Harry and Meghan Markle’s short Spotify reign has come to an end.
The Sussex’s Archewell Audio and the audio streaming service have “mutually agreed” to terminate the exclusive podcast deal agreed upon in 2020, Variety reports. The deal was reportedly worth around $20 million.
“Spotify and Archewell Audio have mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together,” read a joint statement from the companies, according to the outlet.
News of the collaboration’s disintegration comes after Prince Harry, 38, and the “Suits” alum, 41, churned out but a single series for Spotify, which expected more from Archewell, according to Variety.
The Markle-hosted “Archetypes” debuted on Spotify late last summer and saw the actress-turned-royal discussing female stereotypes — such as the labels of “divas,” “bimbos” and “crazy” — with celebrities and historians alike. Guests on the People’s Choice Award-winning podcast, which also topped multiple Spotify charts around the globe, included Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton, Serena Williams, and “Sex and the City” author Candace Bushnell, to name a few.
Harry and Meghan are not discouraged though, an insider told Variety. That source insists the couple — whose relationship last year was once again spotlit in a much-discussed Netflix docuseries — had been looking to get away from exclusive distribution through Spotify and wanted somewhere else to house their audio slate.
Barack and Michelle Obama, whose similarly exclusive Spotify podcast deal ended last year, also allegedly wanted more freedom with distribution, according to Variety. The company meanwhile claimed it had opted against continuing the former President and First Lady’s contract.
Another insider in the know about the Sussex’s situation said the end of their deal has nothing to do with Spotify’s recently announced restructuring, according to the outlet.
The streamer isn’t the only place where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex might not be welcome at this time. The couple was reportedly not invited to Saturday’s party celebrating the birthday of Harry’s dad, the recently crowned King Charles.