Nine months ago, in October 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their first podcast appearance as guests on the podcast Teenager Therapy in honor of World Mental Health Day. Later that year, the couple announced the launch of their own audio-first production company, Archewell Audio (opens in new tab), and signed a multi-year, multi-million dollar deal with Spotify, which received a huge response.

"What we love about podcasting is that it reminds all of us to take a moment and really listen, to connect with each other without distractions," Harry and Meghan said in a statement at the time.

"Because we listen to each other, and in listening to each other, we are reminded of how connected we all are."

The announcement was made on December 15, followed by a 33-minute "2020 Archewell Audio Holiday Special (opens in new tab)" on December 29, "a special collection of inspiration, reflection and perspective from guests around the world." will be broadcast. Celebrities from Sir Elton John to Dr. Brené Brown to Naomi Osaka were featured, and even their two sons Archie, then 19 months old, were heard speaking publicly for the first time. What followed was a storm of silence and public questions: where did Archiewell Audio go?

Given that the holiday special was released shortly after the announcement, many assumed that new episodes would be released soon. However, a closer look at Spotify's announcement (opens in new tab) reveals otherwise: "Before the New Year, Archewell Audio and Spotify's Gimlet Studios will release their first offering, the Holiday Special." The Holiday Special is not part of a broader series, suggesting that it is stand-alone content. The release continues: "In 2021, the Duke and Duchess will produce and host a podcast that builds community through shared experiences and values," with no word on when in 2021 the first series will be available.

One possible reason why Archewell Audio has stalled: the U.S. Patent Office has not yet approved the Sussexes' "Archewell Audio" trademark, as reported by royal correspondent Rebecca Taylor. She explains in a Yahoo article, "The Patent Office has approved Archewell, but the couple must make further changes to their other two applications, Audio and Foundation." The necessary clarifications include adding a disclaimer, clarifying the nature of the "live stage performances" that the couple says Archewell Audio can hold, and clarifying that the "podcasts, audio programs, music, and audio books" that Archewell Audio wants to trademark are " entertainment-based services" that Archewell Audio wishes to trademark. The Sussexes have until December 25 to make this adjustment.

But that may not be the only reason; it is no exaggeration to say that a lot has happened to the Sussexes in 2021. On the professional front, in 2021 Megan will release The Bench and become a best-selling picture book author, (opens in new tab) Harry will release The Me You Can't See documentary with Oprah Winfrey on Apple TV+, (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) and has taken on the new role of Chief Impact Officer for BetterUp (opens in new tab). In addition to their numerous appearances, the two launched the Archewell website, served as campaign chair for #VaxLive: The Concert to Reunite the World (opens in new tab), served as campaign chair for Archewell Productions' first 's Netflix series "Heart of Invictus" (opens in new tab) and animated series "Pearl" (opens in new tab), and launched a multi-year partnership with Procter & announced a multi-year partnership with Gamble. And in March, she appeared at the TV event of the year, being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey (opens in new tab) in front of tens of millions of viewers.

The Oprah interview was just one of many personal events the two experienced in 2021. The Sussexes announced on Valentine's Day that they were expecting their second child after last summer's pregnancy loss (opens in new tab), and daughter Lilibet Diana (opens in new tab) was born on June 4. Harry has visited the U.K. twice, in April to mourn the death of his grandfather Prince Philip and earlier this month to unveil a statue of his mother, Princess Diana, on her 60th birthday. Both Harry and Princess Meghan are on parental leave, and sources say they plan to take "appropriate time off" to immerse themselves in family time together, including celebrating Meghan's 40th birthday on August 4: In July 2021, Archewell hired veteran podcast producer Rebecca Sananes to head up the audio department; Sananes, who joins the team in August, has an impressive resume: she is the lead producer of the award-winning podcast "Pivot" with Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway, and has over a decade of experience in podcasting and She has more than a decade of experience in journalism. This hire is a sign that new content is coming and that it will be of high quality.

In light of the above, we should be able to expect more content from Archewell Audio this year: an Archewell Audio spokesperson confirmed to Marie Claire that the team is looking forward to sharing more content in late 2021. In the meantime, Harry and Meghan are expected to spend the summer adjusting to life as a family of four before returning to work in the fall.