MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry are on track to rake in a staggering £486,000 per MINUTE for their work with Spotify – after releasing less than an hour of content in six months.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a megabucks podcast deal worth a reported £18million with the streaming giant last year – but until now, have shared just 37 minutes of material.
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The multi-year partnership promised to produce podcasts that promote “diverse and inspiring voices” under Meghan and Harry's brand Archewell Audio.
And Spotify said the venture's "first complete series" was expected in 2021, following a three minute trailer and 34 minute Christmas special from the Sussexes in December.
But six months in, fans are yet to hear any more of them on the air waves, meaning Meghan and Harry could be paid £486,486.486 for every minute they've produced until now.
It is understood the proud parents, who welcomed their new daughter Lilibet two weeks ago, were not paid their full £18million fee from Spotify up front.
And the entire value will only be honoured if obligations are met — including regular content.
But despite now settling into a reported five months parental leave, industry sources insist the deal is still on track – with episodes expected later this year.
The Spotify deal is just one in a string of megabucks deals the couple has signed since quitting royal life, including partnerships with Apple, Netflix and Procter and Gamble.
And it's feared the busy parents may have bitten off more than they can chew.
Royal author Phil Dampier told The Sun Online: “We’re being told they’re having up to five months off and people who are paying them a lot of money will expect something in return.
“They seem to be using up a lot of ammunition very early and putting a lot of stuff out there in terms of deals and agreements with lots of firms.
“The question might be asked whether they have too much on their plate.”
PR guru Mark Borowski suggested Meghan and Harry may have pre-recorded podcast shows ready for broadcast between now and 2022.
And "even if the shows haven’t materialised yet, it’s a win-win for Spotify to have two of the most famous people in the world connected to them".
He added: "Harry and Meghan will be under scrutiny to deliver.
"What are these guys going to produce? What do they stand for?
“Having just had a baby and dealing with Covid too might explain the delay.
“It might be different if they weren’t so keen on having full control over output.”
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