Prince Harry has long expressed his disdain for growing up under the constant scrutiny of the royal spotlight. However, a royal expert suggests that avoiding the same exposure for his own children may prove difficult—especially considering recent actions by his wife, Meghan Markle.

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, recently announced the launch of As Ever, a new business focused on food, gardening, and entertaining. The website, which currently only links to an Instagram page and a subscription option, features a full-screen image of Meghan running barefoot through a field with their daughter, Princess Lilibet.

Royal expert Duncan Larcombe told OK! that the choice to include Lilibet in this way—despite not showing her face—may have caught many royal watchers off guard and could be a point of concern for Harry.

“Given Harry’s views on publicity, fans were probably surprised to see Lilibet again so soon,” he said. “If Harry had his way, his children would never be seen as public figures, because he struggled with that his whole life. But Meghan is building a brand, and that naturally conflicts with a life away from the spotlight. This could be a growing concern for Harry.”

Larcombe also warned that once the Sussex children are introduced into the public sphere, it will be difficult to reverse. “She’s sharing their children gradually, but once that tap is turned on, it won’t be easy to turn off. As they grow up, especially in Hollywood, they’ll always be under public scrutiny. Royal status doesn’t fade—it follows them for life.”

Harry’s Longstanding Fears About Public Exposure

Harry, 40, has spoken openly about his concerns for his family’s privacy. Reflecting on his own childhood, he has described the intense media attention his mother, Princess Diana, endured until her tragic death in 1997. Speaking on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, he emphasized his determination to “break the cycle” of inherited pain.

“I don’t think we should blame anyone, but when it comes to parenting, if I’ve experienced suffering because of how I was raised, I want to ensure that cycle stops with me,” he said.

Since their births in 2019 and 2021, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, have been seen in public only occasionally. However, these glimpses have become more frequent. Their 2023 Christmas card showed them walking into their parents’ arms, photographed from behind, and Meghan also featured them in a video tribute to her late rescue dog, ensuring their faces remained unseen.

The Dilemma of Royal Titles and Public Exposure

According to Larcombe, Harry and Meghan are likely well aware of the intense public interest surrounding their children, especially given their royal titles. “There’s probably some truth to the idea that Harry and Meghan don’t fully agree on this,” he noted. “Meghan appears to be slowly introducing their children to the public, perhaps recognizing that as a Prince and Princess, they will always have a level of exposure—whether they like it or not.”

Archie and Lilibet did not hold royal titles at birth, as they were not grandchildren of the reigning monarch at the time. However, when King Charles III ascended the throne in September 2022, they became eligible. Their titles were officially recognized on the royal family’s website about six months later.

Despite this, Larcombe pointed out that not all royals use their titles publicly. “Princess Anne chose not to give her children, Peter and Zara, the titles of Prince and Princess, yet they are still royal figures. Their profiles are lower, but they remain visible at major events.”

For Harry, the challenge remains in balancing his desire for privacy with the reality of his children’s royal status. “He struggles with the fact that, to some extent, his kids are public figures because of their titles. They named their daughter after the Queen and continue to use Prince and Princess. The reality is, as royal children, they will always be in the public eye. Keeping them completely out of the limelight may be nearly impossible.”