Mums all over the world do it – share a selection of photos of them and their kids enjoying holidays on social media for all to see. But when Meghan, Duchess of Sussex posted snaps of her family on vacation, the backlash was ferocious. The former actress was accused of being disrespectful and exploitative over one picture in particular, which appears to show her husband, Prince Harry and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, about to visit the grave of Princess Diana.
“This should be a private family moment, not posted for all the world to see,” wrote one furious commentator.
“She has no shame or respect,” ranted another.
A return to Diana’s home
It is believed the shot, which shows Harry, 41, and Archie, seven, carrying huge bunches of flowers and walking through an avenue of trees trailed by Lilibet, was taken on the Althorp estate in Northamptonshire during the Sussex family’s whirlwind visit to the UK last month.
Harry’s mother Diana is buried at Althorp, her family home. It is open to the public in July and August each year, but was unexpectedly closed on July 10 and 11, when it is believed Harry, Meghan and their children stayed at the stately home on the property with Diana’s brother Charles, Earl Spencer, 62.
Fans are divided
While there has been no official confirmation that Harry took Archie and Lilibet to their grandmother’s resting place, people have recognised the photo as having been taken at Althorp, and many say
it has crossed a line.
“The holiday pictures are fine,” wrote one commentator, referring to other shots in the social media carousel, which include images of the kids in a swimming pool and the whole family at a beach, accompanied by the Sir Cliff Richard song Summer Holiday.
“But to take photos of the children carrying flowers on their way to lay them at Diana’s grave is not something that should be shared with the public like a fun day out. It’s ghoulish.”
Support for Meghan
Others have stuck up for Meghan, 45, saying the photo was just one of many documenting their break, and she has every right to share “a touching family milestone”.
They also noted that the photo wasn’t taken at Diana’s grave – she is buried on a tiny island in the middle of a lake on the estate – or at the nearby Grecian temple-style memorial dedicated to her. But critics say posting a photo that appears to show the family on the way to the grave lacks class because it cashes in on the family’s royal connections.
Questions over motive
It looked like Meghan was “desperate to monetise Harry’s kids at Diana’s resting place”, said another.
Royal correspondent Charles Rae says the dump of photos makes him suspicious because the Sussexes are known for leveraging any opportunity they can to make money. Questions about the purpose of the visit have also been raised, amid talk of a possible documentary by Harry and Meghan to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death next year.
“What are they going to use these photos for eventually? Are they going to use them in this so-called documentary Harry’s preparing as a tribute to his mother? Meghan doesn’t just share these happy family shots for nothing – they’re going to be used for other things as well.”
MasterChef divides viewers
Meghan has also divided opinion after her appearance on MasterChef Australia – including an apparent surprise phone call from Harry during her guest judging segment. Contestants were set the task of transforming a staple ingredient into a dish “fit for a duchess”, although the royal herself urged her fellow judges to “call me Meghan”.
Harry called Meghan to check in, with producers handing her the phone. She greeted him by saying, “Hi, my love,” and afterwards called him “a charmer”.
One commentator said that Meghan “made MasterChef Australia her own,” while another called it “one big gush-fest”.
Social media users were also split, with one viewer writing that Meghan was “warm, gracious and a delight to watch”, while another called Prince Harry’s cameo appearance “cringe”.
