The year began on a high note for Prince Harry as his memoir became the best-selling non-fiction book of all time. Little did we anticipate that this blockbuster delve into life within and beyond the royal family would further deepen the divide between Harry and his blue-blooded relatives. The public was left astounded by the intimate details Harry shared, ranging from personal struggles to private conversations with the Queen. Critics accused him of airing the Royal Family's dirty laundry and harboring negative sentiments towards his brother, Prince William.
Despite the commercial success of the memoir, which exacerbated tensions within the royal family, Harry and Meghan's pursuit of financial independence after stepping back from their royal duties led to a massive $25 million deal with Spotify for their audio ventures. However, this deal came under scrutiny when they parted ways with the platform in June, with Spotify's top executive in podcasting, Bill Simmons, even dubbing them as "grifters."
The couple's efforts to forge a new path away from the royal family have been met with constant scrutiny and criticism, with drama seemingly following them wherever they go.
One of the most significant bombshells of the year was the release of Omid Scobie's book, "Endgame," which contained alleged comments about baby Archie's skin color. This revelation caused a substantial rift between the Sussexes and other members of the royal family, resulting in their exclusion from a high society wedding. The controversy surrounding "Endgame" sparked heated debates about the parties involved and accusations of betrayal in the media.
Satirical depictions of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in animated shows like "Family Guy" and "South Park" only added to the challenges they faced.
In May, Meghan and Harry claimed to have been involved in a harrowing chase with paparazzi, raising concerns for their safety. However, conflicting accounts from others involved in the incident and comparisons to Princess Diana's tragic encounter with paparazzi have led to skepticism.
To add further complexity to their relationship with influential media figure Oprah Winfrey, the couple did not publicly wish her a happy birthday, causing speculation about the state of their friendship.
Financial setbacks hit the couple as their arts foundation recorded a significant drop in donations, resulting in a loss of revenue in 2022. While reassurances were given that this was part of the plan, the decline raises questions about the sustainability of their philanthropic efforts.
In a surprising turn of events, Meghan has returned to filming commercials for a coffee brand in which she had invested. While some found it endearing, others criticized the video's authenticity, questioning the sincerity of Meghan's efforts.
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 abandoning a life of public service in favor of exploiting their celebrity status. It cited underperforming Netflix projects, documentary biographies, and podcasts as contributing factors to their perceived decline in relevance.
In the words of Taylor Swift, "they need to come and say hello, I'm the problem, it's me, I'm here." The Hollywood bubble they've constructed appears to be on the brink of bursting, and, as a South Park analogy aptly puts it, the pin may indeed be about to burst now.
