Archie's first podcast: Meghan and Harry feature 19-month-old son in star-studded first Spotify episode and coax him into wishing listeners a Happy New Year in his American accent

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have featured their 19-month-old son Archie in their first Spotify podcast and got him to say his first four words in public - wishing people a 'Happy New Year' in his American accent and saying it was 'fun' to speak into a microphone.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex today released their first podcast, calling on famous friends including Sir Elton John, Brené Brown, Deepak Chopra, Stacey Abrams and James Corden to reflect on 2020 and their hopes for 2021 with the couple signing off with the words: 'Love always wins'.

The couple's first 33-minute show as part of the deal with the streaming giant worth an estimated £30million ($40million) is a 'holiday special' that concludes with the gospel song This Little Light of Mine, which was played at the end of their wedding at Windsor Castle in May 2018, before Archie is introduced.

Harry and Meghan, who have fiercely defended Archie's privacy since his birth in May 2019 and filed a lawsuit this year to fight to protect it, encourage their son to talk into the microphone, with Harry telling him: 'You can speak into it.' Meghan also asks: 'Archie, is it fun?'

Archie then replies: 'Fun.' Harry then says: 'After me, ready? Happy.' Archie says: 'Happy.' Meghan and Harry both then say 'New', and Archie says: 'New Year' – prompting laughter from both of his parents.

Meghan also quotes Martin Luther King as she tells listeners that: 'Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that'.

And in an apparent nod to the stormy 2020 the couple have had after quitting as frontline royals and moving to Los Angeles via Vancouver, Meghan says: 'From us I'll say no matter what life throws at you guys, trust us when we say, love wins.'

But some social media observers questioned the couple's decision to feature their son in their multi-million pound podcast, with one saying: 'I hope others will join me in respecting the wishes of these people and decide not to invade their privacy by listening to it.'

Reacting to the right-on tone of their podcast and its interviews, another added: 'Someone please pass the sick bucket.'

The Sussexes called on many of their most famous friends to appear on their first Archewell Audio podcast, which they promise will 'uplift and entertain audiences around the world'. Meghan said they asked people who 'inspire us' to appear on the podcast and give 'their thoughts on what they learned from 2020'.

Sir Elton was a friend of Harry's mother Diana, Princess of Wales and has regularly supported her son over the years, while Corden was a guest at Harry and Meghan's wedding and was asked by the duke to perform at the couple's evening celebration.

Other guests include Democrat activist Stacey Abrams, tennis star Naomi Osaka, American filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry, wellness icon Deepak Chopra and teenage activist Christina Adane from London, who campaigns on food issues.

Experts have called the couple's Spotify tie-up as another big step towards building what experts believe could become a $1billion business empire in the US after a super-deal with Netflix to make documentaries about their pet projects.

Harry and Meghan hold their son Archie while visiting Cape Town in September 2019, before they moved to North America

The couple's newly-formed Archewell Audio project promises to produce programming that 'uplifts and entertains audiences'

Last week, Meghan and Harry released their first Christmas card with Archie since relocating to Los Angeles earlier this year

The stars joining Meghan and Harry on their new podcast

Harry and Meghan began their show by paying tribute to healthcare and frontline workers for their 'sacrifices' and remembered those who have lived through 'uncertainty and unthinkable loss' during the coronavirus pandemic.

The couple have signed a lucrative deal with Spotify to host and produce podcasts, estimated to be worth up to £30million.

The working partnership comes a few months after the couple signed a Netflix deal, to produce a range of programmes and series, rumoured to be worth more than £100 million.

Harry told listeners: 'We're glad you're here. As we all know, it's been a year. And we really want to honour the compassion and kindness that has helped so many people get through it'.

While Meghan added: 'And at the same time, to honour those who have experienced uncertainty and unthinkable loss. Our thoughts have been with you, especially during this holiday season.'

The duke continued: 'And in too many instances people weren't able to be at a loved one's side or say goodbye as they would have wished', and his wife said: 'We also want to thank healthcare workers, frontline service workers, and so many others for their sacrifices.'

Harry said in the podcast: 'As we come to the end of this year and look to the future… let's hold onto the lessons we've learned about how important it is to take care of one another, and how meaningful our connections are… even when they're physically impossible.'

The Sussexes are following in the footsteps of the Obamas, with Michelle hosting her own Spotify podcast series

Actor and chat show host James Corden and Democrat politician Stacey Abrams both feature on the podcast

Campaigner Christina Adane and chef José Andrés also feature on the podcast which was released today

American professor and author Brene Brown and Sir Elton John are also involved in the new podcast

American writer and producer Tyler Perry and British spoken word artist George The Poet are also involved

'Hi, I'm Harry - and I'm Meghan': Sussexes launch Spotify 'holiday special' with laid-back language and tribute to 'uncertainty and unthinkable loss' in 2020

BEGINNING

Harry - 'Welcome to our 2020 holiday special from Archewell Audio. I'm Harry,.'

Meghan - 'And I'm Meghan. Thank you for joining us.'

H - 'We're glad you're here. As we all know, it's been a year. And we really want to honour the compassion and kindness that has helped so many people get through it.'

M - 'And at the same time to honour those who have experienced uncertainty and unthinkable loss. Our thoughts have been with you, especially during this holiday season.'

H - 'And in too many instances, people weren't able to be at a loved one's side or say goodbye as they would have wished.'

M - 'We also want to thank healthcare workers, frontline service workers and so many others for their sacrifices.'

H - 'Thank you, guys.'

M - 'Thank you.'

H - 'As we come to the end of this year and look to the future, let's hold onto the lessons we've learned about how important it is to take care of one another, and how meaningful our connections are, even when they're physically impossible.'

M - 'We thought what if we can bring together some people that inspire us, people we admire, and get their thoughts on what they learned from 2020. So we asked a few friends, and a lot of other folks... activists, poets...'

H - 'Athletes, writers...'

M - '... teachers, artists, people from all walks of life.'

Each guest introduces

H – 'We asked them to record audio diaries and send them back to us. We were curious to hear what they'd reflect on when they had a moment to themselves without navigating the sometimes awkward dance of a video chat. Meaning no one having to say 'You're on mute' over and over again, which is probably one of the defining phrases of 2020.'

M – ' It's so true. We wanted to know what they'll remember about this year, how they'd explain it to future generations, what they learned about themselves and what gives them hope. Their responses have given us a lot to think about. And it all came back to one thing – to the power of connection.'

H – 'We'll try not to interrupt too often, but we'll jump in here and there to make some intros. So sit back, grab a cosy beverage if you can. We hope this brings a little warmth, a smile and something to think about.'

GUESTS

Elton John - 'My name is Elton John. We were in the middle of a tour and then Covid started. It was very strange because we were going at full pelt and then all of a sudden we ground to a halt.

'We've been keeping in touch with the phone and with Zoom.'

Matt Haig - 'My name is Matt Haig and I am a writer.'

Meghan - 'I'm just gonna jump in here because Matt is being very modest.

'He's the author of several books including the bestselling Notes on a Nervous Planet, which we love, as well as Reasons to Stay Alive. That second one is about his own experience of severe depression.'

Matt Haig - 'I was already in a bit of an anxiety dip as I often am in winter when the news started to come through so it fuelled all that. I'm addicted to the news and I found myself scrolling and scrolling, falling down Covid rabbit holes.

'We lost a close family friend, my dad's best man, to cancer and we weren't able to go to his funeral since it was immediate family only.

'You never think you aren't going to be able to go to a close person's funeral.'

Tyler Perry - 'The lowest moment came right before Thanksgiving. We were feeding 5,000 people at the studio and I got in the car to see the line and I realised 5,000 was not enough.

'The need was so great there was thousands more cars and people than gifts and groceries we had.

'To see people hungry and starving and children in the cars and people sleeping all night just to get groceries was heartbreaking on so many levels.

'An optometrist says 2020 is about vision, eyesight and I think it really opened our eyes to what was going on.'

Harry - 'Someone who has helped a lot of people see things more clearly this year is Brene Brown who we think is awesome.'

Meghan

H - 'She's a researcher, writer and podcaster. Her work is rooted in the study of vulnerability, shame and courage.'

Brene Brown - 'I coped with the change this year one day at a time. Really back to basics. Sleep well, move well, eat well.

'One of my biggest struggles was keeping my children safe while also giving them enough freedom to not have serious social disconnection and mental health issues.

'My team at work started every meeting with a two word check in. Two words that describe how you feel at the moment. It takes just five minutes to check where people are.'

George the Poet - 'This year, to cope with all the change, I just took more pride in the little things. Had a deeper appreciation for going our for a walk, being able to see my loved ones and it helped me to open my eyes to what was in front of me.

'One of the hardest moments for me this year was when a pregnant loved one was hospitalised with Covid and forced into an early delivery. Fortunately, they made it but that was quite a scary moment.'

H - 'As people around the world grapple with massive change and uncertainty this year and honestly, some very scary things like George has touched on there, our collective mental health has been at the forefront of people's minds, and rightly so. '

M - 'A lot of our guests touched on this and Rachel Cargle was one of them. She's a writer and an anti-racism activist and she's also the founder of the Loveland foundation which is an amazing organisation dedicated to bringing healing and mental health services to communities of colour, especially black women and girls.'

Rachel Cargle - 'Something I've learned this year is how much of a spiritual practice simplicity and solitude can be. One of the lowest moments was in June at the height of the pandemic when my mother was given a terminal cancer diagnosis. She has continued to heal and has far surpassed the terminal diagnosis but that moment happened to so many, we all had to fight through it in these times.'

Stacey Abrams - 'I gave myself permission to watch all the TV I wanted, to read and to make mistakes. Most of all, I gave myself permission to be sad so I could find joy on the other side.

'I love Georgia but that love was tested this year by the silence that met the murder of Ahmud Arbery. But they were also met with the persistence of young voices in the street who demanded change at the ballot box.

'To see it in action was transformative.'

José Andrés - 'My name is José Andrés and I am a cook.'

H- 'Sorry, I have to jump in again because Jose is being incredibly humble. He is a cook and also owns amazing restaurants across the United States but on top of that he really empowers communities through food. He's the founder of the non-profit World Central Kitchen which provides meals to natural disasters all over the world.'

Jose - 'My lowest moment is when I was at my restaurant on March 14 and we were all closing. That was hard as any moment I've experienced in my life.

'I didn't know when we'd be able to reopen and I had to tell people who have been with me fore 27 years that tomorrow they would not have a place to work. We were able to help by keeping all of them on payroll for five, six weeks.'

H- 'Jose would feel differently the next day when World Central Kitchen kicked into action.'

Jose - 'One of my happiest moments was the day after. I announced I was closing my restaurant and we moved from restaurants to trying to feed as many people as we could.

'We began reacting to the trouble. When hospitals needed somebody to feed them, we showed up.'

M - 'For some of our guests, looking outward was the answer, while for others, they found the strength and the comfort they needed right at home.'

James Corden - 'I think what I've learned about myself is that I really don't have FOMO (fear of missing out). I'm very happy staying in. I think my relationship with my children has changed. Being with them has brought quite a lot of joy for me.'

M - 'Connection was crucial for all of us this year in whatever way we found it. Sometimes standing at distance, sometimes just through a screen and Loveland Foundation founder Rachel Cargle found community through an experiment with some of her favourite kids' books.'

Rachel - 'One of the ways I thought I could serve was to hop on Live on my social media platforms once a day and read children's books. Children's books were a huge part of my childhood and I realised it was a way to give connectedness and downtime to children.'

H - 'Christina Adane is a 17-year-old climate and food activist. She wants to make the world a healthier place for young people.'

Christina Adane - 'During the first month of lockdown my friends and I would have a FaceTime call every day at 8pm. I felt very much connected with them. I feel like we had conversations that would have been difficult to have real life. It felt like we were more connected.'

H - 'And this is something we heard from others too.'

Naomi Osaka - 'I coped with all the change this year just by talking to my family a lot and playing with my sister a lot and it felt like she was by my side the whole time.'

M - 'For Elton, video conferencing was more than just a way to connect.'

Elton John - 'I have an AA meeting from this house every Sunday and that's great. If it hadn't been for Zoom I don't know what we would have done. It's been a lifesaver.'

H - '2020 was a year none of us could have ever imagined. We wanted to hear from our guests on what they would tell the future about this moment in time.'

Guests take turns to share their

H - 'As we enter a New Year, both Brene and Rachel shared what's top of mind for them.'

Brene - 'I'm hoping empathy and accountability are in 2021 in equal measure.'

Rachel - 'I'm hoping the seemingly awakened minds and hearts of the world turn into footsteps of aciton.'

M - 'And some more things to hopeful for in 2021 from Naomi, Tyler and Jose.'

Naomi - 'I hope that all my friends and family stay safe and happy.'

Tyler - 'I want to see more smiles and I don't want to go back to a time where we can't hug people. '

Jose - 'What I hope is that we are only as good as the people around us.'

M - 'For youth activist Christina this feels like a moment to take a step back. For the world to imagine a new future. To envision what could happen.'

Christina - 'I want serious steps to be taken to address the climate emergency. I want to see progressive steps towards true racial justice. I want truth and transparency from people in power.'

H - 'And for democracy advocate Stacey Abrams, it's all about the work to come.'

Stacey - 'All we can do is work for what we think is right.'

Elton John - 'I hope we can heal in 2021.'

H - 'Cheers for that Elton.'

M - 'So true.

'So we also asked Hussain Manawer to share an audio recording with us and just as 2020 sparked reflection for most, it also sparked creativity.

'So when we received this, we knew we had to share it with you as a whole.'

H - 'Yes Meghan . So, we have to play the whole thing for you. Take it away Hussain.'

Hussain reads a poem about the year and how he hopes 2021 brings people happiness while remembering those who lost their lives in 2020.

M - 'What an amazing, powerful piece of poetry Hussain, thank you so much for doing that for us.'

H- 'We're all so excited to look ahead to 2021 and we asked everyone to make a toast. A toast to the year ahead, a toast to our hopes for the future, a toast to all of us.'

CONCLUSION

M - 'And from us, I will say, no matter what life throws at you guys, trust us when we say, love wins.'

H - 'Love always wins.'

M – 'So true. Thank you to all of our guests, and with that we have something we want to share with you too.'

H – 'Not a toast per say, but a song which is about a shining a light, and a song that means so much to us.'

M – 'This Little Light of Mine, played at the very end of our wedding... while we were walking down the steps of the church. '

H – hums the

M – 'It was the music that we wanted playing when we started our lives together, because as we all know, darkness cannot drive out darkness – only light can do that.'

H – 'The message of this song is one we hold so dearly. It's about using the power we each have within us to make this world a better place.'

This Little Light of Mine is

H – 'Happy New Year, everyone.'

M – 'Happy New Year.'

H – 'Stay safe out there.'

M – 'Thanks for listening.'

This Little Light of Mine

H - 'You can speak into it.'

M - 'Archie, is it fun?'

Archie - 'Fun.'

M - 'Fun.'

H - 'After me, ready? Happy.'

A - 'Happy.'

M - 'New.'

H - 'New.'

A – 'New Year.'

H -

M – 'Yay.'

A –

The podcast ends with the couple broadcasting the gospel song This Little Light of Mine which was played at the end of their wedding.

Meghan said: 'From us I'll say no matter what life throws at you guys, trust us when we say, love wins.'

She added: 'This Little Light of Mine played at the very end of our wedding… while we were walking down the steps of the church.'

Quoting Martin Luther King she went on to say: 'It was the music that we wanted playing when we started our lives together. Because as we all know, 'darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that…'

Harry added: 'The message of this song is one we hold so dearly. It's about using the power we each have within us to make this world a better place.'

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry signed a lucrative podcast deal with Spotify worth up to £30million two weeks ago as they took another big step towards building what experts believe could become a $1billion business empire in the US.

The couple will produce and host their own shows as part of the newly formed Archewell Audio - starting with the 'holiday special'.

Archie stole the show an, during the final moments of the broadcast, Harry says, in an apparent reference to the microphone in front of his son, 'you can speak into it' while Meghan asks 'Archie is it fun?' and her son replies 'fun'.

It is thought Archie has spent more than a year living in North America, joining his parents when they had an extended break towards the end of 2019 in Canada, before they made the permanent move to California in March.

With his mother and grandmother Doria Ragland, both Americans, it is likely he is picking up their accent which will be reinforced if he attends a local playgroup.

Harry and Meghan had asked their guests who included activists, campaigners and famous friends like James Corden to record audio diaries looking back on the year.

Sir Elton, when asked about his hopes for the future, said: 'I hope after this awful pandemic has passed, and we can go back to some sort of normality, that we have become better people - and I hope for healing.

'It's been an awful time for people. People have lost loved ones, people have lost their businesses, they've lost work. It's been an awful time for people, so I hope that we can heal in 2021.'

The duke and duchess began their show by paying tribute to healthcare and frontline workers for their 'sacrifices' and remembered those who have lived through 'uncertainty and unthinkable loss' during the coronavirus pandemic.

The couple have signed a lucrative deal with Spotify to host and produce podcasts, estimated to be worth around 25 million US dollars (£18 million) and the development comes a few months after their Netflix deal, rumoured to be worth more than £100 million.

In his audio diary for Meghan and Harry's podcast Sir Elton John said: 'Well, we were in the middle of a tour and then Covid started and we came back to England in May, and it was very strange because we were going full pelt, and then all of a sudden, we ground to a halt.

'I'm 73 years old, and I'm a semi-diabetic so I'm in a risky area there, I have an underlying condition as they say. I've seen my immediate family - Zachary, Elijah and David - all the time.

'But my relatives, who I love, haven't been able to see much of them at all, and I've only stayed connected with them by phone, of course, and by Zoom.'

The singer said as a recovering alcoholic being able to attend virtual AA meetings via video calls has been a 'lifesaver'.

Other podcast guests, during the 34-minute show, included activist and tennis star Naomi Osaka, American filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry, wellness icon Deepak Chopra and teenage activist Christina Adane, from London - who campaigns on food issues.

Corden, who was a guest at Harry and Meghan's wedding and was asked by the duke to perform at the couple's evening celebration, said he has been happy spending extra time during the pandemic with his family.

The actor, who hosts The Late Late Show on the American television network CBS, said: 'I think what I've learned about myself is I really don't have Fomo (fear of missing out). I'm very happy, staying in I mean. I could lose a day just staring at the corner of a rug. That's what I've realised, and I've been ok with that.

'I think being able to spend so much time with my children, I felt like my relationship with them has changed, being around them more, you know, the five of us in our house has really brought quite a lot of joy to me.'

Before the appearance of Archie, the couple broadcast the gospel song This Little Light Of Mine, which was played at the end of their wedding.

Quoting Martin Luther King, Meghan said 'It was the music that we wanted playing when we started our lives together. Because as we all know, 'darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that...''

On December 18, Meghan settled a privacy claim against a photo agency without winning a penny. The Duchess had told the High Court a photo of her and her one-year-old son Archie had breached his privacy.

Neither Archie's face nor any other part of his body could be seen because he was wrapped up and facing away from the lens. Los Angeles agency Splash claimed 'nothing unlawful happened' because it is legal to take photographs in public parks in Canada.

The case did not reach trial because the UK arm of Splash is in administration. However the administrators of Splash UK undertook that, should it come out of administration, Splash UK will not take any photographs of the duke and duchess or their son in the future.

Spotify has not revealed what the contract is worth, but the streaming service agreed a £75m ($100m) deal with US comedian Joe Rogan in May. The Mirror reported the Sussexes would be paid £30million - other sources put it closer to £20million.

The Sussexes' agreement comes just months after the royals agreed a £100million partnership with Netflix and days after Meghan invested in a $28-per-pack oat-milk 'superlatte' business later promoted for free by her LA neighbour Oprah Winfrey.

A 'well placed' royal source told the Mirror: 'The initial multi year deal is worth in excess of £30 million with a view to extending the deal within six months.

'Meghan was the driving force behind the deal. She was incredible in the meetings with executives and had a clear vision of what they as a couple have to offer. Spotify's whole business plan is to acquire the world's most talked about celebrities in one place and Harry and Meghan fit the bill entirely. It's a win win scenario.'

Earlier this year, Michelle Obama launched The Michelle Obama Podcast for an undisclosed fee with Spotify and had her husband Barack on as one of her first guests.

A trailer clip of Archewell Audio was released yesterday, accompanied by a short description which reads: 'Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, present Archewell Audio. Coming soon to Spotify.'

The slickly-produced and heavily-scripted Spotify trailer featuring the Sussexes opens with Harry saying to his wife: 'Ladies first' before his Meghan says: 'No you say it first because I think it sounds really nice with your accent'.

The Duke of Sussex then says: 'Archewell Audio' and they say together: 'Let's do it'.

Prince Harry then says: 'Hi guys, I'm Harry' before Meghan says: 'And I'm Meghan', with both choosing not to use their titles.

Meghan then says: 'One of the things my husband and I have always talked about is our passion for meeting people and hearing their stories. 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'.

Harry continues: 'And that is what this story is all about. To bring forward different perspectives and voices that perhaps you haven't heard before. And find our common ground. Because when that happens change really is possible'.

The Duchess of Sussex says that the podcasts will be about 'finding kindness and compassion, something we saw in some many places this year'.

She adds: 'It will underlie everything you here on Archewell Audio - so that's what we're up to'.

Their first show will be a 'holiday special' this month will 'feature stories of hope and compassion from inspirational guests in celebration of the new year.'

Harry and Meghan both mimic church bells before saying: 'We can't wait to share it with you and will be out later this month'.

Meghan says: 'We're talking to some amazing people who will share their memories that have helped shaped this year. As we know this has been a difficult one for everyone'.

Touching on the pandemic Harry says: '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. Through endless acts of compassion and kindness'.

Plugging the podcast Harry says: 'So here's what you need to do, tap follow right now. Go ahead, go on. Tap, follow and that way you won't miss out and you'll be able to hear new shows on Archewell Audio as soon as they drop'.

Finishing the trailer Meghan says: 'We're so excited. So follow and listen for free only on Spotify. We'll meet you back here soon'.

Harry signs off with an American-sounding 'happy holidays' while Meghan ends with a British 'cheers'.

The couple said in a statement today: 'What we love about podcasting is that it reminds all of us to take a moment and to really listen, to connect to one another without distraction.

'With the challenges of 2020, there has never been a more important time to do so, because when we hear each other, and hear each other's stories, we are reminded of how interconnected we all are.'

The Sussexes stopped royal duties in January this year, and have been criticised for using their newly independent status to sign multi-million pound deals while retaining their official titles.

The Sussexes' agreed a £100million partnership with Netflix.

This was followed by the revelation earlier this week that Meghan had invested in a new range of oat milk vegan 'superlattes', which sell for £21 ($28) per pack.

Harry, 36, and former Suits actress Meghan, 39, are also set to earn as much as £770,000 ($1m) for delivering online talks - on condition of an upfront fee and the ability to pick any moderators.

The Duke spoke at a J P Morgan event in Miami earlier this year where he received a reported six-figure sum.

Royal biography Angela Levin has branded Harry 'disloyal' for taking money from Netflix when it was 'ridiculing' his family in popular series The Crown.

The author Penny Junor warned that the couple would find it 'very difficult' to combine being a member of the royal family with pursuing commercial activity, because 'there are bear traps everywhere'.

'Inevitably, because of who they are, there will always be a market for them,' she said. 'It's not even because they're Harry and Megan, it's because they are HRHs.

'That adds a huge number of noughts to the end of any deal that they do. That's not their fault. It just highlights how difficult it is to square up being a member of the royal family but earning a living outside it.'

Harry and Meghan no longer use their HRH styles, but they are still members of the royal family despite stepping back from official duties and retain the titles.

Dawn Ostroff, Spotify's chief content and advertising business officer, said: '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.

'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.'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been embraced by the celebrity circuit after ditching royal duties in March and signed a multi-million-pound deal with Netflix to produce content that provides 'hope and inspiration'.

One of their latest ventures was a new brand of vegan coffees, which Oprah Winfrey promoted to her 19.2million Instagram followers in a huge favour to her friend.

Ms Markle's coffee investment is the first since she and Harry emigrated to pursue a private life and seek 'financial independence' from the royal family in California - but is still likely to 'raise eyebrows' at the palace, experts claim.

The record for an advertising Instagram post was $500,000, paid to Kim Kardashian in 2015, but Mr Borkowski said Oprah's social media video was 'a million buck post in free publicity' at least.

Oprah, America's biggest TV star worth $2.6bn, described the beverage on Instagram as her 'new drink of choice'. While its maker, Californian start-up Clevr Blends, claims it brings all kinds of health benefits, is ethical, environmentally friendly and a brand that is 'dedicated to giving a s**t'.

Its packaging claims it boosts immunity, brain health and digestion while reducing stress and improving focus.

Meghan made her first public appearance since revealing three weeks ago that she suffered a miscarriage in July.

In a video message for US news channel CNN from the gardens of her mansion, she saluted the 'quiet heroes' of the coronavirus pandemic, praising key workers and those who volunteer at food banks. Meghan, 39, and Harry, 36, have helped several charities to distribute food in Los Angeles.

Forbes said the duchess intends to invest in more women-led firms as she 'has made gender equality one of her core causes'.

Clevr Blends has a British CEO, Hannah Mendoza, who co-founded the firm with Roger Coppola, the only man on the team.

In a statement, Meghan, who did not reveal the size of her stake, said it was to support 'a passionate female entrepreneur who prioritises building community alongside her business'.

She added: 'I'm proud to invest in Hannah's commitment to sourcing ethical ingredients and creating a product that I personally love and has a holistic approach to wellness.'

The recent deals will help the Sussexes in their pledge to become 'financially independent' from the royal family - following their decision to step back from frontline royal duties in January this year.

'Someone pass the sick bucket!': Harry and Meghan divide opinion with their new Archewell podcast

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 's first Spotify podcast today generated a mixed reaction on social media - with fans hailing it as 'inspiring' while others wrote 'pass me the sick bucket'.

The podcast features famous friends including Sir Elton John, Brené Brown, Deepak Chopra, Stacey Abrams and James Corden and ends with their son Archie giggling as he wishes listeners a 'Happy New Year'.

Meghan quotes her idol Martin Luther King as she tells the audience that: 'Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that'. The couple end the podcast - the first of a series thought to be worth £30m ($40m) - by saying, 'love always wins'.

Some listeners called the show 'heartwarming' and praised Archie's appearance as 'adorable'. But others were less positive, with one saying it was 'dull and preachy' while another wrote 'I'd rather watch concrete '.

Others suggested it was ironic that the couple had decided to feature their one-year-old son in the podcast shortly after having moved to the US to protect their family's privacy.

Twitter user Simon Oakden wrote: 'I hope others will join me in respecting the wishes of these people and decide not to invade their privacy by listening to it.'

The couple have since bought a sprawling nine-bedroom and 16-bathroom mansion in upscale Santa Barbara, known as 'The Chateau' for $14.65million, making them neighbours with celebrities including Oprah Winfrey.

The pair are thought to have purchased the sprawling property, which sits on 5.4 acres of land, from a Russian businessman with a $9.5million mortgage after the price was knocked down by more than $10million.

At typical interest rates provided by Bank of America, the couple would have to pay $40,000 a month or $480,000 a year in order to repay the mortgage over 30 years.

Annual property tax is estimated at $68,000 and the costs of security and utilities for the huge mansion will also come with hefty bills.

According to cost-of-living database Numbeo, utility bills for a 900 sq ft home in Santa Barbara County are typically around $200 per month.

Harry and Meghan's mansion is more than 10 times larger, suggesting a possible bill of at least $2,000 per month or $24,000 per year.

Alongside agreeing to pay back £2.4million for tax-payer funded renovations to Frogmore Cottage, where the pair lived before moving to America, the couple earlier this year agreed to pay for the cost of their security personally.

The security bill could cost them £4million a year.

They also face staff costs.

Christopher Baker, who runs a firm that supplies domestic staff in California, told the Hollywood Reporter in 2015 that a staff for A-list celebrities can cost $200,000 to $300,000 per year, or even more.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 9

Meghan (pictured left) appearing on CNN to thank the 'quiet heroes' of the pandemic as it emerged that she had invested in an oat 'superlatte' company. Meghan's 'neighbour' Oprah (pictured right) promoted the brand on her Instagram page - a favour that experts believe is worth millions of dollars in free publicity

Catherine Zoraida swallow stud earrings

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While we usually find ourselves swooning over The Duchess of Sussex’s fashion choices, today it was her accessories that made a lasting impression.

It's easy to see why Meghan chose to rewear her stunning Catherine Zoraida swallow earrings. Designed for the RSPB, these dainty studs feature birds in flight, crafted from 18-carat gold-plated eco silver.

If you would like to pick up a pair for yourself, simply click . The Duchess of Cambridge is also a fan of this label, so you’ll be in great company.

To ensure you have plenty of options, we have rounded up further swallow earrings from the likes of Alex Monroe, Alexander McQueen and Daisy London in the carousel below.

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It pays to have good friends: Stars that feature in the podcast and how Meghan and Harry know them

Sir Elton John

Link: Sir Elton was friends with Harry's mother, Princess Diana, and he has remained a close friend of the prince since her death in 1997

Link

Net worth: £360m ($485m)

Lives: Windsor, London, Nice and Los Angeles

One of Britain's most famed rock stars, Sir Elton has been in royal circles for years, from performing at Prince Andrew's 21st birthday party to Princess Diana's funeral in 1997.

The 73-year-old kept in touch with Harry, and has worked with him on AIDS charity work, a cause close to Diana's heart.

In 2019 he performed at the lunch reception when Harry tied the knot with Meghan, and even gifted them the use of his private jet and home in Nice for which they were heavily criticised.

When Harry and Meghan forfeited their royal duties to move to America, they rented a mansion close to Sir Elton's in a gated LA community.

After they move to their current mansion in Montecito, it was reported they even consulted Sir Elton's extravagant designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard for help choosing the decor.

James Corden

Link: He was a guest at Harry and Meghan's wedding and was asked by the duke to perform at the couple's evening celebration.

Net worth: £22m ($30m)

Lives: Los Angeles and London

A breakthrough star of several British comedies including Gavin and Stacey, Corden left the UK in search of Hollywood stardom in 2015, and now presents the Late Late Show for CBS.

On news of Harry and Meghan's engagement, the TV funnyman, 42, used his show to subtly plead for an invitation to the wedding, and was later invited.

It was reported Corden even managed to set up a 'dance-off' between Harry, William and their father Charles at the star-studded reception afterwards.

Corden is now one of the most prominent Britons in US showbiz - making him the perfect figure to generate publicity for the podcast on both sides of the Atlantic.

Tyler Perry

Link: Through his mutual friend, Oprah Winfrey, Perry invited Harry, Meghan, and Archie to stay in his $18 million Californian mansion while they searched for a permanent home.

Net worth: £744m ($1bn)

Lives: Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York

Once-homeless Perry has earned a fortune through writing, developing and starring in dozens of films, TV series and stage plays, including as his most famous 'Madea' character.

In 2011, he was listed by Forbes magazine as the highest-paid man in entertainment.

The couple had been staying in Perry's £15m ($20m) 12-bedroom Los Angeles mansion before moving to their current home in Montecito.

The actor had previously posted images of the house on Instagram, which showed a sunken Grecian-style bath and a huge terrace with stunning views of LA.

Stacey Abrams

Link: Meghan has revealed she spoke to Stacey in August to discuss voter suppression in the US and how it affects people of color.

Net worth: Unknown, but Abrams said she was $200,000 in debt in 2018, owing $54,000 in federal back taxes and holding $174,000 in credit card and student loan debt

Lives: Atlanta, Georgia

Abrams is a key political figure in Georgia who was catapulted on to the national arena in the wake of the contentious 2020 US election.

She served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2007 to 2017 before becoming the country's first African American female nominee for a major party in a gubernatorial race.

She lost the 2018 vote to the Republican Governor Mike Kemp in an election which she accused her opponent of engaging in voter suppression.

Abrams then founded Fair Fight Action to tackle the issue and register more voters from minority backgrounds.

In the 2020 Presidential election, Georgia was a crucial swing state, and many have credited Abrams and Fair Fight Action for turning it blue, along with many other states where she campaigned.

Christina Adane

Link: Campaigning

Net worth: N/A

Lives: South London

At the age of 17, Christina has already served as co-chair of a campaign tackling food injustice and launched one of the most successful petitions in recent UK political history.

The teenager from London serves on the youth board of Bite Back 2030 which is fighting for young people to be given equal access to a good diet.

The young trailblazer has also written poems about the Black Lives Matter movement and delivered speeches at global climate summits.

Christina, who received free school meals when she was younger, was at the forefront of Marcus Rashford's campaign to help children be fed during the school holidays this year.

She started the petition which was later championed by the Manchester United footballer which forced the government into two U-turns.

The 17-year-old has made it her mission to ensure that no child in the UK goes hungry.

José Andrés

Link: The royal couple announced earlier this month they had partnered with the chef for their new charitable venture

Net worth: $50million

Lives: Maryland, US

The chef and restaurateur is credited with bringing small plates to US cuisine from his native Spain.

Arriving in the country in 1990 with $50 to his name, he has since gone on to earn three Michelin stars, owning dozens of restaurants.

But he famously pulled out of a restaurant deal at the Trump International Hotel in Washington DC in 2016 after the then Republican presidential candidate made disparaging comments about Mexicans.

The father-of-three has often featured on TV but later turned to more charitable work, starting the non-profit venture World Central Kitchen.

The organization provides free meals in the wake of natural disasters, starting in 2010 after the Haiti earthquake.

It has since helped deliver food to Americans during the Covid pandemic.

Brené Brown

Link: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they 'adore' self-help guru Brené Brown in August. Her other celebrity fans include Oprah Winfrey, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jennifer Aniston.

Net worth: £2.2million ($3million)

Lives: Texas, US

Brené Brown has had a varied career, working as a professor, author, podcast host and self-help guru.

She has spent two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy and imparts her wisdom to students, readers and listeners.

Previously struggling with addictions to smoking, alcohol and emotional eating, she has since transformed her life and now helps others.

She has penned five New York Times bestselling books and her TED Talk on The Power of Vulnerability further propelled her in the public eye, going viral with millions of views on YouTube.

Brown also hosts two hit pocasts, Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead, where she recently interviewed Barack Obama.

Rachel Cargle

Link: Meghan and Harry hosted a virtual discussion featuring Cargle in October for a special episode of the Time100 Talks

Net worth: £2.2million ($3million)

Lives: New York

Cargle came to prominence after a photo of her at the 2017 Women's March against Donald Trump's presidency went viral.

She held aloft a placard reading 'If You Don't Fight for All Women You Fight for No Women', in front of the Capitol.

The activist has since then used her platform to speak out on issues of race, gender and inequality on her ever growing social media accounts.

She is calling for intersectional feminism, which means different inequalities such as class, gender or race are treated as intersecting issues instead of separte ones.

Cargle tours a lecture, Unpacking White Feminism, and regularly appears in the media speaking out on issues of inequality.

The author has also founded the Loveland Foundation which helps provide therapy to black women and girls.

Deepak Chopra

Link: Meghan's lifestyle blog The Tig, which she wrote before meeting Prince Harry, cited the works of Chopra

Net worth: £110million ($150million)

Lives: New York

The Indian-American author is one of the best-known figures in alternative medicine and the New Age movement.

Chopra believes the human body can attain perfect health, avoiding ageing, disease and pain.

His claims have been heavily disputed by scientists who have dismissed his beliefs as 'pseudoscience'.

The doctor and prolific author shot to fame with his appearances on Oprah Winfrey's show where he discussed his views that someone's mental health can affect their physical reality.

Chopra and his wife currently live in a 'health-centric' condominium in Manhattan.

Matt Haig

Link: Meghan is one of the author's high profile fans and included his poem in her guest edit of British Vogue last year

Net worth: £3million ($4million)

Lives: Brighton, UK

Matt Haig has been very open about his battles with mental health and has fed the subject into his successful books.

The author, 45, has written a number of bestsellers including Reasons To Stay Alive, How To Stop Time and Notes on a Nervous Planet.

Haig, who is married with two children, struggled with depression and anxiety in his 20s and nearly took his own life.

In the September issue of British Vogue, Meghan hailed his poem, which is an ode from a beach telling swimmers not to be body-conscious.

Matt added that Meghan's choice to include his piece is a 'surreal honour' and that he is glad she 'digs my stupid humour.'

Hussain Manawer

Link: Before Meghan met Harry, Manawer revealed the Suits actress approached him backstage at an event where they discussed mental health work

Net worth: N/A

Lives: Essex, UK

Hussain Manawer is a poet and campaigner who teaches about the importance of mental health.

His success has seen him share stages with global popstars, reciting poems alongside Ed Sheeran, Cher and Ellie Goulding.

He has even performed with Justin Trudeau and Kofi Anan.

The poet holds the record for the world's largest mental health lesson and is also an ambassador for mental health charity Samaritans.

His poem The Sound of Support opened the FA Cup final in England this year, cheered on by Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Naomi Osaka

Link: Not known, but Meghan is close friends with fellow tennis star Serena Williams

Net worth: £19m ($25m)

Lives: Beverly Hills

At 23, Naomi Osaka, has already made a huge name for herself on the tennis court.

The Haitian-Japanese former World Number One became the first Asian player to hold the top ranking in singles tennis.

Osaka has already won three Grand Slam titles and is the reigning US Open champion.

She famously defeated Serena Williams in 2018 to win the US Open, her first Grand Slam.

The match is also remembered for Williams's on field dispute with the umpire, causing her to receive a game penaltyOsaka has become increasingly outspoken and this year attended Black Lives Matter protests and wore face masks bearing the names of black people killed by police to her tennis matches.

Spotify: The Swedish streaming service that took the music world by storm in just 14 years

Founded as a small start-up firm just 14 years ago, Spotify has quickly risen to take the music world by storm. From its humble beginnings, the music streaming service, which boasts a library of 60million songs, now has a staggering 320million monthly active users and is worth an estimated $23billion.

The meteoric rise began in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2006. The company was co-founded by Daniel Ek, the former boss of popular fashion-based browser game Stardoll, and Martin Lorentzon, co-founder of digital marketing firm Tradedoubler.

The small start-up was set up as a response to the growing piracy problem the music industry was facing. It launched two years later with a free registration service for users to stream music via the internet.

This model allowed users a freemium service - allowing users to listen for free with adverts - or a paid subscription service.

It set Spotify aside from the rival Apple's iTunes store, from which users bought digital copies of songs or albums to build their own library which they could listen to whenever they liked.

By 2009, the company had reached the UK. Its popularity surged after the release of its mobile service.

The meteoric rise began in Stockholm, Sweden in 2006, when the company was co-founded by Daniel Ek, the former boss of popular fashion-based browser game Stardoll, and Martin Lorentzon, co-founder of digital marketing firm Tradedoubler

By March 2011, five years after it was founded and three years after its launch, Spotify had one million paying subscribers across Europe. Within six months, that number had doubled.

In the same year, Spotify launched in the US, again to great success. By 2012, the streaming service had 15million active users, four million being paying Spotify subscribers.

And subscription figures continued to grow and grow and grow, more than doubling by 2014. By 2016 it had 40million paying subscribers and 100million total users and as of October 2020, the platform has 320million monthly users, including 144 million paying subscribers.

But despite its meteoric growth, the company, which has an annual revenue of £6billion, has historically struggled to produce profits.

It has also faced criticism from those in the music industry, including Taylor Swift, who have argued that the service does not compensate musicians fairly. The company distributes approximately 70 per cent of its total revenue to rights holders, mostly record labels, who then pay artists based on individual agreements.

In a bid to drive its profits into the green, the owners of Spotify, Spotify AB, was floated on the New York Stock Exchange as a publicly traded company in 2018.

The move came after the company made losses of nearly £870m over the previous three years.

Despite being floated publicly, Spotify did not issue new stock when being floated in 2018, instead selling shares that were held by its private investors. The aim of the scheme was to raise investment for its expansion plans.

Last year the $23billion company posted an operating profit of $60million - only the third time in its history it had posted a profit.

Despite past losses, the company has continued to make big money deals, and has lately pushed into increasingly in the area of podcasts.

It is not known how much the Spotify contract is worth, but the streaming service agreed a £75m ($100m) deal with US comedian Joe Rogan in May.

Earlier this year, Michelle Obama launched The Michelle Obama Podcast for an undisclosed fee and had her husband on as one of her first guests.

How Harry and Meghan have emulated Barack and Michelle Obama's post-White House money-making deals

SPOTIFY

Harry and Meghan's deal with Spotify is the latest they've undertaken that's similar to Barack and Michelle Obama.

Earlier this year, Michelle launched The Michelle Obama Podcast and had her husband on as one of her first guests.

Neither Michelle nor Spotify released details of the deal but it's likely to rival that of Joe Rogan, Spotify's most lucrative podcaster, who makes £74million ($100m) out of his multi-year deal.

In announcing her podcast deal in July, Michelle said: 'My hope is that this series can be a place to explore meaningful topics together and sort through so many of the questions we're all trying to answer in our own lives.

'Perhaps most of all, I hope this podcast will help listeners open up new conversations—and hard conversations—with the people who matter most to them. That's how we can build more understanding and empathy for one another.'

In announcing their podcast deal on Tuesday, Meghan and Harry said: 'What we love about podcasting is that it reminds all of us to take a moment and to really listen, to connect to one another without distraction.

'With the challenges of 2020, there has never been a more important time to do so, because when we hear each other, and hear each other's stories, we are reminded of how interconnected we all are.'

Earlier this year, Michelle Obama launched The Michelle Obama Podcast and had her husband on as one of her first guests

NETFLIX

Harry and Meghan, much to the criticism of many, signed a deal to serve as producers. They'll make documentaries and children's series in their roles and may even appear on camera themselves. Again, no details of how much they are set to make from it have been made public.

They were widely criticized for the Netflix deal in particular, given Netflix's portrayal of the royal family in The Crown. Among the reasons the pair claimed they quit royal life was to live more privately and without what they perceived to be press intrusion. Critics blasted them for taking money from Netflix for their producer deal when The Crown takes such a deep dive into Harry's family's life.

It's similar to the Obamas' Netflix deal that was announced in 2018.

At the time, Michelle said in a statement: 'Barack and I have always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire us, to make us think differently about the world around us, and to help us open our minds and hearts to others.

'Netflix's unparalleled service is a natural fit for the kinds of stories we want to share, and we look forward to starting this exciting new partnership.'

Harry and Meghan, much to the criticism of many, signed a deal to serve as Netflix producers

In announcing their Netflix deal, Harry and Meghan said: 'Our lives, both independent of each other and as a couple, have allowed us to understand the power of the human spirit, of courage, resilience and the need for connection.

'Through our work with diverse communities and their environments, to shining a light on people and causes around the world, our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope. As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us, as is powerful storytelling through a truthful and relatable lens.'

One of Barack and Michelle's documentaries - Factory - won an Oscar.

PRIVATE SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

After Barack Obama left office, one of the ways he made money immediately was through private speaking engagements.

In 2017, one speech to a private equity group paid him £300,000 ($400,000).

Harry and Meghan have also made money through speeches. Among their first was one at a JP Morgan conference in Miami in February.

Again, no details of the deal have been made public.

That is one revenue stream they don't talk about.

At the Miami event, Harry and Meghan were introduced by Meghan's friend Gayle King, who is also friends with Oprah (who plugged Meghan's new oat-milk latte brand).

Page Six quoted an anonymous source at the time who said: 'Harry spoke about mental health and how he has been in therapy for the past few years to try to overcome the trauma of losing his mother because he wants to protect his family.

'He does not want Meghan and their son Archie to go through what he did as a child.'

In February, Harry and Meghan were the keynote speakers at a JP Morgan summit at the 1 Hotel South Beach in Miami

AND WHAT THEY'VE NOT DONE...

BIOGRAPHIES

Michelle has made millions from her autobiography, Becoming, where she talks at length about her life before Barack became president and what happened afterwards.

Neither Harry nor Meghan has written a book about their public life.

One has been written about them - Finding Freedom - but the pair have insisted that they did not contribute to it.

Michelle has made millions from her autobiography, Becoming, where she talks at length about her life before Barack became president and what happened afterwards. Neither Harry nor Meghan has written a book about their public life. One has been written about them - Finding Freedom - but the pair have said on record that they did not contribute to it.

ON-CAMERA DOCUMENTARIES

Michelle was interviewed for Becoming, a documentary to accompany her book and her speaking tour, that became a Netflix documentary.

Harry and Meghan have not appeared in any on-camera work. They were interviewed by ITV before they left royal life but that was in 2019.

Oprah Winfrey's Instagram post promoting Duchess of Sussex's coffee was 'a million dollar post in free publicity'

Oprah Winfrey's decision to promote Meghan Markle's new range of vegan coffee to her 19.2million Instagram followers was worth at least $1million and is probably the most valuable piece of free publicity in history, experts told MailOnline.

PR guru Mark Borkowski told MailOnline the $28-per-pack oat-milk 'superlattes' are the first 'baby steps' towards Meghan and Harry building a billion dollar brand for themselves in the US.

The record for an advertising Instagram post was $500,000, paid to Kim Kardashian in 2015, but Mr Borkowski said Oprah's social media video was 'a million buck post in free publicity' at least.

He said: 'Having Oprah Winfrey endorse your product is the golden ticket in global advertising for any company. Oprah is also very choosy about what she promotes and for a new company to launch a new product, reaching that many people, would cost millions of dollars – and the best thing for Meghan is that in this case many people who saw it won't feel like they are being sold something at all. Having a friend like Oprah is something money can't buy and it will lead to the product flying off the shelves'.

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