Prince William calls 2024 a brutal year for the royals
- 2024 has been a challenging year for Prince Harry, marked by his father's cancer treatment and criticism of his startup.
- The Duke of Sussex faced backlash over receiving an award honoring Pat Tillman, aggravating public sentiment against him.
- These developments indicate a difficult personal and professional landscape for Harry, raising broader questions about his future.
In 2024, the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, faced numerous challenges that compounded his struggles. Early in the year, news broke that his father, King Charles, was undergoing treatment for cancer, casting a shadow over the royal family. This development was closely followed by increased public scrutiny of Harry's mental health startup, BetterUp, where he serves as chief impact officer. Reports labeled the company a 'toxic trainwreck,' echoing concerns about the organization's internal culture. Such phrases seem to merely compound Harry's difficulties as he navigates both his professional obligations and personal issues. Further complicating matters, Prince Harry was criticized for receiving an award in honor of Pat Tillman, a former American football player and soldier killed in Afghanistan. The award, intended to recognize Harry's work with the Invictus Games—a sporting event for wounded veterans—sparked controversy as Tillman’s mother publicly expressed her disapproval, calling Harry a 'controversial and divisive individual.' This public fallout signified how Harry's actions had become polarizing, intensifying scrutiny on his public persona. Despite these setbacks, the couple, Harry and Meghan Markle, received substantial financial backing for producing content that aims to inspire hope and inform audiences. A deal reportedly worth $100 million with a streaming platform has raised eyebrows, particularly surrounding the quality and reception of their content, which has faced criticism for being 'tedious' and lacking genuine substance. Their podcast venture with Spotify similarly resulted in just twelve episodes before the partnership concluded, demonstrating a lack of lasting impact. As the year progressed, it became evident that the personal ramifications of these events were significant. Reports suggested that Harry's estrangement from his family was largely self-inflicted, raising questions about the state of his relationship with the royal family. William's candid remarks about the 'brutal' year they all faced indicate a family in distress. Meanwhile, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, publicly shared her health struggles after being diagnosed with cancer. This revelation further illustrates the tumultuous backdrop against which Harry's issues are occurring, highlighting a broader narrative of challenges facing the royal family in 2024.