Meghan and Harry sing together in Archewell Audio trailer

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Meghan and Harry have dropped two major bombshells this week; they confirmed their second child is on the way and that they will be releasing their first post-royal interview with Oprah Winfrey in a few weeks. This is the latest move from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex which marks their new-found independence from the monarchy, as the Royal Family rarely takes part in interviews. After securing a historically lucrative Netflix deal and an exclusive Spotify podcast, the Sussexes launched their new vehicle, Archewell.

Although they have not released any large projects yet they gave their fans a small taste of what they were going to focus on when they released the ‘Holiday Special’ of Archewell Audio in December.

The 34-minute special on Spotify included “a special collection of inspiration, reflection and perspective” from the couple’s famous friends and celebrated public figures.

But in a review of the programme, writer Hannah Verdier singled out the final exchange between the two for analysis.

Meghan says: “No matter what life throws at you guys, trust us when we say, love wins.”

Harry responds: “Love always wins.”

Ms Verdier explained: “‘So true,’ says Meghan, with the air of a woman who has no idea what life is like outside her bubble, but genuinely wants it all to be OK for everyone.”

However, when rating the podcast, Ms Verdier did give the episode three stars out of five in her review for The Guardian.

She also recognised Meghan’s acting past when she noted that the Duchess was “super-slick” and “NPR-confident” in the recording.

But she then remarked: “If you’re expecting insight, debate or any sense of who the couple really are, it’s not going to come from this flashy headline-grabber.”

While some fans praised the podcast for living up to the couple’s new mantra, ‘Compassion in Action’, others criticised the pair for encouraging their son Archie Harrison to speak at the end.

The one-year-old was encouraged by his parents to speak on the podcast and wish the listeners a “Happy New Year” — prompting accusations from furious fans that they were using him for “publicity”.

Some royal watchers were frustrated because the couple supposedly chose to leave the royal frontline so they could duck out of the spotlight.

They also said part of their decision was prompted by their desire to give Archie a “more peaceful life”.

Meghan and Harry’s decision to share his voice on the podcast therefore appeared at odds with this conclusion — and the tacit message they sent out with their Christmas card this year.

They chose to use an illustrated image of their young family which obscured Archie’s features, although his red hair, inherited from Harry, was still apparent.

One furious fan reacted to the podcast on Twitter, and wrote: “For two people who wanted privacy, I find it strange if they are now parading Archie, too.

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“Perhaps their idea of privacy is different from mine!”

However, others praised the Sussexes’ success, with one royal watcher tweeting: “Mommy and daddy already signed their deal and their podcast has been trending number one for over a week.

“King Archie is just there for the fun ride. Love won.”

Meghan and Harry have been accused of being out-of-touch by royal commentators in the past, although usually in relation to their comments on tackling climate change.

After using a series of private jets in 2019 and purchasing a sprawling £11million mansion with extensive living costs in California last year, the couple have been criticised for not practising what they preach on protecting the environment.

Commentator Celia Walden also claimed in The Telegraph last year that “the Sussexes live in a bubble at the best of times”.

She explained: “The Covid divide isn’t just geographical and sociological but mental — with the Sussexes epitomising the lack of sensitivity the pandemic has shown up in some with regard to the less fortunate.”

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