Columnist Maureen Callahan has sharply criticized Meghan Markle for sharing photographs of Prince Harry and their children, Archie and Lilibet, at Althorp, the ancestral home of Princess Diana. The images, posted by Markle, appear to show the family visiting the grounds where Diana is buried.
Callahan suggests that Markle's decision to share these photos, which she characterizes as "art-directed," is a violation of the sanctity of Diana's burial site on the Althorp estate. The implication, according to Callahan, is that Harry was taking his children to visit their grandmother's grave. Neither Markle nor Prince Harry has denied this implication.
People magazine reported that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stayed at Althorp during a recent visit to the UK, as guests of Diana's brother, Charles Spencer. This stay reportedly occurred despite Prince Harry's previous claims about not being able to return to the UK safely without royal protection.
Callahan argues that the sharing of these photos is a breach of an unstated trust, particularly in light of reported conditions for a potential meeting between Harry and his father, King Charles. These conditions allegedly included no leaks and no photographs. While the photos may not have depicted the grave itself, Callahan views their release as a breach of the spirit of privacy surrounding the site.
In contrast, Callahan points to Prince William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, noting that they have never publicly shared photographs of themselves visiting Diana's grave. She posits that William and Catherine understand the importance of privacy in such matters, contrasting their approach with Markle's.
"Diana was buried on that island, at her family’s private residence, precisely to keep her gravesite from becoming a circus, a tourist attraction, a commodity," Callahan wrote. She further compared the act to a previous incident involving a video shared by Markle, which Callahan described as "obscene."
The article also speculates on potential motivations behind Markle's actions, suggesting a possible shift in the Sussexes' approach to the royal family. Sources cited in the Daily Mail suggest that financial pressures, including a downgraded Netflix deal and perceived professional setbacks, may be influencing their public relations strategy. Prince Harry has recently been seen attending public events alone, including the Time100 Gala, without Meghan.
Callahan concludes that Markle's decision to post the Althorp photos indicates an intention to "continue to do exactly as she pleases," regardless of privacy concerns or past statements.
