Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have embraced a much different lifestyle since moving to the United States, particularly when it comes to raising their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. In America, they aim to shield their children from public scrutiny and the relentless pursuit of paparazzi that often accompanies royal life. Nonetheless, Meghan has chosen to start sharing more pictures of her children, but without revealing their faces. A recent image featuring Lilibet with Harry has sparked a significant reaction, leaving many fans upset and questioning whether the Duke and Duchess have crossed a legal boundary.
Both Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have lived lives far removed from the royal spotlight. Neither child has been seen publicly with their parents, and they unfortunately have not developed any relationships with their family members across the pond.
Archie was just a toddler when Harry and Meghan made the decision to part ways with the UK and their royal responsibilities. As for Lilibet, she was born in the United States. Although Archie did have the opportunity to meet his grandfather, King Charles, along with Uncle Prince William and his young cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, the encounters did not lead to a sustained bond.
Various royal specialists have been vocal in their criticism of Harry and Meghan, lamenting the fact that their children may be missing valuable opportunities to engage with their UK-based relatives. Last summer, even Meghan’s own father, Thomas Markle, publicly criticized his daughter and son-in-law, accusing them of depriving their children of a chance to know their royal kin.
“They are reaching an age where they will inevitably start asking questions, as all children do,” Markle remarked to New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, quoting The Sun.
“I can’t help but wonder how Archie and Lilibet will feel as they grow up, realizing what they’ve missed out on,” he added.
Life Away from the Spotlight
Growing up, Archie and Lilibet are likely to experience a life of comfort and privilege. However, they will also eventually become cognizant of the tensions between their parents and the Royal Family. According to a source close to the Sussexes who spoke with Us Weekly, Harry and Meghan plan to introduce their children to the complexities of their royal lineage “when the time is right.” For now, traveling to the UK to meet royal relatives has been deemed unsuitable.
One stark contrast between Prince Harry and Meghan’s kids and their royal cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, is that the latter group has always been in the public eye. Sadly, they have had little to no interaction with Archie and Lilibet. Royal author Phil Dampier shared with The Sun that this disconnect is “very unfortunate.”
“It appears George, Charlotte, and Louis have never even met Archie and Lilibet,” Dampier observed, further mentioning that even during occasions when the cousins could have interacted, it didn’t happen.
“Although they were reportedly invited to Lilibet’s first birthday celebration at Frogmore Cottage, they didn’t attend,” Dampier relayed. “In some ways, it’s as though the children of Zara and Mike Tindall have taken the roles of closest cousins to George, Charlotte, and Louis.”
Dampier concluded, “It’s something Archie and Lilibet are missing out on. In the future, as they mature, they may question their parents about their separation from royal family ties.”
So, what prevents Prince Harry and Meghan from traveling with their children to the UK to meet extended family? The couple’s concerns about security and safety remain, as they no longer have access to publicly funded royal security measures.
Safety Concerns
This coming April, Harry plans to challenge a High Court ruling upholding the removal of publicly funded security for him and his family.
“Harry wants to ensure his family’s safety while visiting the UK. This would allow his children to familiarize themselves with his home country and allow him to continue his patronage work,” a friend close to the Duke and Duchess shared with Us Weekly.
Adding to the strained familial dynamics, Archie and Lilibet’s relationship with their grandfather, King Charles, remains distant. Reports suggest that the king is heartbroken about the situation, as he has not had the chance to see his grandchildren from across the Atlantic in years.
“While he regrets not having a closer relationship with his grandchildren in America, the distance provides some peace of mind—it allows for a sense of detachment along with Harry,” a source informed the Daily Mail. Whether Archie and Lilibet develop a meaningful relationship with King Charles will largely depend on whether Harry and Meghan find a way to ensure security or develop trust in the existing measures.
Shared Interests
If and when Charles does get the opportunity to spend time with Archie and Lilibet, they may discover a mutual hobby to bond over. According to Meghan Markle on her new Netflix lifestyle and cooking show “With Love, Meghan,” the children have cultivated a keen interest in gardening, much like their grandfather.
Meghan explained that they “take their gardening very seriously,” and have their own sets of gardening tools. Archie and Lilibet spend enjoyable outings outdoors, just as King Charles did growing up. Moreover, Meghan revealed that Lilibet has developed a fondness for helping in the kitchen.
“Lili and I actually whipped up this batch together,” Meghan said while spooning strawberry jam into cups. “She helped pick the strawberries and insisted on stirring.”
King Charles has often talked about his enthusiasm for gardening. Many years ago, he was responsible for developing the Highgrove garden and continues to nurture a deep love for horticulture.
“Don’t rush into it. Take your time to identify what you enjoy, and then commit to it. For me, gardening provides immeasurable therapeutic benefits. It’s truly rewarding, though occasionally maddening,” King Charles once shared in a discussion about tending gardens.
The monarch also advocates for the preservation of natural lands.
“We’re losing many precious landscapes. One prime example is our country’s wildflower meadows, most of which have vanished. I abhorred it during the extensive plowing phase in the ’60s and ’70s. Eventually, people began to realize the damage and faced an uphill battle to conserve what remained,” he said.
Photo Sparks Controversy
Despite the general aversion to oversharing images of their kids on social media, Prince Harry and Meghan have been more open recently. They released a family picture card for Christmas, strategically ensuring their children’s faces remained hidden. Now, as Meghan embarks on her new Netflix venture, recent photos have made their way to the public. On Instagram, a photo surfaced showing three-year-old Lilibet sharing a tender moment with Harry in a boat, where he lovingly kissed her head.
In the image, Lilibet wore a pink shirt and flowery leggings, while Harry was dressed casually in shorts, a t-shirt, sunglasses, and a cap.
While many found this father-daughter snapshot heartwarming, others expressed concern, noting that Lilibet was not wearing a lifejacket. This lapse ignited criticism, with the public reprimanding the Duke and Duchess for what they viewed as “negligent” behavior.
One commentator wrote, “Isn’t it legally required for kids to wear lifejackets? This is quite careless,” as reported by Sky News.
Another individual, coming from a family with deep roots in the boating world, chimed in, “For generations, we’ve known that safety is non-negotiable—things can go wrong in an instant.”
“Irresponsible parents didn’t think to put a lifejacket on their child,” declared a third commentator.
Legal Implications?
The location and context of the photograph remain unclear. However, Sky News points out that Californian regulations mandate that children under 13 wear a Coast Guard-certified life jacket when on a moving recreational vessel, barring exceptions like a fully enclosed cabin or harness use on a sailboat. Fines for non-compliance can reach up to $250.
Some speculate that the photo might have been digitally manipulated, further fueling debate.
“Something’s off. In the yellow circle, you see Harry’s left hand, yet the green circle shows two more hands,” a social media user commented.
In spite of the backlash, some have come to Harry and Meghan’s defense.
“While safety matters, it’s crucial to remember that no family moment is flawless,” someone noted. “Focus on the children’s overall welfare instead of nitpicking a single incident.” Others simply dismissed the criticism as overblown.
What are your thoughts about Princess Lilibet’s latest photo? Feel free to discuss and share your opinions with your friends and family!
