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Privacy-loving pair Harry and Meghan let Archie talk on their £30million podcast
PRINCE Harry and wife Meghan gave son Archie a voice on their £30million podcast debut yesterday — coaxing him to say “Happy New Year” in an American accent.
The privacy-loving pair showed off the 19-month-old on the first episode of their lucrative Spotify series.
⚠️ Read our Meghan and Harry blog for the latest news on the Royal couple
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They also called on famous friends Sir Elton John and James Corden to talk about how they dealt with the pandemic and their hopes for the future.
Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, who stepped down as senior royals earlier this year, have fiercely defended Archie’s privacy since birth and filed a US lawsuit to protect it.
But on the 33-minute Archewell Audio podcast they are heard encouraging him to say “Happy New Year” and both laughing when he does so.
Some of the most cringeworthy comments included Meghan saying: “From us I’ll say no matter what life throws at you guys, trust us when we say, love wins.”
Harry responds: “Love always wins.”
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, told The Sun: “The whole thing to my mind is a bit sad because this couple haven’t seen their own families, yet they go on about families, connections, and how important it is for us all to be connected.
“There’s something that doesn’t ring true. They are not practising what they are attempting to preach. And as for poor little Archie, I think he’s wheeled out when he suits Harry and Meghan. The show itself is a lot of celebrities spouting off about themselves. It’s very self-congratulatory.
“I mean, it’s just nauseating. It’s nauseating to us Brits but probably very LA and well-received over there. What’s the point of it? I don’t see it doing a lot to help anyone.”
Experts reckon the couple’s Spotify deal is another leap towards what could be a £1billion business empire in the US.
It follows a rumoured £100million deal with Netflix to make documentaries. TV watchdog Ofcom received 214 complaints about Channel 4’s Alternative Queen’s Speech, with a deepfake Queen dancing and joking about Megxit.
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Meghan, 39, and Harry, 36, signed the lucrative deal to host and produce podcasts for .
And the couple enlisted the help of A-lister friends including Elton John and James Corden for their first episode as they discussed what had kept them motivated during 2020.
But it was at the very end of the podcast that the couple upped the aw factor - introducing their toddler son Archie to their fans.
The couple could be heard moving around before Meghan was heard asking Archie: "Is it fun?"
Little Archie then pipes up, adorably replying: "Fun!"
Harry then encourages his son to repeat "after me".
Archie then repeats "Happy New Year" with the help of his parents - with the trio descending into peals of laughter.
The little boy's podcast debut comes after he appeared on the family Christmas card along with their two dogs.
The sweet end to the podcast came after the couple discussed the lessons they had learnt during the difficult year for their holiday special episode.
But Archie's appearance on the podcast sparked debate online - with fans quick to discuss what accent the little boy has.
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Archie spent his first few months living in the UK before living in Canada for a few months. He has been living in the US with Meghan and Harry since mid-this year after the couple quit the Royal Family.
One Twitter user said: "My family is at war! Mom says Archie sounds British. That's a lie! Archie clearly has an American accent!"
Another added: "That Archewell Audio holiday special was quite emotional.. and Archie has a British accent??"
A third said they "cried" after hearing the little boy speak.
The couple today released their holiday special episode, paying tribute to frontline workers for their "sacrifices" and remembered those who have lived through "uncertainty and unthinkable loss" during the coronavirus pandemic.
And after sharing inspiring stories, Meghan told listeners: "From us I'll say no matter what life throws at you guys, trust us when we say, love wins."
The couple enlisted the help of big names including Sir Elton John, James Corden and Tyler Perry to speak about how they had kept motivated and positive during 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 included activist and tennis star Naomi Osaka, American filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry - who had allowed the couple to stay at his mansion when they first moved to the US - wellness icon Deepak Chopra and teenage activist Christina Adane from London, who campaigns on food issues.
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."
'LOVE WINS'
Meghan added they had asked people who "inspire us" to appear on the podcast and give "their thoughts on what they learned from 2020".
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 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."
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It comes after the Sun revealed the couple lodged documents to prevent others cashing in on the name.
US copyright attorneys are already looking over papers from the couple asking for exclusive rights to their charity Archewell and Archewell Foundation.
And official papers filed regarding Archewell Audio revealed it will provide: “Downloadable podcasts, audio programs, and audio books, all in the field of current and topical events, education, science, literature, racial justice, gender equity, environmental stewardship, youth empowerment, health, mental health, and commentary on topics of current and general interest.”
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Other guests included activist and tennis star Naomi Osaka, American filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry - who had allowed the couple to stay at his mansion when they first moved to the US - wellness icon Deepak Chopra and teenage activist Christina Adane from London, who campaigns on food issues.
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."
Meghan added they had asked people who "inspire us" to appear on the podcast and give "their thoughts on what they learned from 2020".
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."
Most read in UK News
It comes after the Sun revealed the couple lodged documents to prevent others cashing in on the name.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
US copyright attorneys are already looking over papers from the couple asking for exclusive rights to their charity Archewell and Archewell Foundation.
And official papers filed regarding Archewell Audio revealed it will provide: “Downloadable podcasts, audio programs, and audio books, all in the field of current and topical events, education, science, literature, racial justice, gender equity, environmental stewardship, youth empowerment, health, mental health, and commentary on topics of current and general interest.”
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