Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face backlash over new photo of Lilibet
Fans criticize the couple for not putting a lifejacket on their daughter
A new photo of Prince Harry and his daughter, Princess Lilibet, has sparked major controversy online, with fans accusing him and Meghan Markle of being irresponsible parents. The picture, shared by Meghan on Instagram, shows Harry holding Lilibet in a boat—but with no lifejacket in sight.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have always been protective of their children’s privacy. Since stepping back from royal life in 2020 and moving to the U.S., they have rarely shared pictures of Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 3. Even when they do, they often avoid showing their children’s faces.
But on International Women’s Day, Meghan posted a sweet father-daughter moment on Instagram. The picture shows Lilibet sitting on Harry’s lap in a boat while he kisses her head. The caption celebrated “the strong women around us & the girls with dreams who will become women with vision.”
While many fans loved the heartfelt post, others quickly noticed something concerning—Lilibet wasn’t wearing a lifejacket.
Fans accuse Harry and Meghan of being “irresponsible”
The backlash was immediate, with social media users calling out Harry and Meghan for what they saw as a dangerous oversight.
“Isn’t it illegal not to have a lifejacket on your child? Very irresponsible,” one person commented.
Another wrote, “My family has been in the boating industry for four generations. A very big no-no—things happen in a blink of an eye.”
A third person didn’t hold back, saying, “The self-absorbed, brain-dead parents didn’t put a lifejacket on that child.”
Could they be breaking the law?
The legality of the situation depends on where the photo was taken. According to California law, children under 13 must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejacket on any moving recreational boat unless they are inside an enclosed cabin or wearing a harness on a sailboat. Violators can face a fine of up to $250.
Since the location of the photo hasn’t been confirmed, it’s unclear if Harry and Meghan broke any rules. However, many online users still criticized them for setting a bad example.
Others defend the Sussexes
Despite the backlash, some fans defended the couple, saying the reaction was overblown.
“While safety is crucial, it’s also important to recognize that not every moment in a family’s life will be perfect or picture-perfect,” one supporter wrote. “Let’s focus on the overall well-being of children rather than nitpicking isolated incidents.”
Another person dismissed the criticism, saying, “Bunch of Karens.”
Ongoing scrutiny of Harry and Meghan
This isn’t the first time Harry and Meghan have faced public criticism. Ever since stepping away from the royal family, they have been under constant scrutiny—from their interviews and media projects to their parenting choices.
Despite the controversy, the couple continues to focus on their family life in California. Meghan recently launched her new Netflix cooking and lifestyle show With Love, Meghan, where she shared that Lilibet has a passion for gardening and cooking—interests she shares with her grandfather, King Charles.
But as the backlash over the boat photo grows, it raises a familiar question: Are Harry and Meghan being unfairly targeted, or did they genuinely make a dangerous parenting mistake?
What do you think? Share your thoughts!
