Meghan Markle's spokesman has defended the Duchess of Sussex's decision to share photos of her children on social media despite delivering a speech on the online dangers children face.
The Duchess flew to Geneva, Switzerland, last month, as she called for the protection of children in digital spaces to be treated as a matter of public health.
Addressing the gathering, she declared young people are currently being moulded by platforms "designed to capture attention at any cost: relentless algorithms, exploitative engagement, and endless exposure to harmful content that they are not seeking out".
But just hours earlier, Meghan had exposed her four-year-old daughter Lilibet to her 4.6 million Instagram followers in a wardrobe picture with the caption "Mama's little helper".
Lilibet turns five tomorrow and Meghan is expected to continue the tradition of sharing an intimate family photo to mark the special occasion.
For Archie's seventh birthday last month, the Duchess posted never-before-seen photos of the youngster lying on Prince Harry's chest in Frogmore Cottage.
It has led to some online users branding the moves "hypocritical", given Meghan's emphasis on the dangers of social media. Now, Meghan's spokesman has responded to those claims.
"The Duchess has always been clear that there is a distinction between sharing moments from her life and exposing her children to public scrutiny," the spokesman told Newsweek.
Meghan Markle's spokesman has defended her decision to share photos of her children on social media
| GETTY"By obscuring their faces, she is demonstrating the very principle she advocates for: giving children privacy, agency, and protection in an increasingly digital world.
"Far from being contradictory, by concealing their faces she is actually reflecting the message she delivered in Geneva: that parents can choose to share family experiences while still taking deliberate steps to protect identities, privacy, and digital footprint."
The Sussexes have long championed for safer online spaces for children. During her speech in Switzerland, Meghan demanded "better from the platforms shaping our children's lives".
And while touring Australia in April, Harry labelled the country's strict new social media rules that ban under-16s from using major platforms as "epic", adding: "Australia took the lead. Your government was the first country in the world to bring about a ban."
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Some fans have led to question the irony of the duchess's comments in Switzerland, following her social media post
|INSTAGRAM: MEGHAN
Harry is expected to travel to the UK this summer to promote the Invictus Games. Next year, the Games, which will be held in Birmingham, will commence, and he is expected to return.
Whether Meghan and the children will join the Duke on his return to the country is unknown, as Harry continues to wait to hear from the Home Office on whether he will be granted round-the-clock security.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams says the Sussexes' habit of photographing the back of their children is "curious" – suggesting it could be leading to something much bigger when Harry does return to the UK.
"The Sussexes are tireless in self-promotion," Mr Fitzwilliams told GB News. "Their habit of photographing their children from the back so their faces are usually not revealed is very curious.
"That is obviously up to them, but it is odd.
"However, there are those who believe this is a build-up to when they do show their faces and come over to the UK in July, if Harry gets the automatic security he expects."
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