I’m in no rush for summer to end, especially not Bennifer Summer. But the cover of the new issue of PEOPLE seems to be looking ahead to a new season, fall 2021, suggesting that the celebrity couple that might supplant Bennifer this autumn is Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, of the House Sussex.
It’s been exactly a year since the publication of Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand’s Finding Freedom, the book about Harry and Meghan that caused all that conversation. The book is being published in paperback on August 31 with a new epilogue, which is why PEOPLE’s taking advantage of that timing and dedicating their cover this week to the Sussexes.
That said, there aren’t all that many updates. This is more like a notice that there will be updates.
“Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are ready to take their next steps back into an intentionally public life.
With their parental leave coming to an end, they are preparing for a busy fall and winter as many of the programs they've been working on behind the scenes kick into action.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex — who welcomed baby Lilibet Diana (a little sister for brother Archie, 2) in June — are entering "the era of visibility," Omid Scobie tells PEOPLE.”
What exactly does “the era of visibility” mean? What’s interesting is that, well, Harry and Meghan are never far from the headlines. Every day the UK tabloids find some bullsh-t reason to write about them, and even though the stories are almost never in favour of the Sussexes, they wouldn’t keep doing it if it wasn’t a draw, if it wasn’t what people are clicking on…and therefore profitable for these outlets. So as much as they drag Harry and Meghan, they’re also benefiting from them. Because Harry and Meghan sell papers.
In that sense, there’s an illusion that Harry and Meghan have been visible, because they’ve never been out of the cultural consciousness. Even though, well, they actually have been out of the public eye. After the Television Event of the Year, their interview with Oprah, which aired in March, Meghan in particular has kept a very low profile. She’s not showing up to events. She’s not getting papped at the grocery store. She releases a video here and there of herself interviewing someone or being interviewed, but she’s been pretty under the radar, including when her children’s book came out, and obviously it’s been a while since we’ve seen the two of them, together, step out together. Understandably. There’s a newborn baby at home. Their summer has likely been all about spending time with Archie and Lilibet both, precious moments for a young family.
Is that all about to change? Are we about to see a Sussex comeback for the back half of 2021? And what does that look like? Like.. Met Gala? I mean, it would be a HUGE get for Anna Wintour if that were the case, and people’s heads would explode, especially since the theme this year is American fashion. Which I would love to see if only because of the ensuing British media meltdown.
If I were advising the Sussexes though, I would say hold on the Met Gala until Meghan can actually be a co-chair. That’s the ideal way to make your debut.
You know what else is happening in New York that week though? The UN General Assembly. That’s definitely in line with their work and the causes they champion. This is pie in the sky speculation, obviously, and probably even more unlikely than the Met Gala given whatever controversy might unfold over what nation they’re representing. But if we’re talking visibility, I mean the UN would be a massive spotlight. There’s your fall preview – Season 2 (or is it 3?) of the Sussex Show coming soon.
