Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's project announcements are a 'diversion tactic' to distract from the fact that 'nothing much is going on', royal expert tells PALACE CONFIDENTIAL

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's recent flurry of 'project' announcements - including a new podcast deal as well as the Duchess of Sussex's 'jamfluencer' roll out - are a 'diversion tactic' from the fact that 'probably not much is going on', a royal expert has said.

Speaking on this week's Palace Confidential, the Daily Mail's Richard Kay said that the pair always appear 'in a hurry to make announcements' and look 'busy'.

'All these plans are in the pipeline and then nothing happens,' he continued during the episode, referencing earlier claims that there will be no new podcast work from the couple until next year.

In February it was announced that that Meghan had signed a deal with Lemonada Media, a female-founded company that wants to 'make life suck less'.

The Duchess, who produced only one series of her podcast Archetypes for Spotify before parting ways with the company, had signed with Lemonada to develop and host a new series.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry 's (pictured earlier this month) recent flurry of 'project' announcements - including a new podcast deal as well as the Duchess of Sussex 's 'jamfluencer' roll out - are a 'diversion tactic' from the fact that 'probably not much is going on', a royal expert has said

However, a source told Richard Eden this week that there is not expected to be any work broadcast this year.

'The relaunch of Meghan's Archetypes podcast got pushed back to 2025,' the California-based insider alleged.

It is understood that Lemonada did not want the podcast's launch to be overshadowed by the former actress's television series, which she began filming at a rented house in Montecito last week. Netflix said the show would 'celebrate the joys of cooking and gardening, entertaining and friendship'. 

Lemonada is said to be concerned that there would also be 'scheduling conflicts' between the launch of its podcasts and that of Meghan's lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.

A spokesman for Meghan declined to comment at the time, but sources claim she had a list of 'very high-profile guests' scheduled to participate in her new podcasts.

Richard Kay also told Palace Confidential that he believed Meghan's focus is 'clearly is on the lifestyle Riviera stuff that she's very proud of and curating' - and thought the announcement of 'project' plans is 'sort of a way of taking breath and pausing trying to decide what to do next'.

However, Richard Eden said it's a 'very strange way of operating'. 

'I mean, take Netflix, they will announce a new film for something when it's gone into production or it's about to be broadcast,' he explained.

Speaking on this week's Palace Confidential, the Daily Mail's Richard Kay (pictured) said that the pair always appear 'in a hurry to make announcements' and look 'busy'

However, Richard Eden said it's a 'very strange way of operating' when speaking on Palace Confidential this week

'It's very strange to announce deals and then have nothing. Announcing a deal like this and then not having any content, any podcasts for a year.

'You do wonder, is she just doing it for the publicity?'

Guests on her series of 12 podcasts for Spotify included Wimbledon champion Serena Williams, pop star Mariah Carey, and Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell.

Bill Simmons, Spotify's head of podcast innovation and monetisation, blasted the Duke and Duchess as 'f****** grifters' just hours after their reported £15million deal was axed last summer.

He ranted: 'I've got to get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea. It's one of my best stories.'

The couple produced less than 13 hours of content during the three-year partnership: 12 episodes of Meghan's Archetypes show, and a 30-minute Christmas special featuring both the Duke and Duchess.

Meghan said in February that she was 'overjoyed' to be joining Lemonada, which describes itself as an 'award-winning, independent...podcast network, with a mission to make life suck less'. She added: 'Our plan to re-release Archetypes so that more people can now have access to it, as well as launching a dynamic new podcast, are well in the works. I'm so eager to be able to share it soon.'

Richard Kay also told Palace Confidential that he believed Meghan's focus is 'clearly is on the lifestyle Riviera stuff'. Pictured with Prince Harry earlier this month 

But now the focus seems to be on Meghan's strawberry jams launched earlier this month. Pictured, a basket sent to Kelly McKee Zajfen

Archetypes, Meghan's original Spotify show, had around one million listens per episode and debuted as Spotify’s No. 1 podcast in 47 countries around the world when it launched in August 2022.

The series explored the labels that try to hold women back and included guests such as Mariah Carey, Jameela Jamil and Pamela Adlon.

It won a People’s Choice Award for The Pop Podcast of 2022 and the Duchess won best entertainment podcast host at the Gracie Awards.

In a statement about her new podcast, Meghan said previously: 'Being able to support a female-founded company with a roster of thought provoking and highly entertaining podcasts is a fantastic way to kick off 2024.

'Our plan to re-release "Archetypes" so that more people can now have access to it, as well as launching a dynamic new podcast are well in the works. I'm so eager to be able to share it soon, and am overjoyed to be joining the Lemonada family.'

Abigail, 42, was gifted the sixth jar in the batch, she revealed yesterday in a photoshoot that showcased her reclining in the grass with the precious preserve

Cordova Kramer, from Lemonada, said at the time: 'We are beyond honored that Meghan has trusted us to help democratize access to Archetypes, and that so many more people around the world will have access to the series soon.

'Meghan’s talent as host, creator and conversationalist is unparalleled and we are thrilled to co-create a new series with her that fosters her approach to creating art that matters.' 

But now the focus seems to be on Meghan's strawberry jams launched earlier this month.

She sent the jam in baskets to 50 friends and influencers, each accompanied by a basket of lemons.

The chosen few so far have included Delfina Blaquier, Suits co-star Abigail Spencer and fashion designer Tracy Robbins, who shared shots on Instagram.

Abigail, 42, was gifted the sixth jar in the batch, she revealed yesterday in a photoshoot that showcased her reclining in the grass with the precious preserve.