​Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, recently found herself at the center of online criticism after sharing a photograph of her 3-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet, on a boat without a life vest.

The image, part of a series celebrating International Women's Day, showcased Prince Harry holding Lilibet while on a boat, with water visible in the background. ​

Social media users quickly voiced their concerns over the apparent lack of safety precautions. One user commented, "Prince Harry & Meghan Markle are so good at showing the world how much they suck at being parents What f****ng moron doesn’t put their child in a safety vest while boating."

Another added, "Family has been in the boating industry for four generations; a very big no no! Things happen in a blink of an eye." ​

The backlash highlights the scrutiny public figures face regarding their parenting choices, especially when safety is perceived to be compromised. Boating safety experts emphasize the importance of life jackets for children.

The U.S. Coast Guard advises that all children under 13 should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on a moving vessel. This recommendation aims to prevent drowning incidents, which remain a leading cause of accidental death among young children.​

In addition to the boating photo, Markle's post included other personal images: a recent one with her mother, Doria Ragland; a snapshot of her and Prince Harry on a beach; and a black-and-white childhood photo with her mother.

She captioned the collection, "Celebrating the strong women around us & the girls with dreams who will become women with vision. Also thanking those who uplift us every day." ​

This incident isn't the first time the Sussexes have faced public scrutiny over their parenting decisions. Their high-profile status often subjects them to heightened public attention, with supporters and critics alike weighing in on their choices.​

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Beyond the recent controversy, Meghan Markle has been in the news for her Netflix lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan.

The series, which features Markle sharing recipes and hosting tips alongside celebrity guests, was recently renewed for a second season despite receiving mixed reviews. Some critics described the show as "cringey" and lacking authenticity.

British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard commented, "Meghan seems eager to play the altruistic, kind soul, but it is a tad smarmy. My toes are curling.… This is so cringey and not fun at all. It feels too staged, and the tips and tricks are far too basic… Meghan comes across as a modern Stepford Wife." ​

The show's format has also drawn comparisons to Pamela Anderson's cooking show on the Flavor Network, leading to discussions about originality and content overlap.

Despite the critiques, Markle announced the show's renewal on Instagram, expressing excitement for the upcoming season and gratitude towards her team and viewers. ​

The convergence of personal and professional challenges underscores the complexities public figures like Meghan Markle navigate.

Balancing public expectations with personal choices remains a delicate endeavor, especially when actions are magnified on global platforms.

Featured image credit: Astrida Valigorsky/Getty

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's latest family outing has sparked an online debate about their parenting style.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were recently seen spending quality time with their children, Archie and Lilibet, at a pumpkin patch in Montecito, California.

The video, shared on Meghan's Instagram on October 26, captured moments of Archie, seven, running through a cornfield, Lilibet, four, riding in a wagon filled with pumpkins, and the couple working together, with Meghan wheeling a wheelbarrow alongside Harry.

However, despite the heartwarming nature of the video, the Sussexes quickly came under fire for an aspect of their family’s appearance.

People comment on the Sussexes' parenting style

Some online critics took issue with how the family dressed, particularly the children, who seemed to be wearing outfits that appeared more suited for warmer weather, while the parents were bundled up in coats, hoodies, and boots.

One commenter expressed their confusion, saying: “Why are they all dressed like it is winter? It was 76°F in Montecito when they took this video. Funny how it is a PUBLIC pumpkin patch on a weekend, days before Halloween, Friday, yet they are the only ones there!”

Another comment raised concerns about the children's attire: “Strange that both parents are dressed warmly w/coat, boots, hoodie & both children are dressed for much warmer weather – bare arms & summer outfit…."

Meghan and Prince Harry have shared a rare glimpse into their family life. Credit: Instagram/@meghan

Despite the criticism, fans of the couple quickly rushed to their defense. "The boy has on a jacket in the first photo, and the daughter has long sleeves in one picture. Not sure how you missed that,” one user pointed out.

Others were more direct in their response, with one saying: "Untruth, please be kind."

But beyond the fashion choices, the Sussexes’ fans seemed to feel that the family’s outing was simply a normal, wholesome activity — a sentiment echoed by one fan who noted: "Two public figures at a pumpkin patch with their kids is literally the most normal thing for People Magazine to show in October."

Meghan and Harry Share Rare Glimpse of Archie and Lilibet

This video was significant for several reasons, not just because it was an adorable family moment but also because it marked the first time the faces of both Archie and Lilibet were seen publicly in a while.

Although the footage was blurry and fast-paced, it was the first public view of Lilibet’s face since her birthday portrait in 2022, and Archie’s face hadn't been seen since the family’s 2021 Christmas card.

Prince Harry stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and moved to USA with Meghan Markle. Credit: Kevin Mazur / Getty

Fans immediately noticed the rare glimpse. One person remarked: “While Daddy was carving a pumpkin, the kids were playing around.”

Another commented: “The video was so fast I didn’t even notice them!”

Prior to this, Meghan had been quite careful about preserving the privacy of her children. She had only shared the back of their heads in previous posts, especially as she returned to social media in early 2025.

Protecting Their Children From the Spotlight

Despite opening a window into their family life, Meghan and Harry have long been vocal about the importance of protecting their children from the pressures of public life.

In interviews, Meghan has discussed the challenges of raising children in the digital age, particularly when it comes to the potential harms children face online.

During a conversation with CBS, Meghan previously emphasized how she and Harry prioritize their children’s well-being, stating: “Our kids are young. They're three and five. They're amazing. But all you want to do as parents is protect them."

Prince Harry and Meghan keen their family life private. Credit: WPA Pool / Getty

She also spoke about their initiative, The Parents’ Network, which is designed to provide a safe space for families dealing with the complexities of the digital world.

Prince Harry, who has also been open about his experiences with parenting, reflected on the difficulties parents face in identifying signs of online harm.

He said: “At this point, we’ve got to the stage where almost every parent needs to be a first responder. And even the best first responders in the world wouldn’t be able to tell the signs of possible suicide."

Featured image credit: Pool / Getty

Fans have lashed out at critics of Prince Harry and Megan Markle after The Duchess of Sussex revealed their family’s nickname for the prince in a post on Instagram.

On Sunday, March 8, Megan, 44, uploaded a heart-warming tribute to her daughter to mark International Women’s day.

The picture showed the Princess and Duchess sitting together cuddled up on a beach in the sun looking out at the water.

Megan credited the photograph of herself and four-year-old Princess Lilibet to her husband but, used an endearing nickname that angered people online.

The caption on her post said: “for the woman she will be one day… Happy International Women’s day” and credited the photograph to “Papa Sussex”.

Critics flocked to the comments section to express their outrage at the pet name.

One social media user said: "Papa Sussex? They really know how to be cloying and insufferable. Meghan pushing the use of Sussex again".

Another chimed in with: Can this woman stop with the cheap teases?? 'Papa Sussex'?? They’re both jokers!"

Someone else seethed: "I wonder why she has to refer to her husband as Papa Sussex when taking photos of their children. Why not say that he’s daddy?

"Will the children call their father their papa Sussex?"

However, just as quickly fans jumped in to defend the Royals.

One fan explained "They call him Papa, just like many British kids do. Adding the Sussex at the end is to distinguish Harry from Papa, his dad, King Charles, because Harry calls his dad Papa.

"It’s no different than when we refer to our parents as Grandad (Paternal last name) and Grandad (maternal last name). It was done for the photo caption. The kids call him Papa."

Another recommended haters avoid the family’s content, saying: "Here's an idea: if you dislike these two so much, skip over every story that mentions them.

“Because it makes too much sense and sounds like you have some degree of emotional regulation?"

Since Megan and Harry stepped down from senior royal duties in 2020, before the birth of their daughter the following year, there has been huge discourse online over their royal titles and surname.

In an episode of her Netflix show With Love, Megan, she explained that the family has used the name Sussex since the couple got married so that they all share a name.

‘I share my name with my children. I didn’t know how meaningful that would be to me, but it just means so much to go, ‘This is our family name, our little family name’,” she told Mindy Kaling.

If you think your family has drama, then you should try life as a royal. Seriously; there's no group of people whose personal lives are more closely scrutinised than those of the royals, and their relationships are endlessly picked apart by the public and the media. It's extra difficult for them because the royals have to constantly appear unflappable and perfect at all times, and can't be seen to hold political opinions of their own. For many people, the idea of getting the chance to marry Prince Harry would seem like a dream come true. But I can't help but wonder how Meghan Markle is actually coping with the reality of being a member of the House of Windsor, especially when her relationship with her father and half sister is so ... strained.

For those who missed out on the drama, allow me to provide a recap. Meghan Markle's father Thomas Markle provoked a lot of controversy when it emerged that he had staged a number of photographs for the paparazzi. Meghan's half-sister Samantha defended him and claimed that it was her idea, stating that her father wanted "to show the world that [he's] getting in shape and doing great healthy things." Not only this, but Markle's ailing health meant that he was not available to walk Meghan down the aisle during her wedding ceremony, and since then Thomas Markle has been vocal in his condemnation of the Windsors.

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Now Samantha has come forward to criticise Meghan even more, and has called her a "greedy, arrogant, fake humanitarian," who has treated their father "inhumanely." In a recent interview, Samantha didn't care to mince words, and stated: "There would be no just reason for her not to want him in her life, as he was good enough to use to make her everything she is."

Meghan's brother Thomas Jr was also quick to criticise her, stating: "It's heartbreaki... (truncated for brevity)"

It has not been an easy month for Meghan Markle.

On January 8, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed their intentions to step down from their positions as senior Royals in order to spend more time residing in North America and focusing on becoming financially independent.

As a result of the announcement, the couple has become a target of criticism in the press, with UK broadcaster Piers Morgan labeling Meghan as a "ruthless social climber' who has spent her life "using people, moving on and ditching them".

Piers Morgan calls Harry and Meghan 'spoiled brats':

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But just when you thought the negative press coverage, leaked messages, and job offers from adult websites would be as bad as it gets, social media users are now criticizing Meghan's parenting after pictures of her emerged of the former Suits star carrying baby Archie "awkwardly".

The photographs were snapped as Meghan, 38, enjoyed a hike with her two dogs. But while walking through the woods situated near the couple's oceanfront home on Canada's Vancouver Island, many people on Twitter weren't impressed with how she was carrying eight-month-old Archie.

Twitter user Lisa Swinny writes: "Poor baby Archie. Looks like he's [holding] on for dear life! I know he’s strapped in, but I’ve never seen a baby just dangling like that...."

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And Twitter user Karen Rossiter typed: "Someone please show Meghan Markle how to put poor Archie in the baby carrier - she has no idea".

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And Mia Lennon writes: "The right hand strap is falling off her shoulder. Archie is NOT strapped in securely. Unsafe. Someone please teach her before an accident happens."

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Despite the criticism, Meghan appeared happy with a beaming smile on her face.

Earlier this month, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a statement to the public expressing their wish for "geographic balance" and more time to launch their "new charitable entity".

Their full statement read:

"After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.

"We intend to step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.

"It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.

"We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to the Queen, the Commonwealth and our patronages.

"This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.

"We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties.

"Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support."

Since their original announcement, the Queen has released a statement saying that she is "entirely supportive" of Harry and Meghan's desire for a new life, but "would have preferred" for them to keep their current roles.

Buckingham Palace has also revealed that Meghan and Harry will lose their HRH titles and royal funding from spring.