Since stepping back from their roles as senior royals in 2020 and relocating to Montecito, California, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have carved out a new life for themselves and their two children, Prince Archie, born in 2019, and Princess Lilibet, born in 2021. Their journey as parents has been closely watched, not only because of their royal status but also due to their efforts to balance privacy with their public personas. However, recent insights suggest that the couple, once celebrated for their united front, may be facing challenges in aligning their approaches to raising their children. Reports of differing views on parenting, particularly regarding how much of their children’s lives should be shared with the public, have sparked speculation about a cooling in their relationship when it comes to child-rearing. This article delves into the nuances of their parenting philosophies, the tensions that have emerged, and what this means for their family’s future.

Meghan and Harry’s transition from royal duties to a more independent life in the United States was driven by a desire to provide their children with a sense of normalcy, away from the intense scrutiny of the British media. In Montecito, they have created what sources describe as a “happy bubble” for Archie and Lilibet, filled with outdoor activities, gardening, and quality family time. Their 7.4-acre estate, complete with sprawling gardens and a relaxed California vibe, offers a stark contrast to the formalities of royal life in the UK. The couple has been vocal about their commitment to protecting their children’s privacy, a priority shaped by Harry’s own experiences growing up in the public eye and Meghan’s background in the entertainment industry, where she witnessed the pressures of fame firsthand.

Yet, despite their shared goal of shielding Archie and Lilibet, differences in how to achieve this have surfaced. Meghan, who relaunched her Instagram account in January 2025, has embraced a more open approach to sharing glimpses of their family life. Her posts, which often feature carefully curated images and videos of Archie and Lilibet—such as a black-and-white photo of Harry walking hand-in-hand with Archie while carrying Lilibet on his shoulders or a Mother’s Day snapshot of Meghan holding both children—have delighted fans. These moments, while not revealing the children’s faces, offer a window into their Montecito lifestyle. Meghan’s captions, such as “Our son. Our sun” for Archie’s sixth birthday or heartfelt reflections on motherhood, suggest a desire to connect with her audience while maintaining control over the narrative. Her approach aligns with her California upbringing, where a laid-back, relatable parenting style is often celebrated.

Harry, on the other hand, appears more cautious about exposing their children to public attention. Having grown up under constant media scrutiny, he is acutely aware of the potential risks that come with fame, even in a controlled setting. Sources indicate that Harry prefers to keep Archie and Lilibet entirely out of the spotlight, a stance rooted in his ongoing concerns about their safety. His legal battles with the UK government over security arrangements, particularly his assertion that Meghan and the children cannot safely travel to the UK without adequate protection, underscore his protective instincts. Harry’s comments in a BBC interview, where he expressed gratitude that Archie and Lilibet are still too young to be online, further highlight his wariness of the digital world and its impact on young lives. This perspective has led to reported tensions, as Harry’s reluctance to share family moments clashes with Meghan’s more open approach.

The couple’s differing views on social media exposure are particularly significant given their advocacy for online safety. Through their Archewell Foundation, Harry and Meghan have championed stronger protections for children on social media platforms, emphasizing the need to prevent harm caused by online content. Their Parents’ Network initiative supports families affected by social media-related issues, reflecting their commitment to creating a safer digital environment. However, Meghan’s active presence on Instagram, where she shares family moments to promote her Netflix series With Love, Meghan or celebrate milestones like their seventh wedding anniversary, has sparked debate. Some observers suggest that her posts, while carefully curated, may inadvertently invite the kind of attention the couple seeks to avoid, creating a point of contention with Harry.

Beyond social media, Meghan and Harry’s parenting philosophies diverge in other areas. Meghan has spoken about creating a peaceful, low-key environment for Archie and Lilibet, free from the chaos of large production crews or excessive public engagements. In an interview on The Jamie Kern Lima Show, she described her aversion to having “80 people in her kitchen,” emphasizing the importance of a calm home for her children’s memories. This aligns with her focus on self-care and setting boundaries, a principle she applies to both her personal life and her parenting. Harry, meanwhile, brings a perspective shaped by his royal upbringing, where duty and tradition often took precedence. While he has embraced a more relaxed lifestyle in California, his approach to parenting may still carry echoes of the structure and discipline he experienced as a child, potentially leading to disagreements over how to balance freedom with responsibility for Archie and Lilibet.

These differences, while not uncommon in any partnership, are amplified by the couple’s high-profile status. The pressures of parenting in the public eye, combined with their ongoing estrangement from the royal family, add complexity to their dynamic. Harry’s public comments about his strained relationship with King Charles, particularly over security issues, suggest that external challenges may be exacerbating tensions at home. The absence of close family ties in the UK, where Archie and Lilibet have had little contact with their cousins George, Charlotte, and Louis, further isolates the couple as they navigate these decisions. Meghan’s efforts to build a community in Montecito, including friendships with figures like Serena Williams and Drew Barrymore, reflect her attempt to create a supportive network for her family, but the lack of extended family involvement remains a notable gap.

Despite these challenges, Meghan and Harry remain deeply committed to their children’s well-being. Archie, now six, and Lilibet, three, are described as the “center” of their parents’ world, with their personalities shining through in the glimpses shared online. Archie’s love for gardening and Lilibet’s budding confidence, evident in a video where she speaks with an American accent while making jam with her mother, have endeared them to fans. The couple’s recent family vacation, described as a “sun-soaked getaway” to celebrate the success of Meghan’s Netflix series and her lifestyle brand As Ever, underscores their focus on creating joyful memories for their children. These moments of unity suggest that, while their parenting approaches may differ, their shared love for Archie and Lilibet keeps them grounded.

The reported cooling in their relationship over child-rearing is less about a fundamental rift and more about the natural evolution of a partnership under unique circumstances. Parenting, especially under the scrutiny of a global audience, is inherently complex, and Meghan and Harry’s differing backgrounds—her American openness versus his British reserve—naturally shape their perspectives. Their ability to navigate these differences while maintaining a united front will be crucial as Archie and Lilibet grow older and begin to engage with the world beyond Montecito. For now, their commitment to providing a loving, secure environment for their children remains unwavering, even as they work through the nuances of their parenting journey.

As Meghan and Harry continue to redefine what it means to be modern royals, their story resonates with parents everywhere who grapple with balancing privacy, public life, and the well-being of their children. Their journey, marked by both triumphs and challenges, offers a compelling glimpse into the complexities of family life in the spotlight. Whether through Meghan’s heartfelt Instagram posts or Harry’s advocacy for a safer online world, the couple’s dedication to Archie and Lilibet shines through, proving that love, above all, is the foundation of their family.