The public was stunned by the intimate details Harry shared, from frostbitten appendages to private conversations with the queen. Critics accused him of exposing the Royal Family's dirty laundry and harboring ill feelings toward his brother, Prince William. Despite the commercial success of the memoir, it fueled tensions within the royal family in their quest for financial independence.
After stepping back from Royal duties, Meghan and Harry signed a massive $25 million deal with Spotify for their audio content. However, their fairy tale quickly unraveled as they mutually parted ways with the platform in June. The fallout even earned them the label of "grifters" from a top Spotify executive, Bill Simmons. The couple's attempts to forge a new path away from the royal family faced continuous scrutiny and criticism, with drama following them wherever they went.
One of the year's major bombshells came with the release of Omid Scobie's book, "Endgame," which alleged comments about the skin tone of baby Archie. This revelation caused a significant rift between the Sussexes and other members of the royal family, leading to their exclusion from a high-profile society wedding. The drama surrounding "Endgame" ignited debates about the involved parties and their portrayal in the media. Satirical depictions of the Duke and Duchess in animated shows like "Family Guy" and "South Park" added to their challenges.
In May, Meghan and Harry claimed to have been involved in a near-catastrophic chase with paparazzi, citing concerns for their safety. The incident raised eyebrows due to conflicting accounts from others involved and through comparisons to Princess Diana's tragic encounters with paparazzi.
As if these events weren't enough, the couple's friendship with Oprah Winfrey appeared strained when they didn't publicly wish her a happy birthday. This added complexity to their already complicated relationship with the influential media figure.
Financially, the couple faced setbacks as their Archewell Foundation recorded a significant drop in donations, leading to a revenue loss for 2022. Despite reassurances that this was part of a long-term financial plan, the decline raised questions about the sustainability of their philanthropic efforts.
In a surprising turn of events, Meghan made her return to acting in an advertisement for a coffee brand she has invested in. While some found it endearing and welcomed her back on screen, others criticized the contrived nature of the video, questioning the authenticity of Meghan's endeavors.
The year concluded with a scathing article in The Hollywood Reporter labeling Harry and Meghan as the biggest losers of 2023. The article criticized them for forsaking a life of public service to capitalize on their celebrity status, citing underwhelming Netflix projects, their documentary biography, and podcast. In the words of Taylor Swift's anti-hero, it's time for Harry and Meghan to look in the mirror and say, "It's me. Hi, I'm the problem. It's me." The Hollywood bubble they've created seems to be on the verge of bursting, and as South Park aptly put it, the pin might be coming.
