Royal Rift: Harry ‘Unhappy’ as Meghan Uses Children to Promote Brand

Prince Harry and Meghan’s Parenting Clash Goes Public

A royal disagreement has reportedly emerged between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle over how much of their children’s lives should be shared with the world. According to royal insiders, the Duke of Sussex is increasingly uncomfortable with his wife using their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to promote her lifestyle brand, As Ever.

The revelation comes from royal editor Matt Wilkinson, who recently shared on A Right Royal Podcast that Harry’s protective instincts are clashing with Meghan’s more California-influenced approach to family exposure. This contrast in parenting philosophies has reportedly created tension in their Montecito household.

Harry’s Privacy Concerns vs. Meghan’s Brand Strategy

Harry’s concerns stem from his lifelong experience with media intrusion. “He’s got this idea that if he takes them outside of Montecito, that there is a hoard of us out there trying to take photos of his kids,” Wilkinson explained on the podcast. This fear has apparently made the Duke reluctant to expose Archie and Lilibet to public scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Meghan, who was raised in the spotlight-friendly environment of California, reportedly sees things differently. Her brand strategy as a lifestyle entrepreneur incorporates aspects of her home life and motherhood, making it challenging to completely shield the children from public view.

Wilkinson didn’t mince words when describing Harry’s feelings about the situation, suggesting the Duke is “not overly happy” about his children being used, even indirectly, to promote Meghan’s commercial ventures.

The Children’s Growing Social Media Presence

Despite Harry’s reported misgivings, Meghan has gradually increased Archie and Lilibet’s visibility in recent months. The children made appearances in a Valentine’s Day video where they helped prepare desserts—a wholesome family moment that also served as content for Meghan’s brand.

In March, she shared a touching photo of Lilibet and Harry on a boat, giving followers a rare glimpse into their family life. This was followed by a garden photo featuring both children as part of promotional material for her As Ever brand, though their faces remained carefully obscured.

These calculated glimpses showcase Meghan’s strategy of leveraging her family identity while maintaining some boundaries—a balancing act that seems to be testing Harry’s comfort levels.

California Values Meet Royal Traditions

At the heart of this disagreement lies a cultural clash between Meghan’s “California-style lifestyle” ambitions and Harry’s more traditional British royal upbringing. While Harry experienced the downsides of constant media scrutiny throughout his childhood and young adult life, Meghan appears to embrace a more open, albeit controlled, approach to public life.

“Meghan doesn’t want to hide her children away,” a source close to the couple told us. “She believes there’s a way to share glimpses of their family life while protecting their privacy. It’s about finding that balance.”

Interestingly, while the children have appeared in social media content, they were noticeably absent from Meghan’s Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, where Harry himself made only a brief cameo appearance—perhaps indicating some compromise between the couple.

The Bigger Picture: Family vs. Fame

This reported disagreement highlights the complex challenges faced by high-profile parents in the digital age. For Harry and Meghan, who stepped back from royal duties partly to escape media intrusion, finding the right balance between privacy and public presence remains an ongoing struggle.

While representatives for the Duke and Duchess have not commented on these reports, the situation raises important questions about children’s privacy rights in an era where personal branding and social media exposure have become central to many celebrities’ careers.

As Meghan continues to build her As Ever brand and the couple navigates their post-royal life in California, all eyes will be on how they resolve this apparent difference in parenting philosophies. Will Harry’s protective instincts prevail, or will Meghan’s brand-building strategy win out? Only time will tell how this royal parenting puzzle will ultimately be solved.