Prince Harry and Meghan say goodbye to Spotify

The production company founded by Prince Harry and his wife Meghan is parting ways with Spotify less than a year after the debut of their podcast Archetypes.

It’s unclear why the podcast, hosted by Meghan, is leaving the platform, but Spotify and Archewell Audio said in a joint statement that the decision was mutual.

Archewell entered into a multi-year partnership with Spotify in 2020 to create podcasts and shows that would tell stories from different voices and perspectives.

The podcast premiered last August with tennis great Serena Williams as a guest and it was an instant hit.

It topped the Spotify charts in seven countries, including the US and UK, and it won the Best Podcast award at the People’s Choice Awards last year.

“I loved putting my hands into the process, sitting in bed late at night, writing and working creatively. And I loved digging deep into meaningful conversations with my diverse and inspiring guests, to laugh and learn with them, and listen with each of you,” Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, said at the time.

The show also had as guests Mariah Carey, Trevor Noah, Mindy Kaling and Paris Hilton.

Technology companies have cut costs in a rough economic climate and Spotify has not remained immune. Six months after announcing it would cut 6% of its global workforce, or about 600 jobs, Spotify said last week it would cut another 200 jobs.

The company said at the time that it would combine podcast networks Parcast and Gimlet into its Spotify Studios operation.

Prince Harry has been before the High Court of London this month. He accuses the publisher of the Daily Mirror of using illegal “industrial-scale” techniques to score scoops on his life. The Duke of Sussex became the first senior member of the royal family to testify in more than a century.