16 Headlines We Never Expected In 2021

1 / 18

16 Headlines We Never Expected In 2021

In 2021, there were once again some shocking headlines we didn't expect. From tragic deaths to celebrity hookups, and even some major scandals, many big news stories have occurred over the past several months.

A major death rocked the royal family, and several pop stars reclaimed their autonomy in various ways. The year also saw the passing of a theatre legend. Click through the slides to see some of the 2021 headlines that no one saw coming!

2 / 18

Prince Philip's Death

Prince Philip died on April 9, 2021 at the age of 99. For more than 70 years, he was Queen Elizabeth II's husband, providing great support for the monarch of England. The royal funeral took place on April 17, 2021.

3 / 18

There was a letter from the Queen on Prince Philip's coffin

Prince Philip's Death

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, only 30 guests were allowed to attend Prince Philip's funeral. Among the invited guests were the queen and Philip's four children — Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward — as well as their partners. Their eight grandchildren — William, Harry, Beatrice, Eugenie, Zara, Louise, James, and Peter — also took part along with their spouses. However, Harry's wife Duchess Meghan did not attend because she was pregnant at the time.

4 / 18

Sarah Harding Passes Away

We also had to lament the death of Sarah Harding in 2021. The Girls Aloud singer died of cancer on September 5, at only 39 years old.

5 / 18

James Michael Tyler Passes Away

James Michael Tyler also died, succumbing to stage 4 prostate cancer in October 2021. He was best known for his role as "Gunther" on Friends.

6 / 18

Willie Garson Passes Away

On September 21, 2021 we had to say goodbye to Sex and the City star Willie Garson. The actor who played "Stanford" was only 57 years old, with his cause of death also said to have been pancreatic cancer.

7 / 18

Stephen Sondheim participates in a discussion with Adam Gopnik during the New Yorker Festival, October 10, 2014.

Stephen Sondheim Passes Away

Stephen Sondheim, the legendary Broadway composer and lyricist, passed away on November 26, 2021. His death was mourned by those in the theatre community around the world, with a special vigil held in New York City paying tribute to him.

8 / 18

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan have a conversation with Oprah

Harry and Meghan's Oprah Interview

Another event no one saw coming in 2021 was Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's conversation with Oprah Winfrey. The two royals sat down with the talk show host for a televised interview and dropped some major bombshells. There were even accusations raised of racism within the British royal family, which shocked the whole world.

9 / 18

Chris Harrison Exits 'The Bachelor'

Chris Harrison found himself in hot water after excusing a Bachelor contestant's past racism earlier this year. In June 2021, the television personality announced his decision to step down from hosting the reality television franchise, saying that he's "excited to start a new chapter."

10 / 18

Britney Spears

Months after the "#FreeBritney" movement gained traction, Britney Spears scored a major legal win! November 12, 2021 marked the day that the court declared Spears' years-long conservatorship was to be immediately terminated. Now, the star has the freedom to make her own decisions without prior approval— including financial ones.