I have the exact same problem. It seems connected to the "Cleaning up session" part that happens when you load a save (and I am guessing behind the first part of the cutscene).
Maybe it's connected to the item bug mentioned above since I have 3 items with two slots (one is crafted Armour of the eternals that i made after the last patch/hotfix. I don't know how to verify that though since I don't know how to get rid of the items (dropping them or selling them makes no difference).
I am almost 50h in and do not feel like restarting all over again.
