The recent launch of Queen Camilla's podcast, "The Reading Room," an audio extension of her book club, has stirred discussions in royal circles and beyond. This move is particularly notable following the cancellation of Meghan Markle's "Archetypes" podcast after its debut season.

Royal commentators are speculating on the dynamics behind these developments, with some viewing the Queen's foray into podcasting as a subtle counter to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's endeavors.

Denise Palmer Davies, a royal expert, suggested that Camilla's successful entry into the podcasting world could be interpreted as a form of retribution against Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, especially given the portrayal of Camilla as a "villain" in Prince Harry's book "Spare."

"After all the hurtful things Harry has said about Camilla, she has finally got her own back on them," Davies stated in an interview. She elaborated, "If her podcast does well, which I am sure it will, she will have achieved in an area they so desperately wanted to succeed in, then that is the perfect revenge."

Queen Camilla's podcast focuses on her passion for reading and literature, featuring interviews with various authors and literary figures. Despite the speculation of revenge, other commentators like Jennie Bond believe that Camilla's primary motivation is to share her love for books rather than seeking retribution.

"Camilla is better than that. I very much doubt that she gives Meghan much thought - she is far too busy making a resounding success of her new role," Bond noted.

The Queen's venture into podcasting is not her first engagement with digital media; her online book club gained significant following during the lockdown. It highlights Camilla's ability to adapt to modern platforms and use them for promoting literacy and authors. This contrasts with Meghan Markle's experience, whose podcast, despite initial high expectations, did not meet the standards of Spotify and was discontinued.

The termination of the "Archetypes" podcast led to various reactions in the media, with some industry insiders labeling the Sussexes as "Hollywood flops" and their efforts as unfulfilling. United Talent Agency CEO Jeremy Zimmer was quoted at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival criticizing Meghan's audio talent, saying, "Turns out Meghan Markle was not a great audio talent, or necessarily any kind of talent."

These developments signify a shift in the public narrative surrounding the Sussexes and their post-royal endeavors. The success of Queen Camilla's podcast, driven by her genuine interest in literature and devoid of commercial pressures, marks a stark contrast to the Sussexes' experiences in the media industry.