Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, known for their firm stance on maintaining their children’s privacy, are now facing scrutiny for seemingly going against that principle—especially when it comes to business ventures.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who share two children—Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4—have long emphasized their desire to protect their children from the spotlight. Since stepping back from royal duties, the couple has limited public exposure of their kids, rarely revealing their faces in photos and avoiding media appearances involving their family.
Shift in Privacy Approach Raises Eyebrows
Despite their well-documented concerns about media intrusion, recent developments have sparked debate about whether the Sussexes are now blurring the lines between privacy and promotion.
According to veteran royal photographer Arthur Edwards, both Prince William and Prince Harry strongly disliked the media attention during their childhoods—something they hoped to shield their own children from.
“They absolutely hated having their pictures taken when they were young,” Edwards recalled, suggesting that this discomfort influenced Harry’s desire to raise his children away from the public gaze.
However, The Sun’s royal editor Matt Wilkinson recently pointed out that Meghan has started featuring Archie and Lilibet in promotional content tied to her lifestyle brand, As Ever. This shift has raised questions about whether the couple’s privacy stance is changing—particularly when commercial interests are involved.
“Commercial Appearances Only” Raises Public Concerns
Royal commentator Bronte Coy echoed these concerns, noting the apparent contradiction in the couple’s actions.
“People respected the decision to keep the children out of the public eye,” Coy said, “but it feels jarring when their appearances align with business promotions.”
She further noted the inconsistency, saying, “It was made to seem like privacy was non-negotiable, but now it’s okay when there’s a commercial angle.”
Arthur Edwards also weighed in with a sarcastic take, saying, “Maybe one day Meghan will produce a calendar of the kids’ faces—that might be another Meghan special,” hinting at the potential for further monetization.
Business Over Privacy?
These revelations come amid reports that Meghan is planning to expand her As Ever brand into new territories, including restaurants and boutique hotels. This growing business ambition may be pushing the couple to rethink their previous boundaries regarding their children’s public presence.
While Meghan and Harry have not directly addressed the criticism, the public and royal watchers remain divided. Some continue to support their evolving journey, while others feel disappointed by what they see as a contradiction in values.
