The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have found themselves at the centre of a fresh controversy after posting a photograph of their daughter, Princess Lilibet, on social media. The image, shared via Instagram over the weekend, depicts Prince Harry holding their four-year-old daughter, who is dressed in a pink ensemble and clutching a bouquet of balloons, with Harry beaming at her.
Accusations of Hypocrisy Emerge
This public sharing has sparked significant backlash from social media users and commentators, who have labelled the couple as hypocritical. Critics point to the Sussexes' longstanding and vocal advocacy for enhanced online safeguarding and privacy protections, particularly for children. Prince Harry recently engaged in a High Court battle over alleged media intrusion into his private life, underscoring his commitment to privacy rights.
Contrast with Advocacy Efforts
Just this month, Meghan Markle publicly praised the Jools' Law campaign, which advocates for stricter online safety measures following a teenager's tragic death. The UK Government has since announced proposed amendments to children's social media data storage regulations within the Crime and Policing Bill, a move the couple has commended. However, this context has intensified the criticism, with many arguing that posting their child's image contradicts their stated principles.
One social media user remarked, "Well that didn't take long did it? Showing the kids faces now. So after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moaned on and on about leaving the royal family for 'privacy' wanting to give their kids freedom. They saddle them down with Prince and Princess titles even though they live in America." Another added, "The hypocrisy is strong with this one."
Pattern of Polarised Responses
Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020 and relocating to California, Harry and Meghan have frequently emphasised their desire for greater privacy and control over their family life. They have typically avoided showing their children's faces publicly, with royal journalist Matt Wilkinson noting, "My understanding of this or up to a certain stage is that Harry would much rather his children were not seen."
Nevertheless, any public post involving their son Archie or daughter Lilibet tends to attract intense scrutiny and often polarised reactions. A further comment on the recent photo questioned, "How come that over the months they have gone down to just one child, a girl, I thought they had a boy as well, is he not photogenic enough?" highlighting the divisive nature of such disclosures.
Broader Implications for Online Safeguarding
The row underscores the complex interplay between celebrity, privacy advocacy, and social media use. While the Sussexes' support for legislative changes to protect children online has been widely acknowledged, their personal actions have now ignited a debate about consistency and the challenges of navigating public and private boundaries in the digital age. This incident may prompt broader discussions about the responsibilities of public figures in modelling the online behaviours they champion.
