Meghan Markle and Prince Harry already have several major projects on the horizon this year after a busy 2021.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appear to be preparing to finally launch a weekly Spotify podcast, which will feature "high-profile women," according to job adverts put out to hire the producers.
Harry has launched a "judicial review" of the Home Office decision to strip him of his police protection, warning he considers the security risk in Britain too great to return home.
At the same time, there are two major royal diary dates in the U.K.—Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee and a service of Thanksgiving for Prince Philip.
The end of year has a major life moment in store as well, since Harry is preparing to release his life story in a memoir.
Archewell Audio Podcast for Spotify
Meghan and Harry launched their Archewell Audio podcast with a festive special in December 2020, but they have released no new content for it since.
During that time, their Oprah Winfrey interview dominated global headlines, while the prince also released a high profile mental health documentary for Apple TV with the chat show icon.
However, there are now signs a new weekly Archewell show could land in 2022 after job adverts were put out looking for three producers on six-month contracts.
Gimlet Projects, which describes itself as "part of the Spotify family," is hiring new staff with "an interest in the intersection of social activism and popular culture."
The job advert states: "We're currently assembling a show team that will build and launch a new original show with Archewell featuring the voices of high profile women."
Prince Harry's Police Protection Lawsuit
The prince filed a "judicial review," or legal challenge, of the British Home Office decision to remove his police protection during visits to the U.K.
The case is in its early stages, but Harry's legal representative says the duke first offered to fund his own Metropolitan Police team at a meeting with the royals at Sandringham, in January 2020.
The representative said: "In the absence of such protection, Prince Harry and his family are unable to return to his home.
"The Duke first offered to pay personally for UK police protection for himself and his family in January of 2020 at Sandringham. That offer was dismissed."
The case has been filed against the government but the framing of the statement appears to suggest Harry viewed the royals themselves as having at least some influence over the decision.
A palace source told Newsweek it was a Home Office decision not taken by the royal family.
The Platinum Jubilee and Prince Philip
Prince Harry's suggestion, via his representative, that he, Meghan and their children are "unable to return to his home" without police protection could have major implications for two approaching royal events.
Buckingham Palace announced in December that there will be a Service of Thanksgiving in memory of Prince Philip's life at Westminster Abbey in the spring.
There will also be high profile Platinum Jubilee events celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne over four days in early June.
However, beyond security concerns, the festivities coincide with their daughter's first birthday.
Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor turns one on June 4, when there will be a star-studded party at the palace in the queen's honor.
Both events might offer a glimmer of hope for a reconciliation between the Sussexes and the royal family, but only if they make the journey to Britain to attend.
Prince Harry's Memoir
The duke has another major milestone toward the end of the year when his memoir is due for release.
A press release from publisher Penguin Random House in July 2021 said the book was "tentatively" scheduled for late 2022.
Prince Harry released a statement at the time his memoir was announced that read: "I'm writing this not as the prince I was born, but as the man I have become.
"I've worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story—the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned—I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think.
"I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to share what I've learned over the course of my life so far and excited for people to read a first hand account of my life that's accurate and wholly truthful."
The press release added: "In an intimate and heartfelt memoir from one of the most fascinating and influential global figures of our time, Prince Harry will share, for the very first time, the definitive account of the experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons that have helped shape him."
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Jack Royston is Newsweek's Chief Royal Correspondent based in London, U.K. He reports on the British royal family—including King Charles ... Read more
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