Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are revamping their career direction after being surprised at Spotify 'turning down so many of their ideas', sources claim

Omid Scobie's insights in his book "Endgame" shed light on the unexpected challenges faced by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in their dealings with Spotify. According to Scobie, the couple encountered difficulties with the streaming platform as executives reportedly rejected many of their ideas. This rejection seems to have been contrary to the couple's expectations, leading to the termination of their multi-million-pound deal with Spotify in June.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (pictured) did not expect Spotify to 'turn down so many of their ideas', Omid Scobie has claimed in his new book

Scobie's portrayal suggests that Meghan and Harry underwent a learning curve about the complexities of the business side of their ventures, especially after their departure from royal duties. Their rush to secure commercial deals post-royal life might have contributed to the pressure they faced and influenced their decision-making process.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 'cheerleader-in-chief' said the couple (pictured in September 2023) have learnt a 'mountain of lessons' about 'the business side of things' after 'rushing' to sign commercial deals once they had left their roles in the Royal Family

The book indicates that the Sussexes anticipated a more receptive approach from Spotify regarding their content ideas. However, according to Scobie's sources, the streaming platform was more inclined to invest in content that promised attention-grabbing headlines and increased subscriptions. This discrepancy in expectations might have led to the partial payout of the initial $20 million deal, with Scobie's sources suggesting that there were valuable lessons learned about the business aspects of such arrangements.

Writing in his book Endgame, which was published in the UK on Tuesday, Mr Scobie said the Sussexes 'might have thought twice' about signing some lucrative deals 'had they not been under so much financial pressure'

The portrayal offers an inside perspective into the challenges faced by Meghan and Harry as they navigate the transition from their royal roles to establishing their independent ventures and highlights the complexities and sometimes unexpected outcomes in the world of commercial agreements and media partnerships.

Omid Scobie's insights that Meghan Markle's upcoming endeavors aim to distance themselves from royal associations and focus on creating content that is more accessible and timeless. Scobie's sources indicate that Meghan is concentrating on projects rooted in her passions for details, curation, hosting, and family-centric themes. The emphasis seems to be on developing something that doesn't rely on their royal connections, aiming for a new direction in their ventures.

Moreover, according to PEOPLE magazine's source, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are looking toward the future, planning what's described as "Heghan 2.0. Part Deux." They seem aware of past perceptions and potential missteps but are opting for a more technology-oriented approach, pivoting their projects and personnel, essentially undergoing a comprehensive system reboot.

Regarding their podcast deal with Spotify, Daniel Ek, the platform's chief executive, mentioned that the decision not to renew their contract was partly due to a lack of produced content. Despite the initial promise, the couple reportedly fell short in delivering sufficient episodes, which impacted the platform's assessment of the deal's worth and its alignment with audience satisfaction.

Ek's statements hint at Spotify's pursuit of innovation and the need to ensure both consumer satisfaction and opportunities for new creators. While some aspects of their collaboration succeeded, others did not meet expectations, leading to a learning process for Spotify as they move forward with other partnerships.

'We thought we can come in and offer a great experience that both makes consumers very happy and allows new creators new avenues.' He added: 'And the truth of the matter is some of it has worked, some of it hasn't. We're learning from those and we are moving on and we wish all of the ones we didn't renew with the best of success they can have going forward.' Ek was speaking to the BBC's Zoe Kleinman who had questioned him on whether 12 podcasts across two-and-a-half years from the Sussexes was worth £18million. She said his response had been 'very diplomatic'.

The situation around Harry and Meghan's podcast deal with Spotify became quite contentious, especially after the announcement that their podcast wouldn't be renewed. There are reports of dissatisfaction within Spotify, with comments from an executive, Bill Simmons, using strong language to criticize the couple.

The comment about calling them "grifters" indicates a significant level of disappointment or frustration within Spotify's ranks regarding the perceived outcome of the deal. This sentiment could be tied to the perceived lack of success or expectations not being met in terms of content creation or engagement for the podcast.

Omid Scobie's book, "Endgame," despite his claims of not being briefed by Harry and Meghan directly, delves into the dynamics and conflicts within the Royal Family. Scobie seems to have received information from individuals close to the couple or within their circle, as he details the inner workings of their experiences, particularly their tensions with the Royal Family.

Scobie's interviews and promotion of his book in the US, along with his denial of being intimately connected to the Sussexes, reflect a continuing interest in shedding light on their experiences, perspectives, and interactions, especially in contrast to traditional royal reporting.

The information shared regarding Omid Scobie's book, "Endgame," portrays a highly critical perspective on the Royal Family dynamics, particularly in relation to Meghan Markle's integration into the family and her subsequent experiences. Scobie's stance appears to be sympathetic towards Meghan and Prince Harry, with strong criticisms aimed at certain members of the Royal Family, notably Prince William and his wife Catherine.

Scobie's book portrays Meghan's entry into the royal fold as a significant moment in British history, especially as a woman of color joining the monarchy. He suggests that the institution should have made more efforts to embrace her, regardless of personal likability, as her departure sends a negative message about their attitude towards individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Moreover, Scobie appears to suggest that the treatment Meghan received from the Royal Family, particularly from certain members like Catherine, contributed to her struggles during her time as a royal. He criticizes the family's alleged lack of support for Meghan during challenging times, contrasting it with their public advocacy for mental health causes.

Additionally, Scobie's book seems to delve into the relationships within the Royal Family, indicating a perceived divide between Prince William and Prince Harry, as well as pointing out changes in William's temperament and interactions with staff, suggesting a growing distance between him and his father, King Charles.

William, Harry, Meghan and Charles speak together at Westminster Abbey in March 2019

Scobie's perspectives and claims in the book have been met with criticism and skepticism from various sources, including those within Buckingham Palace and from reviewers. The book has been described as "vicious," "plain nasty," and accused of making wild claims about conspiracies within the Royal Family, particularly towards King Charles, Camilla, and Prince William. Critics have also questioned the credibility of the book's content and its portrayal of the Royal Family members.

The portrayal of Princess Diana in the book, branding her as "cold" and criticizing her for purportedly ignoring Meghan's struggles, adds another contentious layer to the overall narrative presented in "Endgame."