RF. Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Spotted on the Beach with Son, Igniting a Stir

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s latest beach outing with their son, Prince Archie, has sparked a wave of reactions online, with fans divided over the royal couple’s parenting choices during the sunny family day in California.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex enjoyed a fun day out at Santa Claus Beach in Carpinteria, California, on August 1, 2025, as their son, Prince Archie, took surfing lessons.

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan spent time together on the sand as they watched Archie, 6, enjoy the water. Their daughter, Princess Lilibet, was not pictured at the beach with them.

Harry sported a gray shirt and a pair of black shorts for the laid-back occasion, camouflaging himself from the crowd with a tan baseball cap. Meanwhile, Meghan wore a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, paired with shorts and a large beige sun hat to shield her face from the sun.

Though their faces are typically hidden, the children have become more visible in curated posts and appearances. When asked directly about Harry’s stance on the increased social media exposure of their children, Matt responded, “I don’t particularly mind her putting pictures of the children on, but I think Harry probably is not overly happy.”

The couple’s differing views on privacy were at the center of the conversation. “My understanding of this, or up to a certain stage, is that Harry would much rather his children were not seen. He doesn’t want them to be papped,” the editor explained.

“He’s got this idea that if he takes them outside of Montecito, that there’s a horde of us out there trying to take pictures of his kids. They’re not, by the way. Whereas Meghan — you know, she’s [sic] grew up in California — she wants her children to have a more kind of California-style lifestyle. You know, take them down to the beach, go out, do stuff. She doesn’t want to hide them away,” he added.

Reflecting on Harry’s reluctance to expose his children, the editor attributed it to his upbringing. “It’s a different culture, I think Harry’s living in,” he stated. “A lifestyle [different] from the way things were when he was a child[…] it’s not like that anymore.”

These comments follow the release of Meghan’s new Netflix series, which debuted last month in the platform’s top 10 across 24 countries, pulling in 2.6 million views. The series follows her shift from royal life to her new role as a lifestyle entrepreneur and mother, with a second season already in production.

Netflix, which signed a production deal with Harry and Meghan in 2020, is also reportedly backing her new lifestyle brand, As Ever. The brand, which was originally called American Riviera Orchard, includes baking mixes, honeys, and jams priced from $12 to $15. A spokesperson confirmed the products sold out within an hour of launch.

The duchess also made headlines after welcoming a New York Times journalist into her Montecito kitchen. This marked the first time media were allowed into her home under strict no-photo conditions. At 43, Meghan said she remains driven by both passion and necessity.

“I need to work, and I love to work,” she told the publication. “This is a way I can connect my home life and my work.” She shared that until meeting Harry, she had worked consistently since the age of 13.

Since launching a new Instagram account on January 1, 2025, Meghan has gained 2.7 million followers. Many of the clothes featured on her ShopMy page have sold out within hours. Though some critics question her choices, celebrity chef Carla Hall offered perspective, stating, “Everybody has somebody or something they want her to be. There’s no winning that game.”

Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are sixth and seventh in line to the British throne. Their upbringing in California has drawn comparisons to both traditional royal expectations and modern celebrity parenting norms.