Former American actress Meghan Markle and British Prince Harry, after stepping down from royal duties, live in California with their two children—5-year-old Archie and 3-year-old Lilibet. On March 8, Meghan shared rare family photos. One of them showed her posing in her husband’s embrace on the ocean shore. Markle also shared a childhood photo with her mother, Doria Ragland.
In another photo, Prince Harry was holding Lilibet in his arms during a boat ride. The girl wore a pink t-shirt and gray leggings with a floral print. Her hair, with a reddish tint like her father’s, was tied up in a messy ponytail. Prince Harry wore a denim baseball cap, a white t-shirt, and striped shorts. Lilibet curled up on her father’s lap, and Harry kissed her on the forehead.
This photo sparked confusion among the critics of the controversial couple of the British monarchy. Meghan and Harry were heavily criticized for not wearing life jackets, neither the prince nor his little daughter. Social media users reminded them that under California law, every child under 13 must wear a life jacket on any boat, regardless of its size.
“Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are showing the world how bad they are as parents,” “Only a fool wouldn’t put a life jacket on a child while boating. It’s a legal requirement for anyone on a boat,” “Accidents often happen because of such irresponsible parents,” “My family has been in shipbuilding for four generations. This is very bad, irresponsible. Things happen in the blink of an eye,” “It seems their priorities are anywhere but raising their children,” “A child on a boat without a life jacket scares me. That’s why there have been drownings in our state,” “Lilibet must have a life jacket,” “This is madness! They endangered Lilibet’s life!” “Even pet owners put life jackets on their animals when boating, but here’s a small child on board,” the comments read.
However, fans of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex defended them, suggesting the photo was likely taken when the boat was docked at the pier. The Suits star had deleted her social media accounts after marrying Prince Harry in 2018, as required by royal protocol. But she recently returned to the public eye and is rapidly gaining followers.
In March, the Duchess of Sussex launched a new eight-episode lifestyle show Archetypes, in which she cooks, gardens, and decorates her home with guests. Despite the anticipated wave of criticism, Markle was overjoyed. She shared a video of herself dancing in the backyard of their Montecito estate when she learned that her show was renewed for a second season.
