Meghan Markle may have believed she had the podcast world wrapped around her finger, but a new contender has entered the scene.
Cresida Bonas, actress and socialite, is launching a fresh podcast—and the guest list includes none other than Princess Eugenie. That’s right. Meghan’s former friend and ever-diplomatic royal cousin-in-law has chosen to lend her voice, not to Meghan’s upcoming endeavor, but to a project spearheaded by none other than Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriend. The tension behind the Montecito mansion walls must be almost unbearable.
Cresida recently announced the launch of Lessons from Our Mothers, a podcast dedicated to exploring the profound influence of motherhood. While the concept itself is warm and sentimental, it has also inadvertently—or perhaps deliberately—stirred the pot. The podcast is set to debut on March 30th, aligning perfectly with the UK’s Mother’s Day, and promises a series of intimate conversations about maternal figures and their impact. Joining Cresida on this heartfelt journey is her half-sister, Isabella Branson. The series boasts an impressive lineup of guests, including acclaimed actress Kate Winslet, bestselling author Giovanna Fletcher, and the beloved Mary Berry. However, the real showstopper? Princess Eugenie, who will make an appearance to share touching anecdotes about her mother, Sarah Ferguson.
For Meghan, this development likely stings more than she’d care to admit. In a move straight out of a royal drama, Eugenie has chosen to contribute her insights to Lessons from Our Mothers rather than Meghan’s forthcoming podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, which is set to be produced by Lemonada Media. The irony doesn’t stop there—this isn’t Cresida’s first experience in the podcasting world. She previously hosted Fear Itself, a series that delved into personal fears and anxieties, featuring high-profile guests like Sir Richard Branson. With 37 episodes under its belt before wrapping in 2021, it’s clear that Cresida knows her way around the industry. Unlike some, she doesn’t just attach her name to a project and expect it to succeed.
Meanwhile, Meghan’s Confessions of a Female Founder is slated for release in April, promising candid discussions with female entrepreneurs about their struggles, triumphs, and behind-the-scenes stories of building a business. It’s a commendable concept, but one that unmistakably carries a subtext—another attempt to highlight the ways in which she felt unheard during her time in the royal family. Will it include shocking revelations? Most likely. Thinly veiled jabs at the monarchy? Almost guaranteed. But will it generate the same level of excitement as a podcast featuring a real-life princess and Mary Berry’s wisdom on baking and life? That remains to be seen.
The optics of this situation are nothing short of fascinating. On one side, Cresida effortlessly assembles A-list talent and old friends for a heartwarming project, while on the other, Meghan unveils yet another platform centered around herself. To some, it may seem like an attempt to reinvent her public persona in the wake of the Archetypes fallout. At the end of the day, the podcasting world is vast, with room for all voices—even if, at the moment, one voice might be feeling a bit more sidelined than expected.
