Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are ‘lazy f–king grifters’

royal family

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To Sarah Nathan

June 16, 2023 | 7:49 PM

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were branded “lazy” and “fucking scammers” by Spotify employees on Friday after the podcasting network signed a $20 million deal.

“‘The Fuck Grifters,’” said sportscaster Bill Simmons, who is also Spotify’s head of international sports content, on his podcast. That’s the podcast we should start with them. ”

His attack deepened the couple’s crisis, as a source said they were “lazy” compared to the Obamas, who were also signed to Spotify.

The exorbitant bills for living in Montecito, California swell, and the collapse of the agreement puts financial pressure on the Sussexes.

Purchased in June 2020 for $14.7 million, the Tuscan-inspired sprawling property has a large mortgage outstanding.

Annual property taxes alone cost $144,427, plus staffing and maintenance.

The couple’s private security details are believed to cost about $2 million a year in bills, along with legal costs from Prince Harry’s endless battles with the British press, and they’re in Archwell without Spotify’s cash. company must survive.

“They are not bankrupt,” the source stressed.

“But they’re going to have to keep spending the money instead of putting it in the bank.”

The Sussexes’ Spotify deal was signed in 2020, but in two-and-a-half years, it delivered just 13 hours of programming (12 episodes of Markle’s podcast “Archetype” plus a one-off holiday special).

They will not be paid close to the full amount that they should have received from the deal.

Officials sharply contrast the failed Sussex deal with a similar Obama deal that ended last year.

“‘Archetype’ did well and won several awards, but when you’re doing a deal like this, it’s not great to have just one series for a long period of time,” said the Sussexes close to the deal. an official said.

“To put this in context, the Obamas and their production company, Higher Ground, have launched multiple new series.”

Simmons recounts how he was called to help Harry and how it failed. It’s one of my best stories. ”

He added, “I wish I had been part of the ‘Meghan Markle and Prince Harry leaving Spotify’ negotiations.” This is the podcast we should have started with them. ”

Another industry insider added, “Spotify wants to focus on people like Alex Cooper, Dax Shepard and Emma Chamberlain who drive strong audiences.” There are a lot of great aspiring creators out there.

“Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are freaks in all of this. I think they come across as lazy and cranky.”

Spotify and Archewell said in a statement, “We have both agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we have created together.”

Since quitting full-time royal duties in 2021, suing for privacy, and kicking off a new life in America, including slamming Prince Harry’s family in an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, only two have lost Spotify. A dramatic change of fate for

But since signing deals with Netflix and Spotify, the couple’s popularity seems to have plummeted and they’ve been plagued by staff turnover.

Last month, the two were chased “at high speed” for hours on New York City streets by “extremely aggressive” paparazzi in an “almost catastrophic car chase” and were mocked for claiming they switched from an SUV to a taxi at one point. rice field. The driver contradicted his account, leading to further public ridicule.

Now they seem to be completely estranged from the royal family.

The first Trooping the Color celebrations since Queen Elizabeth’s death, and the first under King Charles, will take place on Saturday, but the non-working royal will be invited to the military ceremony. It has not been.

The Sussexes signed a five-year, estimated $100 million deal with Netflix in September 2020, and hired former Disney+ executive Chanel Pisnik the following year.

She was an executive producer on the worldwide hit Netflix documentary series Harry and Meghan.

But so far, the only other show the couple has released is ‘Heart of Invictus’, filmed during the Invictus Games for wounded soldiers in The Hague last year.

Page Six is ​​reportedly set to premiere in August, a month before Prince Harry and Markle fly to Germany for this year’s Invictus Games.

It is unknown whether the documentary staff will accompany them this time.

A Netflix representative said they remain a “very valuable” partner for the company and that the decision is “business as usual.”

By comparison, the Obamas’ Netflix deal brought the streaming service an Oscar for the Obamas’ first content, “American Factory,” and delivered a series of documentaries, children’s shows and movies.

The Obamas’ upcoming releases this year include films starring Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali and Ethan Hawke.

Markle, who considers himself an entrepreneur despite the collapse of his deal with Spotify, is planning to launch his own business, similar to Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop.

Friends say she also wants to be the face of a luxury brand like Cartier.

“Meghan is very quiet at the moment,” said a person who knows her.

“And she always does it right before making a big announcement.”

On cash, the Sussexes still work with Hollywood moneymen Adam Rilling and Markle’s longtime business manager Andrew Meyer.

Their relationship dates back to when she was on the TV show “Suits”.

Harry also earns money from online therapy startup BetterUp and holds the title of Chief Impact Officer. Page Six says he is not paid as an employee, but he has a bigger contract.

But the Sussexes have turned down jobs, including being a guest speaker for a CEO group at a closed-door “summit” in California.

Sources say Markle’s new super agent, William Morris Endeavor CEO Ari Emmanuel, may be the one to turn things around after his Hollywood ambitions got off to a rocky start. suggesting.

“Prince Harry and Meghan have also had a lot of transfers on their teams over the last few years,” said an industry insider, adding, “Meghan has apparently hired Ali Emmanuel to the WME, so we’ll see what he does. Let’s try,” he said.

Royal historian and author Hugo Vickers says Netflix’s only upcoming show, Invictus Games, shows where the couple went wrong.

The prince founded the game long before he met his wife.

“Harry was doing very well at the Invictus Games. His very motto is ‘I am the master of my destiny, I am the captain of my soul.’ So don’t be a victim.” he told Page Six.

“And Harry did the opposite. He made himself a tragic victim by telling all the great and brave soldiers to save their lives.”

To see more of your favorite Page Six…

Regarding the Sussexes’ US plans, Mr. Vickers added:

“So maybe they need to be incredibly dramatic and reinvent themselves, like Madonna, or they’ll lose momentum and people will get bored with them.”

Looking ahead, PR guru Mark Bolkowkushi said: “All the hype is winding down, but this fast-moving celebrity agenda requires a new twist.”

“This is an opportunity for Meghan to reflect. Failure teaches more than success.”

“It’s important to note that failure is a natural part of life and failure does not define a person’s worth or potential. It’s time to hire important friends.”