Althorp photograph
In one of the 12 images shared with her 4.7 million Instagram followers, five-year-old Lilibet is seen walking through Althorp's tree-lined gardens while Harry and seven-year-old Archie walk ahead carrying bouquets of flowers. The vast Northamptonshire estate is where Harry's late mother, Princess Diana, is buried.
The photo album, set to Cliff Richard's 'Summer Holiday', was shared after details of the trip had been kept firmly under wraps. Security concerns were cited as the reason Meghan and the children did not travel to London during Harry's visit.
Holiday snaps
Other images show the Sussexes in swimwear at the beach, Harry throwing Lilibet into the air as they play in a swimming pool, and enjoying time in Portugal before heading to the UK. It has previously been reported that the Sussexes have a holiday home on Portugal's Atlantic coast, close to where Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank spend some of their time. In one photo, Meghan appears to share an image of the front of fish restaurant O Melidense in Melidese, in the Alentejo region.
Another image shows Meghan on a sun lounger beside a pool, with a man and woman in the background who bear a striking resemblance to Harry's uncle Charles and his new wife, Cat Jarman. In another snap, Archie sits in the cockpit of a plane wearing a pilot's hat, surrounded by three staff members as he is shown the controls.
Expert reaction
Royal expert Jennie Bond told the Mirror the Althorp photo was a reminder of the family's connection to Diana and the wider Royal Family. She said: “I think it shows that she wants the world to remember that her children are part of the royal family. I think she’s proud of her connection to the royal family – hence her continued use of her title of Duchess and their decision to use their children’s titles.
She added: “I’m rather confused by Meghan’s decision to post such private pictures. Of course she’s perfectly entitled to do just as she pleases, but it seems strange to me when the family is so desperate for privacy. I’m sure it meant a huge amount to Harry to be able to show the children his mother's childhood home as well as her burial place.
“It was a very important moment in their lives, and I’m glad they were able to be there. I’m just not sure why the rest of us should have been included in that very personal visit.”
Privacy
None of the photographs shows Archie or Lilibet's faces, a move by Harry and Meghan to protect their children's privacy. In all of the photos Meghan has shared on social media of her children, she does not show their faces.
Jennie added: “As for the rest of the holiday pictures – they were all very charming although shrouded in the usual mystery of where they were and what the children really look like.
“I still don’t quite understand why Meghan includes the children in so many posts when they are so concerned about privacy, security and the dangers of the digital world.
“William and Catherine issue pictures of their children at milestones in their lives, such as birthdays or first days at school because there is a genuine public and historical interest in the future King, George, and his siblings. The same is not true of Archie and Lilibet. But it’s lovely to see them.”
Highgrove reunion
The string of pictures did not contain any photos of the Sussexes' family reunion with the King and Queen at Highgrove three weeks ago. Harry and Meghan took their children to see their grandfather at his country retreat for the first time in four years earlier this month, after the Duke previously said his security arrangements in the UK made it too dangerous to bring his family to his home country.
The children had last seen their grandfather on their previous visit to the UK for the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. Harry had planned to bring his family to the UK while he undertook a week-long series of events promoting charities and organisations close to his heart, including the Invictus Games he founded.
Security issues prevented Meghan and the children from travelling with him to London, but it appears concerns over safety were mitigated to allow the visit to Highgrove, as well as Althorp, to take place later in the week.
