garnered significant public attention, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, have cut ties with Spotify just three years after agreeing to a $20 million USD collaboration. Royal experts interpret this move as a sign that the media empire the couple had been building in the United States is on the verge of collapse, compounded by financial woes arising from their extravagant and lavish lifestyle.

A reliable source confirmed to the New York Post on June 15 that Meghan’s podcast, Archetypes, will not be renewed for a second season, despite its successful launch in 2022. Insiders suggest that the couple failed to produce enough content to justify the multimillion-dollar payments as initially negotiated.

In a joint statement, Spotify and Archewell Audio, founded by Harry and Meghan, announced their amicable parting, expressing pride in their collaborative efforts.

An Archewell Productions spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal that Meghan is continuing to develop content for the Archetypes audience on a different platform. Archetypes was a podcast created to discuss topics related to women and the stereotypes that constrain them.

The show had featured A-list Hollywood stars like Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton, and Mindy Kaling, engaging in conversations with Meghan. However, no new episodes have been released since November 2022.

The exact reason for Harry and Meghan’s decision to end their collaboration with Spotify remains unclear. However, according to Page Six, the couple began contemplating their departure after fellow Spotify signee Joe Rogan made controversial comments about COVID-19 vaccines on his podcast. Essentially, they did not want to be associated with Joe Rogan’s views.

In April, Meghan also signed a contract with talent management company WME, which represents content creators from the former members of the British royal family under the brand Archewell. Meghan’s team at WME, led by Endeavour CEO Ari Emanuel, believed they could make her a powerful player in Hollywood.

Page Six’s sources indicate that while Meghan may not want to return to acting, she hopes the management company will help elevate her career.

Public discussions have emerged surrounding the implications of Harry and Meghan’s Spotify departure, with many experts suggesting that this may mark the beginning of the downfall of their media empire in the US.

Biographer and royal writer Angela Levin assessed the couple’s current value as significantly diminished compared to before. She also predicted a disastrous future for their upcoming projects.

“This is a crucial turning point for Harry and Meghan,” Levin wrote on Twitter.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams echoed Levin’s sentiments, referring to the termination of the Sussex’s financially lucrative podcast deal as a failure.

“The original idea was that several programs would be produced. But only one materialized, so the deal was undoubtedly considered a failure. Clearly, this partnership didn’t benefit either party,” he emphasized to The Sun.

The collapse of the $20 million deal is believed to have added financial pressure on the Sussexes as they grapple with the exorbitant expenses of their high-end lifestyle in Montecito, California.

The property they purchased in June 2020 for $14.7 million carries a substantial mortgage. Annual property taxes alone amount to $144,427, not to mention the costs for staff and maintenance.

In addition, Harry and Meghan spend about $2 million a year on security, legal fees for Harry’s lawsuit against the British media, and operational expenses for Archewell.

“They are not bankrupt, but they have to keep spending instead of saving,” an insider revealed.

However, Spotify is not the sole source of income for the couple. They still have a five-year collaboration with Netflix, reportedly worth around $100 million USD. Harry also holds the position of Impact Director at the online therapy startup Better Up, earning a salary higher than regular employees. Additionally, revenue from the sale of Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” contributes to their financial standing.

Presently, all eyes are on WME and Ari Emanuel to see how far they will take Meghan’s career or if the predictions about the Sussexes’ declining career trajectory will indeed materialize.