Meghan Markle to appear at SxSW festival in Texas

As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s professional interests diverge, it’s been revealed what the Duchess of Sussex has planned next but she’s facing a significant drop in earnings.

Meghan Markle will speak at the SxSW festival in Texas. Picture: Getty Images

Meghan Markle has been described as a “visionary female leader” ahead of her appearance on a star-studded panel at the opening day of the famed SxSW festival in Texas.

The Duchess of Sussex is scheduled to appear at the annual event on Friday local time alongside Brooke Shields and legendary US broadcaster Katie Couric where she’ll address social media use, and the trio will discuss “breaking barriers” and “challenging stereotypes”.

South by Southwest is an annual festival that celebrates technology, film, music, education and culture, and runs from March 8-16.

Meghan Markle is getting to work as she looks to relaunch her career. Picture: AFP

According to SxSW organisers, the session is presented by the Sussexes’ Archewell Foundation and The 19th, a US non-profit newsroom that reports on gender, politics and policy.

In a statement, the organisers said: “Women’s representation in media and entertainment has come a long way, but there’s still much to be done, especially for women of colour and mothers.

“Social media’s omnipresence has raised the stakes, creating an often dangerous environment which has led to serious mental health issues for teenage girls in particular.

The Duchess of Sussex will appear at the SxSW festival in Texas. Picture: Getty Images

“On International Women’s Day, we’ll hear from visionary female leaders at the forefront of news, media, entertainment and philanthropy who are breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and working toward a healthier society on and off our screens.”

The appearance is the latest of a series of public engagements by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the latest of which saw Ms Markle appear in London via video for the opening of a new wing of the animal charity Mayhew.

It comes as the Duchess signed a new podcast deal with a new streaming network but could face a $30 million-dollar loss.

Actress Brooke Shields will be on a panel with Meghan Markle. Picture: Getty Images for SiriusXM

US TV personality Katie Couric will also appear alongside the Duchess. Picture: Getty Images

Ms Markle has signed with American podcast network Lemonada Media to create new content, and her old 12-episode Archetypes episodes will also be distributed by the firm.

But while her previous Spotify gig was worth around $35 million, her new contract could be worth significantly less.

“The Lemonada deal is believed to be worth much less than the former Spotify deal,” branding expert Andrew Bloch told The Sun.

“While the couple were paid around $35 million by Spotify, Lemonada’s total revenue across all of its podcasts was around $12 million last year.”

The Sussexes have rebranded their professional interests. Picture: AFP

And the deal is estimated to be worth significantly less, Mr Bloch estimated.

“Meghan’s new deal could be worth roughly 10 per cent of Spotify deal, so around $3.6 million.”

In a statement as she signed her new deal, Ms Markle said: “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.

“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.

News of the new podcast came hours after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex ditched Archewell.com and replaced it with Sussex.com – in a bid to share “personal” updates with followers.

The couple still have their deal with Netflix, where they have created shows like their Harry & Meghan documentary, and the Duke of Sussex’s Heart of Invictus show.

– with The Sun