Meghan Markle seethed with anger as Princess Beatrice playfully taunted her during a visit to Spotify's offices.
This incident unfolded amidst criticism from Spotify executive Bill Simmons, who labeled Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as "grifters" for producing a mere 12 episodes despite their hefty £188 million multi-year deal with the streaming platform.
Despite the contract termination, Spotify hasn't shied away from engaging with other members of the royal family, notably Harry's cousin Beatrice, who appears to be quietly fostering a partnership with the company, perhaps to avoid overshadowing other content creators.
Reports from the Daily Mail disclose that Beatrice recently participated in an industry event at Spotify's London office. There, she led a discussion on the future of technology alongside former Warner Brothers Discovery Chief Priia Dogra and Saakshi Cabra Matal, the founder of the science-based meal delivery service Food Hack.
Beatrice has held the position of Vice President of Partnerships and Strategy at US software and data firm Affinity since 2017. Additionally, she established a company called B EQ in 2022, operating under the unassuming alias Beatrice York.
Last year, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Spotify contract, signed in 2020 following their relocation to America, was abruptly terminated after just one season of Meghan's podcast "Archetypes." Allegedly failing to meet productivity benchmarks, the deal's end prompted remarks from United Talent Agency CEO Jeremy Zimmer, who quipped, "Turns out Meghan Markle was not a great audio talent or necessarily any kind of talent." While Princess Beatrice might not possess the conventional educational background expected for her role, her university education and royal access likely provided valuable experience.
Conversely, Meghan Markle's lack of a university degree and professional experience has drawn criticism. Spotify insiders revealed tales of last-minute demands for re-edits and a general sense of unprofessionalism from Markle. Despite ample resources, including staff and finances, Markle has struggled to deliver consistent content, as evidenced by delays in her podcasts. Her latest venture with Lemonada, announced for 2025, raises eyebrows, considering her track record of delays and inconsistencies. It appears that Markle's interest wanes quickly, moving on to the next endeavor without fully committing to existing projects.
As Meghan Markle's podcast relaunch on Spotify is delayed until 2025, questions arise about its relevance and appeal to listeners. Critics question the logic behind releasing episodes several years old, anticipating minimal interest. Markle's tendency to lose interest quickly and pivot to new ventures is evident, leaving past projects unfinished. The ongoing saga of Meghan Markle's ventures underscores a pattern of fleeting engagements and suggests that her deal with Lemonada may follow a similar trajectory, leaving observers skeptical of her long-term commitment to any one endeavor.
