Exclusive: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at 'Their Lowest Point' in a Decade After Failing to Get Their Career Off the Ground

This year is off to a not-so-promising start for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which puts the ex-working royals in a precarious position after their "setbacks" throughout 2023.

"The reported fallout with the Beckhams and the Golden Globes' humorous jabs add layers to their public image, indicating the substantial work that lies ahead," Mark Boardman, a royal commentator and the founder of MarkMeets.com, exclusively tells The Royal Observer.

"Understanding how these dynamics may influence their personal and professional choices in 2024 promises to be a compelling discussion," he adds.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex faced a moment of reckoning in Tinseltown last summer when reports surfaced that the royal rebels were undergoing a "freeze out" in the City of Angels. This followed the embarrassment of the loss of their Spotify contract in June amid a rumor mill suggesting there was trouble in the royal marriage.

The couple's high-profile appearance at the 2023 Invictus Games seemed to quell the cold shoulder in Hollywood, but both were the subject of negative headlines once again when Omid Scobie's Endgame hit shelves in late November. Being labeled two of last year's "biggest losers" by a major West Coast publication has naturally led to speculation about how the pair can turn over a new leaf.

"As we look into the next 12 months and how 2024 could shape up for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the couple are fraught with many crucial decisions with no way out if they choose to focus in a particular direction, and they have another failure on their hands," Boardman observes.

The entertainment expert explains how "recent months have been stressful, primarily due to bad press from TV, award shows, and crucially, the public and the world's media." Despite what appears to be a challenging outlook, the journalist is predicting that the year could essentially go either way for the Montecito royals, "with the power couple making a comeback or another year of mediocre outcomes."

It is important to note that Harry and Meghan are still bound to their Netflix deal worth $100 million dollars and set to expire in 2025. The Duke of Sussex still has a lucrative publishing deal, and the former Suits star is still part of the roster at talent agency WME, even though no sponsored projects have been announced in nearly a year since her signing.

When it comes to the British royal family and this year's outlook with Team Sussex, more of the same seems to be on the table. The couple's "family relations, especially with their parents, [are] possibly at the lowest point we've seen in a decade," Boardman states.