Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are once again at the center of controversy due to their decision to give up their royal duties and move to North America with their children Archie and Lilibet. Some royal observers believe that Prince Harry and Meghan's decision could cut their children off from important family legacies and traditions. Others, however, argue that the situation is more complicated and that there are legitimate reasons for both sides.
Let's look in more detail at the key issues in this ongoing family drama. When Prince Harry and Meghan announced in 2020 that they intended to achieve economic independence and split their time between the UK and North America, it was understandable that this caused some concern within Buckingham Palace. As high-ranking working royals who are closely tied to philanthropy and public duty, their departure requires complex negotiations over titles, finances, and future roles.
While the queen was reportedly "hurt" by the move, she eventually respected their wishes. However, some believe that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are turning their backs on centuries of tradition and the royal institutions that have helped them become famous and rich. Now that Archie is 3 years old and Lilibet has just turned a year, commentators like Jenna Clarke have expressed concern that the children could be disconnected from their British relatives and cultural heritage if they grew up mainly overseas.
Clark noted: "You feel like they've completely lost another part of their family and legacy. As grandchildren of the future King Charles, Archie and Lilibet share a status and connection to British history, culture and royal lineage, and some believe they should experience this more fully. Living in private life in California, it is unclear how close their relationship and contact will be with other royal cousins such as Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
On the other hand, Prince Harry and Meghan believe that the relinquishment of royal duties is to give Archie and his sister a more normal environment to grow up in, away from the spotlight and paparazzi pressures that come with being working royalty. Meghan herself has experienced a lot of racism and interference, and she is said to be very protective of her children's privacy and well-being.
Some even believe that the old rules and expectations of the royal family have taken a toll on their mental health. By forging a new path of progress overseas on their own terms, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle believe they can better protect and care for their growing family.
Of course, things are not black and white. Prince Harry retains his place in the order of succession to the throne and his children will also have their own titles in the future. Despite the reduction in public activity in the UK, Prince Harry expressed his deep affection for his homeland and respect for the Queen.
This rift seems to be more between specific royal families than between individual family members;Prince Harry's recent return to the UK for the Platinum Celebration shows his close interaction with his brother and grandmother. And, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stressed that their children will learn about their British heritage through their visits, the knowledge they teach, and the possible way to engage with royal activities.
Thus, in reality, it seems unlikely that Archie and Lilibet's heritage and ties to Britain will be "stolen" and more of a dual concern of their parents: protecting the well-being of their young children while embracing important aspects of their father's history and culture. It's an ongoing balancing act with no easy answers, especially as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continue to evolve beyond the rigid court tradition.
For the sake of broader family bonds, though, one can only hope that over time, if tensions ease, the cousins will indeed have the opportunity to form a personal bond that will make Archie and Lilibet proud and modern in their multifaceted identities.
Their childhoods may have been different from those of cousins like George, Charlotte, and Louie. But this reflects the evolution of the attitudes that a new generation has formed within the royal family. As long as they still feel connected to their father's home country through visiting and studying, facing fewer constraints and more freedom, it doesn't mean they'll be disconnected from British values.
Just like any child of divorced or separated parents, finding a compromise and appreciating the good in both parties seems like the ideal outcome. As hope for reconciliation progresses and young lives continue to unfold, only time will truly tell how closely Archie and Lilibet will be connected to the Windsor royal family today and tomorrow in the future.
For now, perhaps the most important thing is that they feel loved, supported, and free to plan their lives, rather than bound by responsibilities, **, or expectations imposed on them before birth. For better or for worse, their parents seem to be firmly committed to this, leaving behind a strict tradition of raising their children outside the goldfish bowl as they see fit.
Whether this will widen or narrow the divide between them and the royal family remains uncertain. But if giving Archie and Lilibet the childhood they deserve means breaking away from the middle of the old norms, then Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's choice, however controversial, stems at least from a deep concern for family happiness and welfare.