Meghan and Harry's first podcast invites special guests to reflect on a hectic 2020

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first ever podcast is here, and it's a genuinely moving holiday special that looks back through the year — and hopefully forward.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released their first official podcast as part of their multi-year partnership with Spotify under their new production company Archewell Audio. The deal was announced in mid-December — just months after the pair signed a major one with Netflix.

Meghan and Harry will be producing and presenting a range of podcasts for Spotify, with the first complete series set to launch in 2021. But they've released a standalone holiday special as a team-up with Spotify-owned Gimlet.

"As we all know, it’s been a year. And we really want to honor the compassion and kindness that has helped so many people get through it," says Harry.

"And at the same time, to honour those who have experienced uncertainty and unthinkable loss. Our thoughts have been with you, especially during this holiday season," adds Meghan. "We also want to thank healthcare workers, frontline service workers, and so many others for their sacrifices."

The podcast episode features special guests including former Georgia House Minority leader Stacey Abrams, the legendary Sir Elton John, tennis champion and former world no.1 Naomi Osaka, late show host James Corden, chef José Andrés, professor and podcaster Brené Brown, writer and anti-racism activist Rachel Cargle, actor Tyler Perry, author Deepak Chopra, Notes on a Nervous Planet author Matt Haig, poet and mental health campaigner Hussain Manawer, teen climate and food activist Christina Adane, and spoken word artist George the Poet, "people that inspire us, people we admire," the royal pair say, who reflect on the year that we've just been through while offering up hope for 2021.

The Duke and Duchess asked all their guests to record audio diaries for the episode. "We were curious to hear what they’d reflect on when they had a moment to themselves...without navigating the sometimes awkward dance of a video chat," says Harry. "Meaning, no one having to say 'you’re on mute' over and over again. Which is probably one of the defining phrases of 2020."

Stacey Abrams, whose work registering voters and fighting voter suppression made an enormous difference in the state of Georgia this year, describes herself as a "democracy advocate, dabbler in politics and progressive policy," in the podcast. She speaks of her year both at home and on the frontlines of progress. "I gave myself permission to watch all the television I wanted, to read when I should have been working and to make mistakes, but most of all, I gave myself permission to be sad, so I could find joy on the other side," she says.

"I love the state of Georgia and this year was a year when that love was tested. Where the darkest moments like the murders of Ahmaud Arbery of Glynn County and Rayshard Brooks of Atlanta, they were met with silence and sometimes with anger. But they were also met with the persistence of young voices who were in the streets demanding change. But they also demanded change at the ballot box. That's something I'd always hoped for, for Georgia. But to know that it was real, to see it in action, was just transformative."

Sir Elton John talks about being on the road during the beginnings of lockdown in the UK earlier this year. "Well, we were in the middle of a tour and then COVID started and we came back to England in May. And it was very strange because we were going full pelt and then all of a sudden we ground to a halt," he says. "I'm 73 years old and I'm a semi diabetic, so I'm in a risky area there. I have an underlying condition, as they say."

The music legend took a moment to reflect on how important video calling platforms like Zoom have been during the pandemic, and not just for calling family. "You know, I'm a recovering alcoholic, so I have an AA meeting from this house every Sunday. I connect with my friends who I've known for about 30 years in the program, and that's great. And if it hadn't been for Zoom, I don't know what I'd have done, I really don't — without Zoom, it's been, it's been a lifesaver."

The Duke and Duchess finish the podcast off by raising "a toast to the year ahead. A toast to our hopes for the future. A toast to all of us," and it's a genuinely moving collection of statements from each guest. Plus, there's a tiny little cameo from their son, Archie.

You can listen to the full podcast on Spotify.