India Hicks, goddaughter of King Charles III, has taken down a controversial episode of her podcast An Unexpected Journey after it stirred online buzz over a remark made by guest Brooke Shields about Meghan Markle.
The now-unavailable episode, which briefly went viral after its release in early June, featured a candid moment where Shields appeared to mock a story shared by Meghan during a high-profile panel discussion held on International Women’s Day 2024.
Podcast Episode Disappears After Viral Moment
Listeners who now attempt to access the episode on Hicks’ Substack page are met with a “page not found” error, confirming that the episode has been removed.
The podcast initially gained traction due to Shields’ blunt interruption of Meghan’s personal anecdote during a panel titled Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen, moderated by journalist Katie Couric.
Meghan, 43, had begun to recount a story about writing a letter as an 11-year-old in response to a sexist dish soap advertisement — a formative moment that has become part of her public narrative about female empowerment. Shields, however, responded with a quip: “When I was 11, I was playing a prostitute,” referencing her controversial role in the 1978 film Pretty Baby.
Shields Felt Meghan Was “Too Precious” for the Panel’s Tone
On the now-deleted podcast episode, Shields, 60, elaborated on her reaction. “It was just too precious,” she told Hicks, 57, suggesting that Meghan’s serious tone didn’t align with the mood of the event.
“I was like, ‘They’re not going to want to sit here for 45 minutes and listen to anybody be precious or serious.’ I go, ‘Excuse me, I’m so sorry, I’ve got to interrupt you there for one minute,’” Shields recounted. “I was trying not to be rude, but I wanted to be funny because it was so serious.”
Online Reaction and Sudden Removal
The moment quickly drew attention on social media, where opinions were divided. Some praised Shields’ honesty and humor, while others criticized the actress for publicly undercutting another woman’s story, especially at an event centered around female leadership and empowerment.
The decision to remove the episode suggests Hicks may be trying to distance her podcast from the controversy. Neither Hicks nor Shields have issued a public statement about the episode’s removal as of now.
Meghan Markle’s Public Narrative and Continued Scrutiny
Meghan Markle continues to face intense scrutiny over her public appearances and personal stories. While her anecdote about challenging gender stereotypes as a child has often been celebrated, it remains a frequent point of contention in the media.
As royal watchers and podcast fans await any follow-up, the deleted episode serves as a reminder of how quickly a viral moment can shift the narrative—and lead to swift consequences.
