Meghan Markle has drawn criticism from royal experts for sharing photographs of her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, at Princess Diana's ancestral home, Althorp.
The images, posted to Instagram with the caption "Summer Holiday," reportedly show the children on the grounds of the Spencer family estate, which is also Diana's final resting place. One photograph appears to depict Prince Harry with Archie and Lilibet walking on a path, carrying bouquets, which some interpret as a visit to Diana's burial site on the estate.
British royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that Prince William is likely "livid" over the post, calling it a "commercialization of Althorp in such a tacky tasteless media post." She suggested that such actions would intensify disgust and lead to efforts to thwart any significant re-entry for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex into royal life, a sentiment she believes is shared by Queen Camilla and other palace officials.
Another royal expert, Richard Fitzwilliams, noted that the Spencer family must have granted permission for the visit, making the post "permissible." He also pointed to the public silence maintained by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle following their recent meetings with King Charles and Queen Camilla, suggesting this adherence to media discretion was a condition for future interactions.
Helena Chard, a British broadcaster and photographer, described Markle's public sharing of the family moment as "predictable." She stated that while the photos connect the couple to history, they also reveal a tension in seeking royal relevance when it is advantageous while maintaining distance otherwise. Chard emphasized that "the Crown has to come first."
During their recent U.K. visit, Harry and Meghan were reportedly reunited with King Charles and Queen Camilla. Charles had not seen his grandchildren since 2022. However, Fordwich expressed doubt about a return to significant working-royal roles for the Sussexes, citing Prince William's stance and the perceived institutional risk of leaks to the media.
Chard also voiced skepticism about a broader return to the royal fold for the Sussexes, especially without what she termed "genuine contrition" or a "proper apology" to the King and the country. She distinguished between a family reunion and a return to royal duties, suggesting the latter remains improbable without accountability from Harry and Meghan.