'This year's been tough for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry - but next year won't be much easier'
It’s been a tough year for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, but 2020 won’t necessarily be any easier, according to royal commentators.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have had a year of highs and lows, welcoming baby Archie to the world, launching their own charitable foundation and completing their first overseas tour to South Africa.
But it hasn’t all been plain sailing. The couple faced criticism after rumours of a rift between Harry and brother William, the Duke of Cambridge, as well as coming under fire for using private jets while promoting an environmental agenda.
In October Meghan admitted it had been a “struggle” dealing with being in the spotlight whilst getting used to motherhood.
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She and Harry also launched legal action against the Mail on Sunday over a claim that it unlawfully published one of her private letters, prompting Harry to hit out at "relentless propaganda" and what he called the “same powerful forces” that had attacked his mother.
The couple have taken a break from royal duties at the end of the year, but commentators say things won’t necessarily be any easier when they return in 2020.
Speaking on Yahoo UK’s The Royal Special, Omid Scobie said: “That lawsuit means that this story won’t go away next year. I think this has given it life in a way and thats going to be a real test for them.
“Because I think this will have been their hardest year but unfortunately next year may not be that much easier when it comes to family difficulties.”
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Fellow royal expert Duncan Larcombe said it was clear “there had to be a line drawn” by Meghan and Harry in the same way that William did when pictures of Kate sunbathing topless were published in a French magazine.
“I think there’s a sense for the both the boys that there is a line,” he said.
“I have to say I kind of agree with Harry. The thought of his wife’s letter to her estranged father then being bought by a newspaper and published is possibly something I think a lot of people agree is crossing that line.”
Larcombe, who is former royal editor of The Sun, said it was hard not to feel sorry for members of the royal family, saying: “It’s a horrible horrible position to be in. It’s not natural, you’re a living walking part of a museum. I personally would rather join the Addams family than the royal family - that was my view years ago, it’s still my view.
“I feel sorry for them. They just need to make sure that they don’t walk into any elephant traps.”
