Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in 'delicate balancing act' over Archie's image

MEGHAN MARKLE and Prince Harry are juggling their desire to give their son Archie Harrison's privacy and an acceptance there is a public interest in him, according to a royal expert.

By Alice Scarsi, Deputy World News Editor

Prince Harry spotted cuddling Archie in documentary clip

Meghan and Prince Harry have to deal with a "delicate balancing act" when it comes to the public image of their firstborn, royal commentator Daniela Elser said. After going through the most notable pictures and public appearances of the two-year-old, the expert said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex need to maintain a happy medium between public and private when it comes to their son.

She wrote in news.com.au: "Now, all of these are clearly very carefully controlled, calibrated outings that balance Harry and Meghan’s commitment to their son’s privacy with a tacit acceptance of the public interest in their son.

"It’s a delicate balancing act: Reveal him too much and the Sussexes will open themselves up to criticism they are reneging on their commitment to give him a normal life.

"However, hide him away and risk the umbrage and grumbling of their legion of fans.

"None of this is simple or easy but thus far Harry and Meghan have clearly recognised the very fraught territory their son occupies and managed to succeed at the highwire act."

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have two children (Image: GETTY)

meghan markle and prince harry archie harrison pictures photos lilibet diana latest

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry with Archie in September 2019 (Image: GETTY)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared a handful of pictures of their son over the past three years.

While they decided not to hold a photoshoot on the steps of London's Portland Hospital where Meghan gave birth on May 6, 2019, they hosted a photocall with selected members of the press to release the first images of Archie two days after his arrival.

Two months later, Meghan and Harry also decided to bar the press from photographing the guests arriving at Archie's christening - but released two pictures from the event showing some of the attendees and the tot.

Over the past months, the Sussexes have also released a few and sparse snaps of their son to mark key occasions such as Meghan and Harry's first Mother's Day and Father's Day.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry introducing their son to the world in 2019 (Image: GETTY)

And they marked Archie's first birthday by sharing a video on Save the Children's Instagram account as part of a charitable initiative launched by the charity.

In the clip, Meghan read the book Duck! Rabbit! to her delighted son as he was sitting on her lap, while a giggling Prince Harry could be heard behind the camera.

In December, fans of the Sussexes heard Archie's voice for the first time, as Meghan and Harry invited their son to speak to the microphone and wish a happy new year to all listeners.

In March, the couple shared a very brief black and white video showing Harry and Archie running together on a beach, broadcasted as part of their interview with Oprah Winfrey.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry with Archie on May 8, 2019 (Image: GETTY)

meghan markle and prince harry archie harrison pictures photos lilibet diana latest

Archie travelled to South Africa with his parents in September 2019 (Image: GETTY)

More footage of the tot was shared two months later, when Apple+ TV released the five episodes of the docu-series by Ms Winfrey and Harry The Me You Can't See.

Finally, Meghan and Harry marked the second birthday of Archie by releasing a picture of the boy on their website Archewell.com.

The black and white snap showed Archie from behind looking up at balloons he was holding.

The snap was released as part of an appeal by Meghan and Harry to people to donate, if they could, to the cause of vaccine equity.

While Harry and Meghan have shared a few pictures of their firstborn over the past months, they have yet to release a snap of their five weeks old daughter Lilibet Diana.

meghan markle and prince harry archie harrison pictures photos lilibet diana latest

Archie was born on May 6, 2019 (Image: EXPRESS)

As she was born after the Sussexes' exit from the Firm, there is no expectation or pressure on them to officially introduce their daughter to the world anytime soon.

Prince Harry and Meghan officially stepped down as senior royals at the end of March 2020, a few days after the Sussex family moved across the Canadian border to start their post-royal lives in California.

During the Sussexes' landmark interview, Prince Harry told Ms Winfrey the choice to quit the Firm was due to a "lack of support and lack of understanding".

The Duke was also asked by Ms Winfrey what delights him in his everyday life in the US.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry relocated to California in late March 2020 (Image: GETTY)

He replied: "This year has been crazy for everybody.

"But to have outdoor space where I can go for walks with Archie, and we can go for walks as a family and with the dogs, and we can go on hikes — we’ll go down to the beach, which is so close — all of these things are just...

"I guess, the highlight for me is sticking him on the back of the bicycle in his little baby seat and taking him on these bike rides, which is something I was never able to do when I was young.

"I can see him on the back and he’s got his arms out and he’s like, ‘Whoo!’ chatting, chatting, chatting, going, ‘Palm tree! House!’ and all this sort of stuff."

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