When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020, one of their stated goals was to raise their children—Archie and Lilibet—away from the intense media spotlight. For years, they were notably private about their family life, rarely sharing photos of their children with the public.
But now, things appear to be changing. Meghan recently posted a heartfelt video for Father’s Day showing Prince Harry with their kids, and some royal commentators aren’t too pleased.
A Shift in Strategy?
For much of their post-royal life, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have spoken out about the importance of protecting their children’s privacy, particularly online. Their Netflix documentary was one of the first times fans saw Archie and Lilibet’s faces clearly, and even then, their screen time was limited.
That’s why Meghan’s recent posts—featuring both children’s faces—have raised eyebrows.
In a candid moment on her Confessions of a Female Founder podcast, Meghan spoke about online safety and the challenges of parenting in the digital age. “All you want to do as parents is protect [your kids],” she said, expressing concern over how easily children can be exposed to harmful content online.
Prince Harry echoed her worries, pointing out that children today can get lost in the online world—even when they’re just in the next room. He warned about the dark paths young minds might stumble upon in the digital space, describing the risks as far more serious than what past generations faced.
Royal Commentator Calls Out ‘Mixed Messages’
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Despite the couple’s strong public stance on digital safety and privacy, some observers believe their actions are inconsistent with their words. One prominent voice, Ingrid Seward—Editor-in-Chief of Majesty Magazine—called Meghan’s latest post “hypocritical” in an interview with The Sun.
“They begged for privacy, and now suddenly Meghan is flooding the marketplace with photographs of their children,” Seward stated. She added that while the Father’s Day video was “actually charming,” it contradicts the couple’s earlier decisions to keep their family life private.
Seward suggested that the increased visibility of their children could be a strategic move to maintain relevance and public interest. “Everything they do online is aimed at them being able to make more money—otherwise why on earth would they do it?”
A Difference in Comfort Levels?
The royal expert also questioned whether Prince Harry fully supported the decision to post the video. While she speculated that Meghan wouldn’t have published such personal footage without Harry’s awareness, she hinted that he might not be entirely comfortable with it.
“Harry isn’t really a great self-promoter. Unlike his wife, who is,” Seward remarked, implying that Meghan is more comfortable in the public eye.
The Bigger Conversation: Privacy vs. Public Life
This latest debate once again raises the broader question of how public figures manage their family’s privacy—especially when they’ve chosen to step away from royal responsibilities but remain active in the public sphere.
Is it possible to advocate for privacy while occasionally choosing to share glimpses of personal life? Or do such moments inevitably undermine the message?