Meghan Markle and Prince Harry make first appearance since announcing pregnancy as they plug podcast

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have made their first appearance since confirming they are expecting a second child, in a Spotify event to plug their upcoming podcast.

Justin Bieber and Billie Eilish also starred in Spotify’s Stream On event on YouTube but it was the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who stole the show.

The couple, who were this month stripped of their patronages by the Queen, confirmed the pregnancy on Valentine’s Day.

Since taking a step back from royal duties, the couple has embarked on numerous partnerships, including a rumoured $112 million deal with Netflix, a podcast series with Spotify and the launch of the Archewell Foundation.

In the Spotify event over a backdrop of a pristine white beach, Meghan says softly: “We’re using podcasting to drive powerful conversations.

Harry, finishing her sentence, continues: “That inspire, challenge and educate.”

Meghan, sitting on a sofa next to her husband, explains the idea: “We created Archewell Audio to make sure that we can elevate voices that maybe aren’t being heard... and hear people’s stories.”

Harry adds: “The biggest part of this is trying to create this community of where you can share (and) encourage everybody else to then share their own vulnerabilities within that safe space.”

It was unclear when the video of Meghan, 39, and Harry, 36, was recorded.

It came days after Buckingham Palace released a stinging statement revealing that the Queen had confirmed they were stepping down from their roles.

It read: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they will not be returning as working members of the Royal Family. Following conversations with the Duke, the Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of the royal family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex: Prince Harry & Meghan Markle

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A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan hit back: “As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organisations they have represented regardless of official role.

“We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”

The last part of the statement has angered some critics who felt the comment was “horribly disrespectful” to the Queen.

It came as CBS revealed Harry and Meghan will do an intimate primetime interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The wide-ranging interview is being screened in a 90-minute special on CBS at 8pm in the US on Sunday, which will be in the early hours of Monday UK time.

Harry and Meghan’s departure from their roles as working members of the Royal family was finalised last week when Buckingham Palace confirmed the Queen had stripped the couple of their royal patronages and Harry of his honorary military roles.

They also lost their positions as president and vice-president of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust (QCT).

The royal family will be braced for what Harry and Meghan say in their first television interview since Megxit.

The pregnant duchess is expected to discuss “stepping into life as a royal, marriage, motherhood…to how she is handling life under intense public pressure”, before being joined by Harry to talk about their move to the US and their future plans.

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