The Duchess of Sussex finally dropped the first official episode of her long-awaited Spotify podcast Archetypes on Tuesday, more than a year after landing a deal with the streaming service alongside husband Prince Harry.

With tennis legend Serena Williams as her first guest, Meghan, 41, discussed the double standards women face when they are labelled ‘ambitious’, while also sharing the struggles they have felt as new mothers.

Meghan also revealed a terrifying incident where her son Archie’s playroom caught on fire just moments after the nanny had carried him out of the room.

However, it’s the former Suits actress’ comment on ambition that stirred up her longtime critic Piers, 57.

One Twitter user commented: ‘Meghan Markle on her podcast #Archetypes: ‘I don’t ever remember personally feeling the negative connotation behind the word ambitious, until I started dating my now-husband. And apparently, ambition is a terrible terrible thing, for women that is, according to some.’ Ouch…’

Piers has persistently branded the Duchess ‘Princess Pinocchio’

Piers accused Meghan of ‘trashing the Royal family’

Meghan has officially launched her new Spotify podcast Archetype

Uncensored host Piers replied with a scathing critique of the Duchess: ‘It’s not your ambition we dislike, Princess Pinocchio – it’s the vile way you trash the Royal Family whilst simultaneously exploiting your royal status for millions of dollars as with this podcast.’

Of course, there’s no love lost between Meghan and Piers who has made his sheer disdain for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex abundantly – and increasingly – clear in recent years.

In March 2021, Piers came under fire after saying he didn’t believe Meghan when she told Oprah Winfrey in an explosive interview that she had considered suicide due to the pressure of being scrutinised as a member of the Royal family.

The broadcaster refused to apologise despite receiving a record-breaking number of Ofcom complaints and subsequently quit his job on Good Morning Britain.

In the podcast episode, titled The Misconception of Ambition with Serena Williams, the Duchess pointed out a misconception ‘that if you’re an ambitious woman you have an agenda, you must be calculating or selfish or aggressive, or a climber’.

She added: ‘The notion of ambition comes with many judgements and nuances – especially for women.’