After officially stepping down as senior royals in 2020, Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle agreed that any business ventures they embarked on would not compromise the reputation of the monarchy. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex set up multimillion-pound partnerships with several well-known companies, including Spotify – a deal that came back to bite them last week when the streaming giant came under heavy fire for hosting podcasts by broadcaster Joe Rogan, who promotes anti-vaccine conspiracy theories.
A spokesperson for Harry and Megan’s charitable foundation Archewell released a statement about their concerns over the content on the platform.
“Last April, our co-founders began expressing concerns to our partners at Spotify about the all-too-real consequences of Covid-19 misinformation on its platform,” the spokesperson said last week.
“We have continued to express our concerns to Spotify to ensure changes to its platform are made to help address this public health crisis. We look to Spotify to meet this moment and are committed to continuing our work together as it does.”
Check out: Meghan's sartorial tributes to Harry's mum
All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana - slider
1 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
The glittering Roland Mouret gown worn by Meghan at the premiere of Cirque du Soleil's Totem show was reminiscent of a Catherine Walker dress Princess Diana wore in 1990.
2 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
Both Meghan and Diana chose a monochrome color palette for visits to Royal Ascot.
3 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
It seems both royals are a fan of pairing red and purple. Princess Diana wore the combo a visit to Hong Kong in November 1989 while Meghan wore it on a visit to Birkenhead in January of 2019.
4 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
In 1987 Princess Diana wore tartan at Bute Highland Games in Scotland and two decades later Meghan wore a Burberry tartan coat for an official visit to Scotland during her engagement.
5 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
Meghan sheer pleated Givenchy skirt (which caused quite the controversy) and matching top may well have been inspired by Princess Diana's all-blue look from 1982.
6 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
Both royal women are a fan of pinstripes, as seen by this pinstriped blazer worn by Diana in Sheffield and the buttoned Altuzarra dress Meghan wore at the Commonwealth Youth Forum.
7 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
Even at the end of her royal duties, Meghan channelled Diana in her wardrobe. Just look at this green dress and matching hat worn by Meghan on Commonwealth Day compared to Diana's Trooping of the Colour dress and hat from 1982.
8 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
At the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, one of the very first times we saw Meghan and Harry in public together, Meghan and her cali-girl vibes looked very similar to an outfit Princess Diana wore while in Bosnia.
9 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
Not ones to shy away from colour, Princess Diana and Meghan also both know just how amazing a simple white dress can look.
10 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
Both have sported tailored blush pink dresses. Princess Diana wore a Versace coat dress in 1995 while The Duchess of Sussex wore a modern take on the trend when visiting the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition at Southbank Centre in London.
11 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
Meghan's second wedding dress (a Stella McCartney design) was noticeably similar to a high-necked evening gown worn by Princess Diana at a reception at Spencer House in London.
12 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
Meghan wore a stunning Safiyaa caped red gown o the Mountbatten Festival of Music at Royal Albert Hall that looked very similar to the red Jacques Azagury dress Diana wore to an American Red Cross dinner in 1997.
13 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
The chic plaid suit that Diana wore while at Paddington Station in London in 1988 looks very similar to an off-the-shoulder structured shirt Meghan wore on a visit to Wales.
14 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
The off-the-shoulder pink Carolina Herrera dress Meghan wore to Trooping the Colour was rather similar to Princess Diana's look worn at the Royal Ballet in Germany in 1987.
15 of 15All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana
At Commonwealth Day in March 2019 Meghan wore an emerald green Erden coat not dissimilar to the one worn by Princess Diana in 1982.
The deal Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, made with the streaming service is reportedly worth around £18m, and while musicians like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell have requested their music be removed from it, the couple have been criticised for seemingly putting money over morals.
One online commenter fumed, “You can’t have it both ways – seems their morals go out the window when it comes to money.”
But our source says they’re not concerned. “Their ambition to make money has never been higher, nor has Meghan’s desire to return to the entertainment sphere with Harry by her side,” explains our insider close to the Sussexes, who also have a £100million deal with Netflix.
Now read this:
Love Island’s Hugo Hammond unveils jaw-dropping post-villa transformation
“There was no way she would pull out of the Spotify deal – it’s worth too much. There’s not a week that passes when they’re not getting tapped up by businesses and individuals who are willing to essentially write blank cheques in return for endorsement. They’re aware of the narrative that they’re trying to make a cheap buck at all costs, but they turn down a lot, and at this point, the criticism is just water off a duck’s back.
"They see no need to defend themselves and are just focused on building a successful dynasty for their family that can last for generations to come. They’re very ambitious and don’t see any problem with making big money, provided they stay true to their ethical values and conduct their business respectfully.”
Watch: "Should've had a poo!" Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies talk The Crown and SO much more! 🤣
It was also reported last week that Meghan may be about to relaunch her successful lifestyle blog, The Tig. The mum of two had originally closed down the website after getting engaged to Harry, but it seems the Duchess has applied to reinstate the trademark.
“The Tig will be relaunched with a ton of their own cash, along with cross partnership deals and outside investment,” our source reveals.
“And while it’s exciting, there’s no doubt it’s also a huge gamble. They insist they’ve got this and it’s all going to turn out fine – they’ll be billionaires in due course and use that money for the greater good. It doesn’t cross their mind that they may be biting off more than they can chew.”
Read even more celeb stories in this week's heat magazine - out now.