The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are quickly becoming big media players thanks to their recent $177 million Netflix deal and, now, a partnership with Spotify that will see Prince Harry and Meghan Markle host their very own podcast.
The series, called Archewell Audio, was announced with the release of a short trailer to give listeners a taste of upcoming episodes. “One of the things my husband and I have always talked about is our passion for meeting people and hearing their stories,” says Meghan in the clip. “And no matter what the story, they usually offer an understanding of where someone else is coming from. And in some way, remind you of a story about yourself.”
In the playful audio excerpt, Meghan and Harry can be heard making jokes about who should intro the show, as well as the Prince’s podcast voice. “Ladies first?” asks Harry, to which Meghan responds, “No, say it because I think it sounds really nice with your accent.”
Put. The. Kettle. On.
A new holiday special from Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, is coming soon only on Spotify ☕️ ️https://t.co/ZlFRPzLe9R
— Spotify (@Spotify) December 15, 2020
The couple want their show to offer the audience a moment to connect with others by hearing their stories, with Harry saying the series will “bring forward different perspectives and voices that perhaps you haven’t heard before.”
They acknowledge that 2020 has been rough going and that they hope to bring people back together. “So many people have suffered so much pain this year, experiencing loss and a huge amount of uncertainty but it feels worth mentioning that 2020 has connected us in ways we could never have imagined,” explained Harry.
Spotify is understandably stoked to have nabbed another big celebrity score, having previously partnered with the Obamas and a suite of other local and international talent on exclusive content.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex may live in California but the power of their voices rests in their status as citizens of the world,” read a statement from Dawn Ostroff, chief content and advertising business officer for the streaming service. “That they are embracing the extraordinary capacity of podcasts on Spotify while also seeking to elevate underrepresented voices is a testament to their appreciation for the potential of audio storytelling.”
Expect the first episode to drop on Spotify some time before Christmas, if the couple humming festive tunes during the trailer is any indication.