The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has offered a rare and intimate look into her family life, sharing a series of charming videos on Instagram featuring her young children, Archie and Lilibet. The footage captures the siblings enjoying simple, sun-drenched moments in California, from splashing in a swimming pool to feeding animals at the zoo.
A Glimpse into Sussex Family Life
The sweet clips, set to the tune 'Carefree Days', show four-year-old Princess Lilibet making a splash in a pool, seemingly under the watchful eye of her grandmother, Doria Ragland. In another adorable video, the back of six-year-old Prince Archie's distinctive red hair is visible as he carefully feeds leaves to a critically endangered black rhino.
Fans were also treated to a brief, passionate moment between the Duke and Duchess themselves. A short clip shows Prince Harry, dressed casually in tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt, dancing barefoot with Meghan in a green field. The Duchess, in a white top and cream mini-shorts, is seen gripping his shoulders as they share the joyful dance.
Plans for a Public Profile
This social media insight comes shortly after revelations that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are planning a more public role for their two children, a move that has reportedly surprised some of the Prince's old friends. Evidence of this shift emerged before Christmas when the couple announced their charitable foundation, Archewell, was evolving into 'Archewell Philanthropies'.
A statement explained the change would allow "the couple and their children to expand upon their global philanthropic endeavours as a family." An old friend of Harry's expressed confusion to the Daily Mail, stating: "Harry and Meghan were always so insistent that their children would be able to make their own way in life without the pressure of expectations or titles."
The Instagram stories are part of a pattern of increased visibility for Archie and Lilibet on the couple's platforms. On the same day as the Archewell statement, Meghan posted a clear family photograph for Christmas, showing Archie hugging his father and Meghan holding hands with Lilibet on a wooden bridge. A festive card and end-of-year video also featured the children helping bake cookies for a local charity ahead of Thanksgiving.
Balancing Privacy and Public Life
This increased sharing presents a nuanced contrast. The couple have previously campaigned on the dangers of social media and welcomed Australia's ban on it for children. However, since Meghan launched her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, their children have featured more prominently in online posts.
Reports in November suggested Prince Harry was 'not loving' his wife's recent 'social media displays' and was aware of being "paraded." Despite this, the family-centric content has continued. Previous posts have included a Halloween montage from a pumpkin farm, set to 'California Dreaming', where the couple were seen holding hands while their children explored.
The latest videos conclude with Meghan herself feeding lettuce to a giraffe at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, California, encapsulating the blend of family intimacy and curated public sharing that now characterises the Sussexes' approach to life in the spotlight.
