The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are facing fresh accusations of hypocrisy after launching a new social media account featuring images of their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. This move comes just years after the couple fiercely campaigned for privacy and protection from media intrusion for their young family.
A New Platform and Mounting Criticism
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently unveiled their new Instagram profile, @sussexdotcom, which swiftly amassed millions of followers. The account's inaugural post was a stylish, professional video montage that included several brief but prominent shots of their children. This deliberate inclusion has sparked a significant backlash from royal commentators and the public alike.
Prominent diary editor Richard Eden has been particularly vocal, labelling the couple's actions as "exploitative" and "hypocritical." He argues that after spending years criticising the press for invading their family's privacy and even taking legal action against publications, the Sussexes are now willingly putting Archie and Lilibet in the global spotlight on their own terms.
The Privacy Paradox
The core of the controversy lies in the stark contrast between the Sussexes' past statements and their current actions. During their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021 and in Harry's memoir, Spare, the couple detailed their struggles with press attention and their desire to shield their children.
They have initiated numerous lawsuits against British tabloids, citing concerns over privacy and the welfare of Archie and Lilibet. Yet, critics point out that sharing curated images on a platform with an audience of millions constitutes a conscious choice to expose the children, albeit from a controlled source.
This has led to questions about whether their previous demands for privacy were a principle or a preference for controlling the narrative. Eden and others suggest the couple is attempting to have it both ways: leveraging the public's fascination with their children for brand building and relevance while condemning others for the same interest.
Public Reaction and Lasting Repercussions
The public and media reaction has been sharply divided. Supporters of Harry and Meghan see the new account as a positive way for them to share their story directly, without media distortion. They argue the parents have every right to share moments they choose.
However, a substantial portion of commentary views this as a strategic, commercial manoeuvre. The Sussexes' Archewell foundation and their various Netflix and publishing deals are built on their personal brand, of which their children are an undeniable part. Critics allege that using Archie and Lilibet's images is a calculated step to bolster engagement and maintain their lucrative public profile.
This episode is likely to deepen the existing rift between the Sussexes and parts of the British media and public. It fuels the narrative of inconsistency that has dogged them since their step back from royal duties. The incident raises profound questions about the boundaries of privacy in the digital age, especially for children born into fame, and whether parents can ethically be both protectors and promoters of their young family's image.
