Pretty much everyone on Earth is counting down the days until the 'ish show that has been the year 2020 is finally over. (Seriously, December 31 at 11:59 p.m. is going to be one heck of a socially distanced party.) But in the case of our favorite royal runaway couple, Prince Harry and Meghan, they may actually not be totally psyched about chucking the old calendar and cracking open 2021. That's because there's a lot of stuff coming down the pike that will seriously challenge them as they continue to build a new life in their sunny Santa Barbara home.
In the nearly one year that has passed since the couple took baby Archie and left London, a lot has happened — with a lot of hurdles along the way. The family spent time in Canada while formulating a plan and then ultimately moved to Meghan's home state of California just before the borders closed, staying at Tyler Perry's home while they searched for their own. They gained financial freedom via a Netflix deal, scored a $14 million mansion, and started to plan their foundation, Archewell. (Whew!)
That's a lot, considering that the entire time they've dealt with relentlessly negative press foretelling their demise and a global health concern that has thrown several wrenches in their path. However, 2021 is no time to slow down but instead is a time to double down on their gains, because there's a lot that they have yet to accomplish — and a lot of roadblocks in their way. There are legal issues to battle (or avoid), relationships to repair (or continue to build), ideas to turn into projects, and philanthropy to carry out.
It could very easily get tough for the couple really fast. Here's hoping we all have an amazing 2021 — Harry and Meghan included — but let's take a look at where the upcoming year could get, well, hairy for them.
Embarrassing Court Case
Meghan Markle's lawsuit against the Daily Mail — remember that? Shortly before leaving royal duties behind, the duchess sued the British tabloid for publishing parts of a handwritten letter she sent her estranged father, Thomas. The trial was delayed 'til November 2021, at Meghan's request, for reasons that remain secret.
Though Meghan is justified in suing, given that in Britain letters are considered the intellectual property of the sender, the case has already brought dramatic revelations that she and Harry would probably have preferred stay out of the public — such as private texts. There's always the likelihood that even revelations that reflect positively on the couple will be twisted to make them look bad, as has happened in the past.
Meghan's Dad Could Get Nastier
Thomas Markle — and the rest of his clan — has never had a problem airing out his and Meghan's dirty laundry in the press, usually for money. He's already threatened to dig deeper into the family hamper for more at the trial.
Though we haven't heard from him in a minute (could he and Meghan be patching up their relationship now that they're geographically closer??), he's always out there — like the ultimate wild card. We get the feeling that the slightest perceived slight could send him running back to the tabloids.
Lagging Charity Launch
After leaving royal life, Meghan and Harry announced they'd be launching their own foundation. But after the random announcement of the foundation's name, followed by a bungled initial website launch — and a global health crisis that has delayed everything under the sun — we still have no firm idea when Archewell will actually launch. We do know that the couple continues to build a pretty impressive team, and so we can only hope that we'll hear more soon.
Pressure To Succeed
By negotiating a mega-deal with Netflix to produce content, Harry and Meghan ensured their financial freedom. (Remember how they immediately repaid $3 million worth of repairs done at Frogmore Cottage?)
Now comes the hard work: actually producing the "inspiring content" they've promised. Will it be inspiring? Will it be entertaining? Will it flop? We have yet to see, but even if it's Oscar-worthy, we can be sure that it will be scrutinized down to the minutest detail.
Loss of Momentum?
When the couple left Britain, they may have wanted a respite from paparazzi and the press, but they never meant to disappear almost completely. Although they have stayed active with video calls with charities, as well as community service visits, while staying safe at home, they haven't been as visible as they probably would like to be.
Meanwhile, everyone's attention has been gripped by an off-the-chart bonkers year featuring a nearly derailed election, Black Lives Matter protests, a health crisis resurgence, myriad viral TikToks, and all kinds of other news — all of which may leave observers wondering if Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are headed for irrelevance in 2021. One quick fix could be Harry and Meghan having an actual social media presence, which they've sorely lacked.
Continued Conflict With Prince William
A recent book by a longtime royal expert and historian focused on the major rift between Harry and his brother and future king, Prince William. It was not pretty and pinpointed the siblings' roles as the "heir and the spare," as well as their disagreement over Harry's getting serious quickly with Meghan, as major causes.
We're not privy to how the brothers are handling their disagreements behind the scenes, obviously, but we see no signs that there's healing going on, and we wonder if that's going to change in 2021.
Conflict With the Palace
After a picture of Harry and Meghan paying their respects to fallen veterans at Los Angeles National Cemetery during Remembrance Day was made public by the couple, critics pounced, calling it showy and opportunistic — never mind that as a veteran of war himself with a record of advocating for vets, it would have been weird if Harry hadn't.
But then another detail was revealed: Harry had paid for a poppy wreath to be made and asked his family to place it on his behalf during the royal family's annual ceremony at a war memorial. They refused, and we can only imagine that move has only further divided Harry and his family going into the new year.
Speaking of Lack of Social Media ...
Once upon a time, Harry and Meghan's @sussexroyal Insta had more followers than Kate and William's buttoned up @kensingtonroyal. Now the account sits un-updated and is bleeding followers. Meanwhile, Kate and William have loosened their style by adding more casual posts, sometimes accompanied by pop music. Harry and Meghan had better have a kick-butt social media strategy in 2021.
They Are Outgunned
Let's face it: The queen and the royal family have mega-bucks to spend on staging official appearances during a global health crisis and make it safe even for the 94-year-old monarch. Palace staff vets and tests the people whom the royals will meet during official outings, and makes sure that every corner of any building they're entering is germ-free.
Harry and Meghan don't have that sort of money or leverage, and that's not likely to change in 2021. We're guessing they'll be making a lot of outdoor appearances.
Tax Headaches
Whew, child, the taxes that Meghan and Harry could face on their income. California has state income tax — about 13% or more depending on how many millions one makes in a year — and then there's federal income tax to contend with, of course. As much money as they stand to make from their Netflix deal, speaking engagements, and other revenue streams, the couple could fork over lots of their takings for taxes in 2021. Unless, like every other rich family, they get a wizard of a tax lawyer — if they haven't already.
The Return of the Paps
We may all be staying safe at home now as we're slammed again by a certain C-word, but there is recently announced hope that we may be getting back to normal in 2021, thanks to medical breakthroughs. When that happens, Harry and Meghan will be able to be more visible, but they will certainly face the return of their old foes: the paparazzi. Cue angst.
Good Deed Fatigue
OK, not to be total jerks, because we think that Harry and Meghan's laser-like focus on philanthropy is totally awesome, but anyone else wish they did something other than good deeds? Again, not that we're complaining that they bring awareness to important causes, but, ya know, go to the beach and throw a frisbee with the pups or video yourselves cooking together with Archie.
Harry and Meghan's easy manner with the public and each other was one of the things that made them so appealing as working royals. They need to bring that back in 2021 or risk losing people to good deed fatigue.
Archie's Terrible Twos
Archie is cute as all get out, yes, but he'll be 2 in May, and y'all know what that means: The terrible twos are going to descend, full force. Considering that the royal tot probably doesn't have a lot of playdates thanks to staying safe at home, he's probably going to be super extra in 2021. Good luck, Harry and Meghan!
One-Year Review
When Meghan and Harry left royal life, the Queen gave them a one-year review period, which left the door open for them to come back into the fold — if they hadn't done anything terrible or embarrassing — essentially. Although we don't think they have, the couple have been criticized for their outspokenness on issues of race and politics since leaving the uber image-conscious royal family. Controversial moves have included Meghan urging Americans to vote in a video — which shouldn't have been controversial, given that the Queen herself has done it in the past — and Harry urging Britain to examine its history of racism … which, ahem, pretty much was fomented by the colonizing royal family's owning half the world at one point.
Those moves are likely to be the final nail on the coffin in terms of any chance of resuming royal duties. Even though Harry and Meghan have only ever really looked forward after their departure, it is the end of an era, and leaves them without any palace help for anything. They'll truly be on their own, which can make for a daunting 2021.
Relationship Strain?
Meghan and Harry seem to have a pretty solid relationship, if their PDA is anything to go by. So far, their relationship has withstood a ton of pressure, from hitting the ground running as working royals, to becoming parents a year after their wedding, to reading bad press about them, to having strained relationships with family members, to deciding to peace out of working royal life, to moving across the globe, to quarantining.
The list goes on and on. Will that continue in 2021, with everything they have going on? We hope so, for their sake and baby Archie's, and if so, we also hope that they publish a relationship book or podcast or something, cause it's tough out here for couples.
