Prince Archie, son of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, was recently pictured walking barefoot in the countryside during a European holiday, a habit that mirrors his mother Meghan Markle's own inclination. The image, shared by Meghan on Instagram, showed Archie without shoes while exploring what appeared to be the grounds of Althorp, Princess Diana's ancestral home in Northamptonshire.
This casual approach to footwear contrasts with the more traditional attire often seen on their royal cousins. Meghan herself has frequently shared images of her children, including Archie and his younger sister Lilibet, enjoying nature without shoes. Earlier this year, Lilibet was seen running barefoot during an Easter egg hunt at their Los Angeles home.
Meghan has previously spoken about her preference for going barefoot, suggesting it helps to "demystify" her when greeting guests at her Montecito home. The Duchess herself is often seen going shoeless in promotional photos, despite owning a significant collection of high heels.
The European trip, which included time in Portugal and Scotland according to social media posts, also saw Archie and Lilibet carrying bouquets of flowers to lay at their late grandmother Princess Diana's grave at Althorp. Sources confirmed to the Daily Mail that the photographs were taken at the estate.
The holiday also included a visit to Highgrove, King Charles and Queen Camilla's private estate in Gloucestershire, where the family shared tea. This meeting marked the first time Meghan had seen the King and her grandchildren had seen him since 2022. The trip followed Prince Harry's attendance at the Invictus Games in Birmingham, and there was a period of uncertainty regarding his accommodation in the UK.
