Meghan Markle's subtle swipe at the Royal Family and restrictions she had to abide by

Prince Harry and his wife quit royal life in January 2020 and she seemed to take a veiled 'swipe' at the royal family in the final episode of her axed podcast series, Archetypes

Meghan Markle hasn't held back with her criticism of the royal family and she included a subtle swipe at the monarchy during the season finale of her podcast, Archetypes, according to an expert.

Archetypes ran for just 12 episodes and saw Meghan speak to celebrities, historians and experts about the history of stereotypes levelled against women. It has since been axed following Spotify's decision to end its £16 million deal with Harry and Meghan last year, but in February Meghan signed a new deal with Lemonada to continue her "love of podcasting".

Signing off in her final Archetypes episode, Meghan appeared to make a dig at the royals as she spoke about feeling "seen". "I feel seen, I had never considered that in using my voice I would feel seen, but I do," Prince Harry's wife remarked. "Many moons ago I heard a quote that I will share with you today because as we talk about labels, tropes and boxes that some may try to squeeze you into and roles and stereotypes that are attributed to you that don't quite fit the full person that you are, this 'what didn't you do to bury me? But you forgot that I was a seed'.

"To that point my friend, keep growing and I'll see you on the flipside. As ever, I'm Meghan," she concluded. According to royal biographer Phil Dampier, the quote was directly aimed at the royals and the life she left behind. He told the Sun: "I'm sure that it was a veiled reference to the restrictions of the Royal Family. It's a clever way of doing it because she's not directly saying something but people can still read into it what they like. Then if anyone takes offence she can say 'oh I didn't mean it like that'."

The Duchess of Sussex's new deal with Lemonada Media will mean fans can stream Archetypes on all of the company's platforms as well as her new show, which does not have a name or a release date yet. It comes after a royal expert suggested that there were two things Meghan wanted during her time in the royal family - and her inability to get them may have contributed to the Sussexes' decision to step down.

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK! magazine: "I have always held the view that Meghan failed to understand that she would never be the top dog in the Royal Family … or even the deputy top dog. There's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to be in complete control and charge of your life. There's nothing wrong with seeking the limelight. It's just that the Royal Family was the wrong vehicle for her ambitions."

Harry and Meghan shocked royal fans when they announced their decision to quit royal life in January 2020, less than two years after their wedding. Harry and Meghan now live in Montecito with their two children , but have emerged as controversial figures following their numerous attacks on the British monarchy.