Meghan Markle Shares New Photo of Prince Harry with Daughter Lilibet on International Women’s Day

Netizens are discussing a photo Meghan Markle shared of her husband and their daughter. This is not the first instance the doting mom has given her followers a glimpse of the little girl.

Meghan Markle marked International Women’s Day with a heartwarming social media post celebrating her mom and acknowledging other women in the world. Amid the Instagram carousel, she shared a heartwarming father-daughter moment between Prince Harry and their three-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet. This picture sparked strong reactions online about the little girl’s safety.

In the image, the Duke of Sussex sits on a boat with his little girl nestled securely in his arms. Wearing a casual white t-shirt, striped shorts, and a backward cap, he leans in close to his daughter, who is dressed in a vibrant pink top and floral-patterned pants.

The scene is a tender one—Harry, wearing sunglasses, presses his cheek to Lilibet’s head, exuding warmth and protection. With calm waters stretching behind them and a bright blue sky dotted with soft clouds, the moment captures a rare glimpse of their private family life

Meghan’s Instagram carousel for International Women’s Day wasn’t just about her daughter—it was a heartfelt tribute to the women who have shaped her life. One of the images featured Meghan with her mother, Doria Ragland, both beaming in a dimly lit event setting.

The warm, candid snapshot highlighted the mother-daughter bond they have shared over the years, with Meghan looking radiant in a black dress as she leaned in beside her mom.

Another photo in the carousel captured a more playful and romantic side of Meghan’s life. In the picture, she and Harry are seen embracing on a sun-kissed beach, laughing as waves lapped at their feet.

Meghan, dressed in a flowing black dress and a wide-brimmed white hat, leaned forward as Harry, in casual shorts and a t-shirt, wrapped his arms around her from behind. The carefree and intimate moment between the couple added another layer to the post’s overarching theme—love, partnership, and the people who stand beside us through life’s journey.

The cover image in Meghan’s post showcased a black-and-white throwback photo of her as a young girl with her mother, setting the tone for the entire tribute. In the nostalgic snapshot, a curly-haired Meghan can be seen crouching beside Doria, seemingly engaged in an activity together in an outdoor park setting.

“Happy International Women’s Day! Celebrating the strong women around us & the girls with dreams who will become women with vision. Also thanking those who uplift us every day,” captioned Meghan alongside the post.

The photo of Harry and Princess Lilibet on the boat may have been intended as a heartwarming father-daughter moment, but online, it quickly became the center of heated debate.

Many people took issue with what they saw as a glaring safety concern—Lilibet’s lack of a life vest while out on the water. “That’s insane!” one person exclaimed, while another echoed the concern, “OMG! So unsafe.”

Others pointed to potential legal issues, with one remarking, “Looks like the child is on a boat without a life jacket. Just a little irresponsible and illegal.” The sentiment was reinforced by another commenter who stated, “Totally irresponsible to have a small child in a boat without a life jacket.”

While continuing to emphasize the importance of water safety, someone else chastised the parents by highlighting that even pet owners prioritize their pets’ safety when riding on boats.

The concern continued, with yet another person pointing out how crazy the situation looked. A netizen on X expressed the importance of the entire family needing to wear lifevests, while a fellow observer questioned whether there were legal requirements being overlooked.

The recent widely discussed photo of Lilibet and her dad isn’t the first instance that Meghan has shared media of her daughter. Not too long ago, the Duchess of Sussex gave her followers another glimpse of the little girl in a playful moment with tennis legend Serena Williams.

The video appeared on Meghan’s Instagram Stories. It added excitement to the then-upcoming launch of her Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan,” which premiered on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

In the heartwarming clip, the little princess looked adorable in a pink outfit as she enjoyed a game with her “auntie” Serena. The pair played a customized version of the classic board game “Candy Land.” The personalized set featured a pastel pink design, with “Archie & Lili” written at the top.

The video was accompanied by Bill Withers’ classic song “Lovely Day” and an overlaid caption emphasizing the special moment and expressing Meghan’s love for Serena.

In a follow-up post, Meghan continued to build anticipation for her new show. The since-expired story included text that outlined how many days were left until the series premiered.

Lilibet’s outfit, shown in the video, also caught attention. She wore pink floral leggings paired with a matching T-shirt. The leggings were identified as the Girls Print Leggings from The Children’s Place.

The first season of Meghan’s series, “With Love, Meghan,” consists of eight episodes. Reportedly, the show offers viewers a closer look at the Duchess of Sussex’s personal and professional life, along with her experiences as a mother, wife, and public figure.

Apart from the show, Meghan’s social media posts have offered fans a rare and personal window into her family life, with the touching moment between Lilibet and Serena capturing hearts online.

In addition to Lilibet’s cute pink clothing, another element that stood out from the sweet playdate was her hair color.

Some people were puzzled by the glimpse of Meghan and Harry’s daughter, questioning the differences in her hair across various appearances.

One person wondered, “I thought Lilibet had curly hair?..” Another seemed surprised by the apparent change, asking, “How come her hair is a different color from the last rare peek?”

A different observer pointed out the variations, “Why does it never ever look like the same child? Kid goes from flaming redhead to blonde.” Someone else echoed the confusion, “What happened to the red curly hair?”

Another confused spectator questioned, “Why are both their kids have such a straight hair[sic]?” Adding to the speculation, one person asked, “Where is her daughters waist length hair from a previous picture [sic]?”

Meghan and Prince Harry have consistently kept their kids’ lives private ever since they left the UK. However, in December 2024, just in time for the holidays, the couple gave fans a heartwarming glimpse of their growing children.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex unveiled their 2024 holiday card on December 16, featuring a charming family moment with their three dogs, which quickly sparked online buzz.

The centerpiece of the card—a six-photo montage—included an image of five-year-old Prince Archie and his little sister as they ran toward their parents with excitement.

In the photo, Meghan, 43, is seen smiling warmly at Archie while Harry, 40, crouched down to greet Lilibet, whose red hair matched her brother’s. The shot was framed by the presence of the family’s beloved dogs: Guy, Pula, and Momma Mia.

The card also carried a festive message, “On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation. We wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year.”

Additional photos featured in the card highlighted moments from Harry and Meghan’s trips to Colombia and Nigeria earlier last year (2024).

The Sussexes, who rarely share photos of their children, made 2024’s holiday card particularly special for their supporters. The intimate family moment offered a rare look at Archie and Lilibet, now more grown up, spreading cheer as the family embraced the holiday season.

This photo also sparked an outpouring of love and admiration from fans across social media, who were quick to share their thoughts and reactions.

On Instagram, one wrote, “Aww they both got Harrys [sic] hair😍.” Another chimed in with, “Awww so cute! Lovely family.” Others couldn’t help but admire the striking hair color of Harry and his kids.

A fellow admirer highlighted the standout feature of the heart-melting family portrait—“Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie’s hair .” Noticing Lilibet’s growth, another fan observed, “Lilibet is almost as tall as Archie. ❤️❤️❤️❤️.”

Some fans praised the couple’s decision to maintain their children’s privacy while sharing this small glimpse. One person expressed, “Awww! I love the family photo! I would love to see the kids more, but I fully respect them wanting to keep the kids out of the spotlight. Those are for sure Harry’s kids with that red hair!” Another succinctly added, “Ginger ❤️❤️❤️😍❤️😍❤️.”

On X, the sentiment continued, with someone else proclaiming, “The most beautiful redheads appeared [sic].” Aside from the rare glimpses the doting parents show of their kids, Harry has previously shared sweet insights about them.

Speaking at the WellChild Awards, where he has served as patron for years, Harry revealed a charming detail about Archie and Lilibet.

According to Hello! Magazine’s October 2024 issue, the father of two proudly shared what the youngsters have inherited from their mother.

Sophie Vokes-Dudgeon, chief content officer for Hello! recalled that conversation with Harry, stating, “Archie and Lili have been blessed with their mother’s thick hair, he told us, self-effacingly, as he marveled that it won’t be long until Lili can sit on hers.”

Sophie also described how Harry seemed relaxed and optimistic about the next chapter of his life. He mentioned friends had assured him that the 40s were “the best decade” and spoke fondly of Meghan’s unwavering support at home.

Harry also shared that Meghan had her hands full with not only the couple’s two children but also their three dogs, whom he jokingly described as “not quite house-trained.” Adding to their bustling family life, Harry playfully referenced their chickens, hinting at a lively household dynamic.

Despite his lighthearted remarks, Sophie emphasized that Harry appeared deeply fulfilled and “in his element” when speaking about his kids and his charitable work. The time he spends engaging with the families, children, and professionals celebrated at the WellChild Awards brings him undeniable joy.

As the Sussexes continue to navigate their family life, balancing privacy and public interest, their children remain at the heart of major updates.

In February 2024, the couple made headlines when they officially changed their children’s surnames following their newly bestowed royal titles.

Archie and Lilibet, previously known by the surnames “Mountbatten-Windsor,” embraced their royal titles as part of their official last names.

In a gesture well-received by Harry and Meghan, King Charles III offered his grandchildren the prestigious prince and princess titles when he ascended the throne in 2022. They accepted the titles, but it was only later that they were used for the first time.

This remarkable transition was publicly acknowledged in March 2023 during the christening of Lilibet, where the titles were officially used for the first time. The children’s names were then updated on the royal family’s official website to “Prince Archie of Sussex” and “Princess Lilibet of Sussex.”

The adoption of “Sussex” as the family surname aligns with royal traditions, where titles and territorial designations often serve as surnames. It further embeds the children’s royal lineage and their parents’ legacy within their names.

This approach to surnames follows a historical precedent within the royal family, where names and titles are deeply intertwined with identity and heritage.

As outlined on the official royal website, royal surnames often reflect paternal lineage. However, the royal family has its unique traditions, with sovereigns typically adopting the name of their ‘House’ from their father.

This tradition ensures continuity and honors the familial legacy, as seen with the House of Windsor. Unless a monarch decided to change this tradition, members of the royal family, including Harry and Meghan’s children, would typically carry the “Mountbatten-Windsor” surname—a practice which Harry and Meghan have changed.