Royal commentator Richard Eden has launched a scathing critique of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, accusing them of blatant hypocrisy. He claims Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are exploiting their own children, Archie and Lilibet, on social media for public relations gain, while simultaneously decrying media intrusion into their family's privacy.
The Heart of the Controversy
In a recent video segment, Eden dissected the couple's approach to shielding their young family from the public eye. He pointed to a fundamental contradiction in their actions. The couple have frequently cited intense media scrutiny and a lack of privacy as primary reasons for their dramatic exit from royal duties in 2020, a move they famously dubbed 'Megxit'.
However, Eden argues their current strategy tells a different story. He highlights that the Sussexes have carefully controlled and released selected images and details about their children through their own commercial channels and public appearances. This, he suggests, is a calculated form of exposure, contrasting sharply with their stated desire for a private life away from the spotlight.
Exploitation Versus Protection
The crux of Eden's argument centres on the use of Archie, aged five, and Lilibet, who turns three in June. He contends that by featuring the children in their Netflix documentary series and on their Archewell Foundation website, the couple are actively leveraging their offspring's images to shape their global brand and narrative.
This controlled exposure, Eden asserts, is a form of exploitation, as it utilises the children's likenesses to garner public sympathy and maintain relevance. He contrasts this with the traditional royal model, where official photographs are released through the palace at key milestones, suggesting the Sussexes' method is more commercially driven than protective.
A Pattern of Contradictory Actions
Eden's critique extends to the couple's broader media strategy. He recalls Prince Harry's vigorous legal battles against British tabloids, arguing they invaded his family's privacy. Yet, the commentator notes, Harry and Meghan then proceeded to grant a major television interview to Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, discussing deeply personal family matters before a global audience of millions.
Furthermore, their multi-million dollar deals with streaming giants Netflix and Spotify required them to share personal stories and insights into their lives as working royals. Eden views this as trading on their royal status and family connections for financial gain, all while criticising others for invading the very privacy they are commodifying.
The commentator's analysis presents a stark picture of a couple caught between two worlds. On one hand, they demand absolute privacy and condemn the media machine. On the other, they selectively deploy images and narratives about their children to cultivate their public image and support their independent commercial ventures. This duality, according to Richard Eden, is the very definition of hypocrisy, leaving the public to question where the line between protection and promotion truly lies for Archie and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor.
