Meghan Markle has sparked fresh debate after sharing holiday photos believed to have been taken at Althorp Estate, Princess Diana’s childhood home and final resting place.
While some royal commentators criticized the decision, claiming it could upset Prince William and raise concerns about trust, others argued the visit was appropriate with the Spencer family’s approval.
The images have renewed discussions about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relationship with the Royal Family and the possibility of future reconciliation.
William would reportedly be “livid” over Meghan’s decision to share photos believed to have been taken at Princess Diana’s ancestral home, according to royal experts weighing in on the latest Sussex family post.
The duchess recently shared a series of summer holiday photos on Instagram, including an image believed to show Prince Harry walking with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet on the grounds of Althorp Estate, the Spencer family home where Princess Diana grew up and where her memorial site is located.
The image drew mixed reactions from royal observers. British royal commentator Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that the post is unlikely to be well received by William, who has long been protective of his mother’s legacy and privacy.
“Not only is Prince William likely to be livid regarding such commercialization of Althorp in such a tacky, tasteless media post, but it’ll fuel his disgust so he shall thwart any major re-entry,” she began. Fordwich claimed, suggesting the images could further damage any prospects of a closer relationship between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royal Family.
She added: “Camilla, courtiers, palace aides, security officials & other institutional gatekeepers who are duty bound to protect the monarchy, will all do their utmost to thwart MM & H’s attempts.”
Royal Experts Defend The Duchess’s Althorp Photos, Say Visit Likely Had Spencer Family Approval
However, not everyone agreed with the criticism. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams pointed out that the Spencer family would almost certainly have approved any visit to Althorp, making the photographs “permissible” from their perspective.
“What is important is the silence Harry and Meghan have somehow managed to maintain after seeing King Charles and Queen Camilla,” Fitzwilliams said, noting that the couple has not publicly discussed the reported family meetings.
“It will have been made clear that there would be no future meetings if they had talked to any of the media,” he added.
Meghan Markle’s Decision To Post The Images Was Branded ‘Predictable’
Broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard described Meghan’s decision to share the images as “predictable.”
The royal expert argued that the photographs reinforce the children’s connection to their late grandmother’s legacy while reflecting the couple’s complex relationship with royal traditions.
“It is a predictable move. It ties them to history without using a title. However, it also shows a slight tension, wanting the Royal story when it helps, while keeping distance when it doesn’t,” Chard said.
She added, “The public understands peace in private, but basically the crown has to come first.”
Royal Expert Claims The Sussexes Face Trust Issues Despite Reported Reunion With King Charles
Reports have also claimed that Harry and Meghan met with King Charles and Camilla during the visit, marking a rare family reunion. According to reports, the King had not seen Archie and Lilibet in person for several years.
Despite speculation about improving family ties, experts remain divided over whether any reconciliation could lead to a larger role for the Sussexes within the monarchy.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Fordwich suggested that while Charles “wants his ‘dear boy’ H back within the royal fold with limited family contact & a controlled private reconciliation,” Prince William’s reported stance makes any significant return to working royal life unlikely.
“The entire family is most wary of the institutional risk H & MM are likely to cause at any given moment via leaks to the media. MM sharing photos which appear to be taken at Althorp of her children is a ghastly exploitative move & precisely why the couple isn’t trusted,” the royal expert continued.
“She is being predictably provocative & tasteless since Princess Diana’s resting place is purposely at Althorp, a most private family mourning location & deeply symbolic being Princess Diana’s ancestral home.”
Royal Expert Urges King Charles And Prince William To Take United Approach Ahead Of Prince Harry’s UK Return
With Harry expected to return to the UK in September for engagements linked to his patronage with WellChild, royal commentators are also speculating about how the visit will be managed by Buckingham Palace.
Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail that Charles and William should adopt a “joint approach” when handling Harry’s future visits, arguing that a coordinated approach would help prevent unnecessary distractions from the work of the Royal Family.
According to Fitzwilliams, William remains concerned that media attention surrounding his younger brother could “overshadow the valuable work the monarchy is doing in the media.”
He suggested that maintaining alignment between the King and the Prince of Wales is crucial, warning that any division between the two senior royals could prove far more damaging to the institution than ongoing tensions with Harry.
“The most disastrous thing that could happen to the monarchy would be a falling out between King Charles and Prince William, who, together with his family, represents its future,” Fitzwilliams told the outlet.