Meghan Markle's 'Archetypes' Podcast Dragged in U.K. Press, Praised Online

The debut of Meghan Markle's Archetypes podcast on Spotify was described as "vapid chat" and given one star by a U.K. newspaper but won support on social media.

The Duchess of Sussex's new outing for Spotify began with an interview with Serena Williams in which the pair discussed how female ambition is treated more negatively.

Among the most attention-grabbing revelations from the podcast was Meghan's description of having to continue royal engagements after her son Archie, then nearly five months old, narrowly avoided being caught up in a fire in his room during a tour of South Africa.

Early reviews in two British newspapers have been searingly critical while other journalists praised the duchess on social media.

The Times Gives 'Archetypes' One Star

James Marriott, of U.K. broadsheet The Times, gave Archetypes one star and wrote: "The first episode of the Duchess of Sussex's series, focusing on the tennis star Serena Williams, is packed with tinkly music and vapid chat."

"The Duchess of Sussex's almost entirely preposterous new podcast Archetypes promises to 'rip apart the boxes women have been placed into for generations'," Marriott wrote. "On the evidence of the first episode an interview with Serena Williams, it won't really do this at all. The podcast is a tastefully sound-tracked parade of banalities, absurdities and self-aggrandizing Californian platitudes.

"The effect of all the tinkly music and vapid conversation is to make you feel you've been locked in the relaxation room of a wellness spa with an unusually self-involved yoga instructor," he said.

"Even those sympathetic to Meghan's plight (and I had once thought I might be one of those people) will find that the full hour of an episode of Archetypes will put them in an unusually grumpy mood."

The Daily Telegraph Says 'Archetypes' Offers 'Maximum Navel-Gazing'

Celia Walden, of U.K. broadsheet The Daily Telegraph, praised Meghan for having "the perfect, smooth podcast voice" but suggests episode one of Archetypes was too much about the duchess and not enough about Williams.

"The podcast is an interview with this inspirational sporting figure in name only. If the rest of the season is anything like the premiere, what we're really going to be listening into week after week is Meghan interviewing herself," Walden wrote.

"Maybe the former actress doesn't realize she's doing this. Or maybe the plan was always to invite a series of foils on to debate cultural and societal unfairnesses that Meghan has (coincidentally) also been a victim of. Certainly, this week's offering, The Misconception of Ambition, allows for maximum navel-gazing."

"Every woman has had a girlfriend like Meghan," she said, "the one who turns every confidence back to them and hijacks every distressing anecdote with one of their own—only theirs is longer drawn-out, more distressing. There's a humdinger in this podcast that I'll leave it to you to enjoy."

Walden does, however, suggest Archetypes may be successful in America: "She may now be a small fish in a big pond, but I'm guessing the podcast could be a success Stateside. Meghan's not just got the purr but the contacts and the cast-iron confidence to make it one."

Praise for 'Archetypes' Online

There was, however, support for Meghan on social media with fans of Archetypes taking to Twitter to express their excitement at the long-awaited show.

Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a prominent U.K. lawyer and author, wrote: "In solidarity with Meghan Markle as she launches new podcast #Archetypes out today. 👇🏽Check it out on Spotify. Let's reject the labels & stereotypes with #DontBelieveTheType."

Broadcaster and columnist Jasmine Dotiwala tweeted: "Driving listening to #MeghanMarkle new @Spotify podcast #Archetypes. She discusses powerful women & overcoming barriers, choosing to challenge, the fact that society doesn't often approve of ambitious women with @serenawilliams & other super-dope women!"

She added: "Meghan is a great speaker, presenter, host & interviewer."

Courtney Pochin, the lifestyle editor for U.K. tabloid The Daily Mirror, wrote on Twitter: "I'm sorry but Meghan Markle is a genius for this. A podcast about the words used against women, after she's been called everything under the sun. A big FU to her haters, but in a very classy and clever way. 👏🏻 👏🏻👏🏻#Archetypes."