Meghan Markle has been accused of a "calculated rebrand" as she prepares to welcome Tina Knowles, mother of Beyoncé and Solange, on a bonus episode of her podcast.
Confessions of a Female Founder’s final bonus episode will see the Duchess of Sussex welcome the fashion designer and businesswoman, 71, in a surprise episode released on Tuesday.
Knowles appearance was confirmed after production company Lemonada Media revealed last week they had received "a call that we couldn't ignore" from "one of the most influential and inspiring matriarchs in culture today".
However, royal expert Kinsey Schofield believed the surprise announcement move was an attempt at a cynical "rebrand".
Meghan Markle podcast with Tina Knowles has be called a 'calculated rebrand'
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The podcast has seen appearances from a host of female entrepreneurs, including billionaire Spanx founder Sara Blakely most recently, but Schofield felt Knowles's appearance signalled a change in strategy.
"Some of us are interpreting it as a calculated rebrand," she observed, per The Express.
Ahead of the podcast’s release, Meghan teased fans by saying: "We've got one more very special interview for you. A bonus episode. Because when a matriarch calls, and when this matriarch calls, oh, you answer."
In a brief clip from the upcoming episode, Knowles opened up to Meghan about why she "fights so hard" for her famous family, which includes daughters Beyoncé and Solange as well as her four grandchildren.
Tina Knowles is the mother of superstars Beyoncé and Solange and a businesswoman in her own right
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She shared the advice she has given her daughters since childhood: "I tell them every day, since they were little girls, 'You belong anywhere you choose to be'."
Both daughters found fame early in life and have flourished into massively successful artists and mothers in their own right.
The “odd” choice of guest prompted Schofield to speculate on the Duchess of Sussex’s plans for her own daughter, Princess Lilibet.
The expert suggested Meghan may be planning on becoming a similar style of "manager" figure to Lilibet, who will celebrate her fourth birthday this week.
The episode will connect to Knowles's recent memoir "Matriarch," which tells her life story in her own words.
The 71-year-old fashion designer initially hesitated to write the book, admitting to People: "I thought (people) only want to know all my kids' business. They're not going to be interested in me."
However, she discovered a deeper story through the creative process.
"I've lived this incredible life, and you really don't realise it until you start writing everything down," she continued.
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Meghan and Prince Harry recently enjoyed a 'date night' at a Beyonce concert
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Originally focused on her life in the spotlight, designing costumes for Destiny's Child, the memoir evolved into a more detailed personal account.
Meghan's connection with Knowles and her famous family spans many years.
The Duchess and Beyoncé have frequently expressed mutual admiration, meeting at the Lion King premiere in July 2019, where the music icon dubbed Meghan "my princess".
Since then, they have shared parenting tips, birthday wishes and encouraging messages.
Beyoncé even messaged Meghan after her life-changing interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021. "I still can't believe she knows who I am," Meghan marvelled on the couple's Netflix series.
Harry and Meghan recently attended Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles for a "date night".
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