Meghan Markle Celebrates International Women’s Day with Rare Photo of Princess Lilibet Amidst Show Controversy
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, took to her new Instagram page on Saturday to commemorate International Women’s Day with a series of photos, including a never-before-seen image of her three-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet. The previously unreleased snapshot offers a rare glimpse of the young royal, showcasing her from the back as she is lovingly cradled by her father, Prince Harry, aboard a boat.
The Duchess thoughtfully curated the collection of images to honor the strong women in her life and to uplift aspiring young girls. Alongside the tender moment between Harry and Lilibet, Markle shared three other significant photographs. One depicted a recent heartwarming moment with her mother, Doria Ragland, highlighting their enduring bond. Another captured a serene scene of the Duchess and Prince Harry on a beach, radiating togetherness and tranquility. Completing the quartet was a poignant black-and-white photograph of Markle as a child with her mother, a touching reflection on her own journey and the influence of maternal love.
"Celebrating the strong women around us & the girls with dreams who will become women with vision," Markle eloquently wrote in the accompanying caption. "Also thanking those who uplift us every day." The post served as a powerful reminder of the importance of female empowerment and the invaluable support networks that enable women to thrive.
This International Women’s Day post also marked Markle’s return to social media following the renewal of her Netflix lifestyle show, "With Love, Meghan," for a second season. The show, which debuted earlier in the week, has been met with mixed reviews and sparked controversy among royal experts and viewers alike.
In a post shared on Friday, Markle expressed her excitement for the upcoming season, writing, "If you’re loving Season 1, just wait until you see the fun we cooked up on Season 2! Thanks for joining the party, and an endless thanks to the amazing team and crew who helped bring it all to life!"
However, the show’s initial reception has been less than stellar. Critics have drawn comparisons to Pamela Anderson’s cooking show on the Flavor Network, suggesting a lack of originality in its concept. Adding fuel to the fire, some royal experts have voiced their disapproval of the show, questioning Markle’s authenticity and accusing her of overshadowing other important issues.
Podcaster Kinsey Schofield, speaking to Fox News Digital, labeled the Duchess as "tone deaf" and accused her of "hijacking all the oxygen in the room." Similarly, royal expert Helena Chard criticized Markle’s lack of charisma and argued that she missed an opportunity to showcase her genuine self in the gardening and cooking series. As of Saturday, the show held a disappointing 25% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, despite its renewal for a second season.
The controversy surrounding "With Love, Meghan" highlights the ongoing challenges Markle faces as she navigates her public persona and entrepreneurial endeavors following her departure from royal duties. The Duchess and Prince Harry stepped back as senior royals in 2020, relocating to Montecito, California, with their son, Prince Archie, who was born in London in 2019. Their daughter, Lilibet, was born in California in 2021.
In one of the first season’s episodes, Markle addressed the use of her maiden name during a conversation with comedian Mindy Kaling, who repeatedly referred to her as "Meghan Markle." With a gentle correction, the royal remarked, "It’s so funny, too, that you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know I’m Sussex now." She further explained the significance of sharing her title with her children, stating, "You have kids, and you go, ‘No, I share my name with my children.’ I didn’t know how meaningful that would be to me, but it just means so much to go, ‘This is our family name, our little family name.’"
Prior to sharing the International Women’s Day post, Markle also offered another rare glimpse into her family life by posting a video last weekend of Lilibet playing a board game with tennis star Serena Williams, affectionately referred to as "Auntie." The caption read, "When the aunties comes to celebrate … and to play! Love you @serenawilliams."
Markle’s decision to launch her new Instagram page at the beginning of the year coincided with the premiere of her lifestyle show, signaling a renewed focus on building her personal brand and engaging directly with her audience. While the initial reception to "With Love, Meghan" has been mixed, the Duchess’s efforts to share intimate moments with her family and celebrate important causes like International Women’s Day demonstrate her commitment to using her platform for positive impact. The future of the show and Meghan’s ventures is uncertain, but she seems determined to carve her own path, even amidst public scrutiny.
