The termination of their partnership was confirmed through a joint statement issued by Archewell Audio, the couple's content creation label, and the streaming giant Spotify.
However, strangely, this statement is nowhere to be found on the Archewell website, which still boasts about their now-defunct podcast.
The website continues to state an exclusive partnership with Spotify to reach their 180 million premium subscribers and 406 million monthly active users worldwide, even though it hasn't been updated since May 15th.
Observant royal fans were quick to notice the website's lack of updates and took to social media to voice their opinions. Some wondered why Archewell hadn't updated anything in months, and others mentioned that many of the website's pages wouldn't load.
One user commented on the discrepancy, stating that the website still claims they work with Spotify despite the recent termination. Another suggested that the lack of updates and the couple's admission of only dedicating one hour per week to Archewell may indicate a lack of interest from potential donors.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams also questioned the absence of updates on the website, expressing curiosity about the couple's current activities and suggesting that they might be preparing for an upcoming announcement. With the loss of their Spotify deal and rumors circulating about potential setbacks with Netflix, it appears that the Sussexes' empire might be on the verge of crumbling.
However, some fans speculate that the rejection of their trademark application for the podcast name could be the reason behind the website's inactivity. The US patent office recently refused their exclusive rights to "Archewell" to avoid confusion with an existing brand.
Critics have voiced their suspicions regarding Archewell, accusing it of serving as a means to channel funds to the couple without disclosing the donors. Last month, a documentary aired on France 2, investigating the questionable practices of Archewell.
The program revealed that the foundation spent a significant amount on operational fees, nearly equal to their charitable contributions. During a visit to the Archewell offices, investigators found the premises completely vacant, with no sign of any staff members employed by the couple. It was disclosed that the office visited was not their actual workspace but rather their lawyer's office.
Reportedly, both Harry and Meghan each dedicated only one hour per week to their Archewell foundation in 2021, after stepping down from their royal duties the previous year.
This information was obtained from the non-profit's 2021 tax filing, which indicated that the Sussexes averaged a mere one hour of work per week, totaling just 52 hours for the entire year.
