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Since they ceased their royal duties and moved to California this year, the couple have launched several creative ventures and taken legal action against British tabloids for privacy violations.
FILE: Meghan Markle (left) and Prince Harry. Image: Instagram / sussexroyal
LONDON – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have signed an agreement with Spotify to produce podcasts that tell “uplifting and entertaining stories,” the streaming service said on Tuesday.
Since they ceased their royal duties and moved to California this year, the couple have launched several creative ventures and taken legal action against British tabloids for privacy violations.
They signed a deal with streaming giant Netflix in September to produce “shocking” movies and series, while Markle, a former television actress, narrated a wildlife documentary on Disney +.
Shares of Spotify, which has 144 million subscribers, rose 2% Tuesday morning after the news.
He has previously signed podcasters for celebrities such as Barack and Michelle Obama, and Kim Kardashian West.
The company did not say how much the royal deal was worth.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in a statement that “what we love about podcasting is that it reminds all of us to take a moment and really listen.”
In an introductory trailer, the prince introduces himself: “Hey guys, I’m Harry.”
He says his podcasts “will bring different perspectives and voices that you may not have heard before.”
Markle adds that podcasts will “celebrate kindness and compassion.”
Spotify launched in Sweden in 2008 and describes itself as the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service.
Spotify’s commercial director of content and advertising Dawn Ostroff said in a statement: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex may live in California, but the power of their voices lies in their status as citizens of the world.”
The company said Harry and Meghan will launch a “Christmas special” this month with “stories of hope and compassion from inspiring guests.”
Its first full series will be available next year.
The couple said the “challenges of 2020” made it particularly important to hear everyone’s stories, to “remember how interconnected we all are.”
“So many people have been through so much pain this year,” Harry said.
The Duchess wrote a first-person opinion piece on The New York Times in November about the miscarriage of her second pregnancy.
The couple will host and produce podcasts through their start-up Archewell Audio.
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