Since stepping back from official royal duties in 2020, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, has continued to navigate life in the public eye alongside her husband, Prince Harry, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet. While her role as a working royal has changed, Meghan’s position as a mother and advocate for family well-being has remained central to her public work.
This article explores Meghan’s confirmed journey as a mother, her public advocacy for children and families, and the ways in which she and Prince Harry balance their private life with global attention.
Meghan Markle and Motherhood
Meghan and Harry welcomed their first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, in May 2019, and their daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, in June 2021. The couple has intentionally kept their children’s lives private, limiting public appearances and media exposure.
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, Meghan emphasized the importance of protecting her children’s privacy and giving them as normal a childhood as possible. Since moving to California, the Sussexes have sought to create a stable home environment away from the intense scrutiny of the British tabloid press.
Advocacy for Families and Children
Meghan has consistently used her platform to advocate for families, parental rights, and child welfare.
- In 2020, she wrote a widely shared New York Times opinion piece about pregnancy loss, encouraging open conversations about grief and healing.
- She has supported initiatives focused on paid parental leave in the United States, writing letters to lawmakers and speaking about the importance of supporting working parents.
- Through the Archewell Foundation, founded with Prince Harry, Meghan has worked on projects related to mental health, equitable access to education, and family support services.
According to the foundation’s mission, its goal is to “uplift and unite communities—local and global—through acts of compassion and systemic change.”
Public Appearances with Her Children
While Meghan and Harry protect their children’s privacy, there have been carefully chosen moments when Archie and Lilibet have been seen publicly:
- In 2019, Archie made his first overseas appearance during the Sussexes’ official tour of South Africa, where he met Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
- In 2021, the couple released a holiday card featuring both Archie and Lilibet, marking the first public photo of their daughter.
- In 2022, photographs of Lilibet’s first birthday celebration at Frogmore Cottage were shared by close friends, coinciding with Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
These moments highlight the couple’s approach: offering occasional glimpses into their family life while maintaining strict boundaries around their children’s daily privacy.
Meghan’s Approach to Parenting
In interviews, Meghan has described motherhood as both rewarding and challenging. She has spoken about the importance of creating a nurturing environment and teaching her children values of kindness, resilience, and service.
According to People magazine and BBC reports, Meghan and Harry prioritize outdoor family activities, home-cooked meals, and quality time away from cameras. Parenting, for them, is deeply connected to their advocacy, as they often link global issues—such as climate change and online safety—to the well-being of their children’s generation.
Prince Harry and Shared Parenthood
Prince Harry has also been candid about fatherhood, often emphasizing how becoming a parent has deepened his sense of responsibility. In interviews with outlets like Apple TV+’s The Me You Can’t See series and Today Show, Harry has shared how raising Archie and Lilibet has motivated him to address mental health challenges and campaign for a safer online world.
Together, Harry and Meghan have presented themselves as a united team—balancing parenting with philanthropy, public advocacy, and media projects, including their Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan and Meghan’s Archetypes podcast.
Global Reactions to Meghan’s Motherhood
Meghan’s journey as a mother has resonated widely, especially among women balancing public careers with private family life. Her openness about personal struggles—including mental health challenges—has been praised for breaking down stigma and sparking public conversations.
At the same time, she has faced intense media scrutiny, with coverage often polarized. Supporters commend her for standing firm on protecting her children, while critics debate the balance between her public advocacy and private boundaries.
The Role of Archewell Foundation
A major aspect of Meghan and Harry’s family life is intertwined with their charitable foundation. Archewell supports initiatives in education, disaster relief, mental health, and family services.
In 2023, Archewell partnered with organizations such as the World Central Kitchen to provide food relief during natural disasters, and with mental health nonprofits to provide resources for young people navigating online pressures.
These initiatives reflect the couple’s desire to create a legacy of compassion, rooted in their values as parents.
Looking Ahead
As of 2024, Meghan and Harry continue to live in California, raising their children and developing projects through Archewell. Meghan has hinted at future creative ventures, including producing scripted content that highlights meaningful social issues.
Her role as a mother remains central. Whether through limited family appearances, advocacy for paid leave, or charitable initiatives, Meghan has shown that her public work is directly informed by her private life as a parent.
Conclusion
While unverified rumors often surround Meghan Markle and her family, the substantiated facts present a different picture:
- She is a mother of two, raising Archie and Lilibet with Prince Harry in California.
- She continues to advocate for families, children, and mental health through public speaking and the Archewell Foundation.
- She balances her public life with a strong commitment to her children’s privacy.
Meghan Markle’s story is not defined by speculation, but by her documented efforts to combine motherhood with advocacy. Her journey underscores the challenges and opportunities of raising a family under global attention, while using her platform to champion issues that impact millions of families worldwide.
