KEY POINTS

  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have big projects launching this year, author Omid Scobie says
  • The couple reportedly is "much happier now than ever"
  • The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their exit from the British Royal Family last January

One year after Megxit, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are still healing from the turmoil. However, the pair is certainly moving forward, carving out an independent path for themselves as independent royals.

They went through a painful journey to get where they are today, according to "Finding Freedom" co-author Omid Scobie, Grazia reported.

"To be at the point they are at now, having set up an empire and a charity in just over nine months, shows just how hard they have worked to make this transition a success," Scobie told the magazine. "But it's taken a lot of work to get here. The journey has been painful."

In January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their shocking exit from the British Royal Family. In a statement posted on their now-defunct Instagram account Sussex Royal, the couple said they will step down from their duties as senior royals and work to become "financially independent."

During their journey, the Sussexes pledged their support to the Queen. But their "freedom came at a cost" and they had to make several difficult decisions as a part of their exit agreement. According to the royal biographer, the Duke of Sussex was "not able to move on from" the fact that his military honors were taken away from him when he departed the royal family.

Nevertheless, the royal couple has been committed to their vision and continues to work toward it despite having to change four houses during the lockdown. As they settle in their new Californian life, they have big things planned for their future.

The year 2021 will kick off for the couple in a big way, the report said. An animated series inspiring women and a progressive nature series conceptualized by the duke on Netflix will mark the beginning of their new year. In addition, Prince Harry is expected to reunite with his brother Prince William for the inauguration of the commemorative statue at Kensington Palace on Princess Diana's 60th birth anniversary, this July.

Scobie said Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will launch several Archewell Foundation projects and initiatives this year.

"We've heard so much about the work they are doing behind the scenes and this year we will get to see that work in action," said Scobie. "A year ago they set out to create a better life for themselves and their family, one that they could flourish in while still carrying out work that has a social impact. They’ve now achieved that and friends say they are happier than ever."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 11: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend a service to mark the centenary of the Armistice at Westminster Abbey on November 11, 2018 in London, England. The Armistice ending the First World War between the Allies and Germany was signed at Compiègne, France on eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month - 11am on the 11th November 1918. This day is commemorated as Remembrance Day with special attention being paid for this year's centenary. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images