Meghan Markle must be taking note of Queen Camilla’s latest success, as her new project, the “Reading Room” podcast, outshines previous podcast endeavors that got canceled after just one season.
Queen Camilla’s podcast has rapidly climbed to the top of the Apple podcast charts in various countries, gaining significant recognition in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Launched as an extension of a book club formed during the 2021 lockdowns, the podcast features discussions with notable figures like Serrian Rankin and Dame Joan Alum.
In contrast, Meghan Markle’s foray into podcasting, which she initially shared with Prince Harry, faced discontinuation in 2023. The “Archetypes” podcast, hosting celebrities such as Serena Williams and Mariah Carey, was discontinued following a mutual decision with Spotify. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek acknowledged the need to step back from deals that didn’t meet expectations, stating, “We overpaid relative to what we should have done.”
Royal enthusiasts have expressed excitement over Queen Camilla’s podcast success, celebrating her achievement on social media platforms. The stark difference in fortunes between Queen Camilla and Meghan Markle has not gone unnoticed. Commentators, like Denise Palmer Davis, see Camilla’s podcast success as perfect revenge against Meghan and Harry, especially considering Meghan’s podcast struggles.
Camilla, an advocate for literacy, utilizes the podcast to share her passion for reading and literature in a world dominated by short-form social media messages. Meanwhile, Meghan’s professional endeavors post-Royal duties have faced skepticism and critiques of her abilities. United Talent Agency’s Zimmer candidly remarked, “Turns out Meghan Markle wasn’t a great audio talent.” The Wall Street Journal labeled the Sussexes as a Hollywood flop, and The Hollywood Reporter included them in their list of “Biggest Losers of 2023.”
The divergence in the podcasting paths of Queen Camilla and Meghan Markle underscores the varied public reception and outcomes of their respective projects. While Queen Camilla revels in the success of her literary-themed podcast, Meghan and Prince Harry’s post-Royal career ventures are viewed as one of the biggest failures in Hollywood, marked by disappointing accounts and losses with Spotify. The couple has been subject to mockery and criticism, with their future projects and Hollywood’s reception remaining uncertain.