2021 Year in Review: Most searched people on Yahoo Canada

Donald Trump may have been banned from many social media platforms but that hasn't stopped him from trending in the Canadian news cycle.

From his refusal to accept the U.S. election results, alleged incitement of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots and subsequent impeachment on those grounds to the launch of his own social media company, former U.S. President Trump has dominated Canadian news this year.

He recently made headlines again when he said he received his COVID-19 booster vaccine dose and encouraged everyone to get theirs. He was booed by his own supporters while those who usually criticize him were quick to say "he's finally done something good."

Canadians' fascination with the Royals has been longstanding. But this year, many of us were focused on the newest Royal to join the ranks.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's interview with Oprah Winfrey blew up worldwide after Markle openly discussed her struggles with mental health and her reasons for wanting to leave the Royal family behind in the U.K.

It also prompted some calls from Canadians to abandon the monarchy altogether.

A survey shows that Meghan Markle has been googled more times than any working Royal.

Canadians' favourite Royal, Meghan Markle was closely followed by her husband Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex in the list of most searched people.

Prince Harry's candid remarks about feeling "trapped" in the Royal family and wanting to leave generated a lot of sympathy in Canada. He was also applauded for supporting and standing by his wife as she dealt with racism from mainstream media outlets in England.

He was in the news for openly criticizing the Royal family for their lack of support and help.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry also topped a few lists for most searched couples of 2021.

If Donald Trump is on the list, then it's a safe assumption that his wife and former First Lady Melania Trump has made news waves as well

Melania Trump was voted among the world's most admired women of 2021, according to a YouGov's annual international poll. She was joined by Michelle Obama, Queen Elizabeth II, Oprah Winfrey and Hillary Clinton on the list.

There has also been a lot of mystery surrounding Melania Trump, who remained out of the spotlight for a large chunk of the year. Speculations surrounding her relationship with Donald Trump and her interest in joining him for a second term have been rife.

She made headlines again after her sudden increase in public appearances, with people discussing everything from her fashion choices to her jewellery.

Tiger Woods is not only one of the most searched athletes on Yahoo Canada, he's also the most googled athlete in the United States in 2021.

Many searches were prompted by his car crash in February. Woods severely injured his tibia and fibula and people were concerned he may not return to the world of golf.

But he made an unbelievable comeback in just nine months and finished second at the PNC Champisonship. Various golf experts maintain that the "Tiger Effect" is still strong.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has largely dominated the Canadian news cycle due to his various decisions surrounding COVID-19 public health restrictions in Ontario. In fact, 'Doug Ford Announcement' was an extremely popular search term on Yahoo Canada this year.

The provincial government and Doug Ford faced a lot of criticism from healthcare experts for lifting restrictions too soon, not rolling out rapid antigen tests quickly and most memorably, for giving police officers the power to question people about why they left their homes during a lockdown (this was retracted a day later).

Ivanka Trump has been at the top of most searched lists since 2016, when her father Donald Trump announced his intention to run for the highest office in the United States. He may not be President anymore but this year was no different.

She has been in the news along with her husband Jared Kushner for various reasons, from speculations about their wealth to their role in various Trump companies. People have also been curious about how they're settling into their regular life after their stint at the White House.

Claims surrounding Ivanka's interest in running for office against her father as a Democrat also stoked the world's curiosity but the claims were later debunked.

Gabby Petitio's disappearance and subsequent death gripped the world this year.

After Petito disappeared while on a trip with fiancé Brian Laundrie, many suspected he had something to do with it. Laundrie also went missing soon after, fuelling Canadians' interest in the case.

Petito's body was eventually recovered and her death was ruled a homicide.

Laundrie was later found dead with a gunshot wound to his head and authorities said he committed suicide. Theories, speculations and stories surrounding both deaths are still being widely searched and talked about in Canada.

Britney is free.

2021 might be remembered as the second year of COVID-19 but it will also be remembered as the year Britney Spears was finally freed from the conservatorship that ruled her life for years.

The #FreeBritney movement finally came to a head and the entire world tuned in as Spears delivered a moving testimony about her life and lack of freedom under her father's strict rule. She has been trending on social media this entire year and her Instagram account has gained a lot of attention.

Prince Philip, Duke Of Edinburgh and late husband of Queen Elizabeth, died earlier this year at the age of 99.

His age, cause of death, funeral, memorial services, reactions of the Royal family and speeches from the Queen dominated the news cycle in 2021.