Prince Harry ‘wanted to interview Vladimir Putin about his childhood traumas for his and Meghan’s podcasts’

PRINCE Harry wanted to interview Vladimir Putin about his “childhood traumas” for his and Meghan’s podcasts, it was claimed yesterday.

As well as the bloodthirsty Russian tyrant, Harry also hoped to quiz former US president Donald Trump about his formative years.

But Spotify and the couple’s Archewell company ended their £18million deal by “mutual agreement” after Meghan produced only 13 broadcasts in 2½ years.

Respected news agency Bloomberg claimed that 38-year-old Harry’s wish-list went on to include Pope Francis and Facebook supremo Zuckerberg.

He was also said to have made a pitch to discuss societal issues in each episode, including climate change and religion.

But questions and concerns were raised over the logistics and practicalities in contacting controversial figures — especially Putin, who is an international pariah after his invasion of Ukraine.

It was understood that Arche­well denies the Bloomberg claims.

The row comes days after a Spotify executive blasted Harry and Meghan.

Bill Simmons, Head of Podcast Innovation, said: “‘The f***ing grifters.’ 

"That’s the podcast we should have launched with them.”

He added on his own podcast: “I gotta get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea.

“It’s one of my best stories.”

The Duchess of Sussex, 41, produced 12 episodes plus a “holiday special” in her 31 months with Spotify.

Sources in the US claim Meghan was let go after failing to meet productivity requirements as part of the mega-bucks deal.

It is thought that Meghan now wants to produce podcasts with other companies.

The loss of the Spotify deal came amid fears the couple could be ditched by Netflix after signing a deal worth around £80million three years ago.

The Sun revealed earlier this month that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are stepping back from tell-all TV shows and podcasts — with critics saying they have “nothing left to say”.

And The Sun on Sunday told how Netflix bosses believe “the lemon has been fully squeezed”.

The Sussexes’ six-part series Harry & Meghan last year was one of the streaming giants’ most-watched shows.

But the couple do not plan to front any more Netflix documentaries — though Harry will feature later this summer in his series Heart of Invictus, about the Invictus Games for wounded servicemen and women.

Netflix also canned Meghan’s animated series called Pearl.

Sources said Netflix felt Meghan “lives in her own bubble” and does not seem to have “grasped the economic reality” of the current situation.

One added: “Their series did great numbers but there is a less friendly attitude from some at the top.”

Harry and Meghan had promised to become financially independent after stepping down as senior royals in 2020.

They are no longer funded by the taxpayer or King Charles and live in a sprawling £11million mansion in California.