Experts Warn Archie and Lilibet May Resent Online Exposure as They Grow Older
Meghan Markle’s approach to sharing moments of her children’s lives online may one day come under scrutiny—not just from the public, but from the children themselves, according to royal commentators.
On The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, author Hugo Vickers and journalist Samara Gill discussed how Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet might react in the future to being featured in social media posts during their early years—often with their faces partially obscured. The discussion follows the Sussex family's recent visit to Disneyland, which sparked fresh debate after glimpses of the children appeared online.
Speaking with royal editor Matt Wilkinson, Vickers suggested Meghan and Harry could face what he called a “terrible revenge” from their children as they grow up and reflect on their upbringing.
“I just think there’s going to be a terrible revenge when those children grow up,” Vickers remarked. “I mean, I do not know about you, but I would be very annoyed if I found that I’d been used in all these posts in a strange way by my parents.”
He also reflected on the emotional distance Archie and Lilibet may feel from the wider royal family, particularly their grandparents and cousins.
“They are going to grow up and realise they never really knew their grandfathers,” he added. “And then of course, they’ll realise they could have been cousins with Prince George, a future king—and instead, they’re growing up without those family ties.”
The comments come amid growing debate over how public figures navigate privacy in the digital age, especially when it involves children. Meghan recently faced backlash for her viral twerking video, which triggered a fresh round of online conspiracy theories and criticism from detractors.
While Harry and Meghan have made efforts to shield their children from the spotlight, including rarely showing their faces in photos, royal experts say even curated glimpses might have lasting impact as Archie and Lilibet grow older—and possibly start asking questions.
