Meghan’s UK visit family snaps show desire for ‘world to remember’ royal links
The Duchess of Sussex surprised her 4.7million Instagram followers by opening up her family album and sharing a string of photos from her recent trip to the UK and Portugal along with Prince Harry and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. One snap that stood out from the 12 that were shared was a photo that appeared to have been taken at Althorp – the vast Northamptonshire estate, where Harry’s late mother Princess Diana is buried.
In it, Lilibet, five, is seen walking through the estate’s famous tree-lined gardens, while Harry and seven-year-old Archie walk ahead carrying bouquets of flowers.
It came after details about the trip had previously been kept firmly under wraps, with security concerns cited as the reason why Meghan and their children did not travel to London during the visit with Harry. And for royal expert Jennie Bond, showing the family did visit Althorp is a reminder of their connection to Diana – and indeed the wider Royal Family.
She told the Mirror: “I think it shows that she wants the world to remember that her children are part of the royal family. I think she’s proud of her connection to the royal family – hence her continued use of her title of Duchess and their decision to use their children’s titles.
“I’m rather confused by Meghan’s decision to post such private pictures. Of course she’s perfectly entitled to do just as she pleases, but it seems strange to me when the family is so desperate for privacy. I’m sure it meant a huge amount to Harry to be able to show the children his mother’s childhood home as well as her burial place.
“It was a very important moment in their lives, and I’m glad they were able to be there. I’m just not sure why the rest of us should have been included in that very personal visit.”
Other photos posted by Meghan and set to the Cliff Richard tune ‘Summer Holiday’, show the Sussexes in swimwear spending time at the beach, as well as Harry throwing his daughter up in the air as they play in a swimming pool and enjoying time in Portugal, where they had been enjoying a holiday before heading to the UK.
It has previously been reported that the Sussexes have a holiday home on the country’s Atlantic coast, close to where Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank spend some of their time.
And in one photo, Meghan appears to share an image of the front of fish restaurant, O Melidense, in Melidese – in the same Alentejo region of Portugal.
Meghan is also photographed on a sun lounger beside a pool and in the background are a man and woman that have a striking resemblance to Harry’s uncle Charles and his new wife, Cat Jarman.
In another sweet snap, Archie is seen in the cockpit of a plane wearing a pilot’s hat, while the three staff members surround him as he is shown the controls.
None of the photographs shows Archie or Lilibet’s faces – a move by Harry and Meghan to protect their children’s privacy. In all of the photos that Meghan has shared on social media of her children, she does not show their faces.
And Jennie added: “As for the rest of the holiday pictures – they were all very charming although shrouded in the usual mystery of where they were and what the children really look like.
“I still don’t quite understand why Meghan includes the children in so many posts when they are so concerned about privacy, security and the dangers of the digital world.
“William and Catherine issue pictures of their children at milestones in their lives, such as birthdays or first days at school because there is a genuine public and historical interest in the future King, George, and his siblings. The same is not true of Archie and Lilibet. But it’s lovely to see them.”
However, the string of pictures did not contain any photos of the Sussexes’ family reunion with the King and Queen at Highgrove three weeks ago.
Harry and Meghan took their children to see their grandfather at his country retreat for the first time in four years earlier this month after the Duke previously said his security arrangements in the UK made it too dangerous to bring his family to his home country. The children had last seen their grandfather on their previous visit to the UK for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
Harry had planned to bring his family to the UK while he undertook a week-long series of events earlier this month, promoting charities and organisations close to his heart including the Invictus Games he founded.
Security issues prevented Meghan and the children from travelling with him to London but it appears concerns over safety were mitigated to allow the visit to Highgrove, as well as Althorp, to take place later in the week.
