Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s life in the United States is vastly different from their previous existence in the UK.
One of the biggest changes is that they can raise their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, away from the relentless media attention and the pressures that come with being part of the Royal Family.
However, in recent times, Meghan has chosen to share more glimpses of their children—though without revealing their faces. Now, a newly released photo of Lilibet and Harry has sparked controversy, leaving many fans outraged. Are the Duke and Duchess violating the law?
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Criticized Over New Photo of Lilibet
Throughout their lives, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have remained largely out of the public eye. Neither child has made a public appearance with their parents, and unfortunately, they have no real relationship with their royal relatives.
Archie was just a year old when Harry and Meghan stepped away from royal life and moved to the U.S., while Lilibet was born there. Though Archie has met his grandfather, King Charles, his uncle, Prince William, and his cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, their relationship has not been given much attention.
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle are so good at showing the world how much they suck at being parents
What fucking moron doesn’t put their child in a safety vest while boating
This is a LEGAL requirement for all when boating pic.twitter.com/b95E8td0Yy
— MeghansMole©️ (@MeghansMole) March 8, 2025
Several royal experts have criticized Harry and Meghan for keeping their children from forming bonds with their UK-based relatives. Last summer, Meghan’s estranged father, Thomas Markle, openly criticized the couple, claiming they were depriving their children of the chance to connect with their royal heritage.
“They are getting to the age where they will start to ask questions, as all kids do,” Markle told New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, as reported by The Sun.
“I find myself wondering how Archie and Lilibet will feel in a few years’ time when they realize all the things they have missed out on,” he added.
Backlash Over Lilibet’s Lifejacket
As mentioned, Harry and Meghan have been selective about sharing images of their children on social media. Even their Christmas card featured a photo of the family without revealing their faces. However, with Meghan’s new Netflix project, recently taken pictures of their children have surfaced.
One particular image, shared by Meghan on Instagram, shows three-year-old Lilibet sitting in a boat on her father’s lap as he kisses her head. Lilibet is dressed in a pink shirt and floral leggings, while Harry wears shorts, a t-shirt, sunglasses, and a cap.
“Happy International Women’s Day! Celebrating the strong women around us & the girls with dreams who will become women with vision. Also thanking those who uplift us every day,” Meghan captioned the post.
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While many fans appreciated the sweet father-daughter moment, the couple quickly found themselves at the center of criticism. Social media users were quick to point out that Lilibet was not wearing a lifejacket, calling the decision “irresponsible.”
“Isn’t it illegal not to have a lifejacket on your child? Very irresponsible,” one user commented, according to Sky News.
“My family has been in the boating industry for four generations. A very big no-no—things happen in the blink of an eye,” another added.
A third person criticized the couple even more harshly, stating: “The self-absorbed, brain-dead parents didn’t put a lifejacket on that child.”
Could They Be Breaking the Law?
It remains unclear where the photo was taken or under what circumstances. However, according to Sky News, California law mandates that children under 13 must wear a Coast Guard-approved lifejacket when aboard a moving recreational vessel of any size. The only exceptions are if the child is inside an enclosed cabin or secured with a harness on a sailboat. Violators can be fined up to $250.
Many other social media users questioned the image, not only due to the lack of a lifejacket but also because they suspected the photo had been altered.
“As ever, it’s always weird. The yellow circle shows Harry’s left hand, and the green circle shows another two left hands,” one person noted.
Despite the backlash, some people defended the couple.
“While safety is crucial, it’s also important to recognize that not every moment in a family’s life will be perfect or picture-perfect. Let’s focus on the overall well-being of children rather than nitpicking isolated incidents,” one user argued.
Another dismissed the criticism altogether, simply commenting, “Bunch of Karens.”
