Queen Camilla is gearing up to launch her audio program in January 2024. While Meghan Markle's podcast, Archewell Audio, was released on Spotify in 2022, it faced cancellation in June.
Now, Queen Camilla is stepping into the audio space with her weekly podcast series called "The Reading Room." Co-hosted with charity CEO Vicky Perin, the podcast will feature guests such as Serena Rankin and Dame Joanna Lumley. The Reading Room Festival, associated with this initiative, is set to return to Hampton Court Palace on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
This literary venture by Queen Camilla is an extension of her book club, established in 2021, aiming to celebrate literature and impactful authors. In the podcast trailer, Camilla appears glamorous in a navy blue frock and stunning gold jewelry. The Reading Room Festival, launched earlier this year in June, featured theatrical performances from notable figures like Dame Judy Dench, Ken Follett, Peter James, and Kate Moss.
Contrary to Meghan Markle's attempt to build an independent platform, her podcast Archewell Audio faced challenges and was discontinued by Spotify in June. Despite her aspirations to challenge and subvert societal labels, Meghan struggled to maintain a consistent audience and meet Spotify's expectations. The separation from Spotify was announced in a mutual statement, with an executive from the streaming service referring to Meghan and Prince Harry as "grifters."
Beyond the podcast drama, the couple's Netflix projects unrelated to "The Crown" failed to make the top 10 list. Meghan's family series, "Pearl," was also scrapped. Criticized as a Hollywood flop, they were featured on The Hollywood Reporter's "Biggest Losers of 2023" list. Despite this, the couple's decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 was defended as a move to escape a life of ceremonial public service.
The Hollywood Reporter highlighted how their behavior became the subject of comedic programs, emphasizing their whiny Netflix documentary, biography, and inert podcast. South Park, in particular, took a satirical approach, labeling the couple as "jeo grifters." Notably, Queen Camilla, despite lacking a relationship with the Sussexes, is reported to have no respect for the way Harry and Meghan handled themselves after stepping down from royal duties, according to Omid Scobie.
