News broke last week that after she was essentially kicked out of the Spotify fold, Meghan Markle – also known as the Duchess of Sussex – signed a partnership deal with the lesser-known Lemonada Media for distribution of her prior podcast, Archetypes, and for the development of a new series, as Variety reports.

In the estimation of John Nolte of Breitbart, however, it is impossible to view this move as anything other than a massive downgrade for the woman he called “the Duchess of Narcissism.”

Markle's new deal

According to Variety, Markle's agreement with Lemonada calls for the distribution of the first season of Archetypes across all popular audio platforms.

The episodes, which previously could be heard only on Spotify, will reportedly be available for listeners beginning this spring.

Lemonada will also reportedly assist in the development of a new series to be hosted by Markle, though the title and subject area of the project has yet to be announced.

In announcing the deal, Markle said in a statement, “I'm proud to now be able to share that I am joining the brilliant team at Lemonada to continue my love of podcasting. 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."

Second bite at the apple

Meghan, alongside husband Prince Harry, had previously inked what was reported as a massive, $20 million deal with Spotify in late 2020, but the parties ended up going their separate ways last year.

Reports indicated that the pair failed to meet “productivity benchmarks” that were part of the original contract, causing them to fall short of the anticipated payout envisioned by the agreement.

Archetypes was essentially the only production spawned by the Spotify agreement, and the company was said to have expected far more content to have emerged during the term of the contract.

Podcasting executive Bill Simmons, founder of Spotify-acquired production The Ringer, took aim at the self-exiled former royals, referring to them as '''grifters” who lacked the work ethic necessary to succeed in his industry.

Nolte weighs in

Breitbart's Nolte appears to agree, recently lambasting the duo for their hubris and inability to deliver on the lofty objectives they routinely spout.

“Watching Markle's latest podcast fail will be something beyond pleasure. She deserves to fail,” Nolte declared.

Nolte went on, “Markle had it all with Spotify: a ton of money to balm her D-list ego, a ton of talent to make up for her lack of talent, and the worldwide spotlight...And she blew it. She blew it so bad that on their way out the door, one Spotify executive ridiculed the HarryMeg as “lazy, f***ing grifters.”

“Megan and Harry have nothing to hide behind now. The spotlight has faded. The goodwill has faded. They will have to succeed on talent and merit alone,” Nolte added, and whether they have the ability or determination to do so is something that only time will tell.