Meghan Marklehas been accused of using Princess Lilibet to boost her public image and brand as the child's fifth birthday approaches on 4 June, with a branding expert warning that the Duchess of Sussex now faces a 'challenge' to avoid looking overly 'engineered' in how she presents her family online.
Meghan and Prince Harry were initially vocal about protecting their children's privacy after stepping back from royal duties in 2020, sharply limiting photographs and personal details shared in public. That guarded approach has softened in the past year, particularly around their daughter. Since Lilibet's fourth birthday post in 2024, the duchess has mentioned or shown her at least 13 times on her personal Instagram page, according to a tally reported by theDaily Mail. It is a noticeable gear change for a couple who once treated any image of their children as something close to contraband.
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Lilibet's presence on Meghan Markle's social media has grown steadily in recent months. The latest example came when Meghan posted a mirror selfie before travelling to Geneva, Switzerland, for an online event focused on children's safety. At her feet in the photograph was Lilibet, dressed in red and, according to her mother's caption, 'mama's little helper.'
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A few days earlier, Meghan again referenced both of her children in a promotional clip for her lifestyle brand, As Ever, which recently launched its first product line, a range of jams.
In that video, she spoke about each family member having their own jar, tying domestic warmth and family ritual to a commercial product in a way that felt highly deliberate.
On its own, a mother sharing an affectionate moment with her daughter is unremarkable. What has drawn analysts' attention is the pattern and timing.
Lilibet is appearing not only in casual posts but in content that sits alongside Meghan's business ventures and public engagements. That is where the question of 'credibility' and strategy starts to creep in.
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Source: International Business Times UK
