Prince Harry attended a friend’s book launch without his wife, Meghan Markle, just days before the couple marked their daughter Princess Lilibet’s birthday.
Meghan has frequently faced criticism for posting photos of Archie and Lilibet on social media while simultaneously campaigning for children’s online safety. The Duchess’ team has now pushed back against the backlash, however, explaining there is a deliberate method behind her posts.
Harry’s recent outing also comes amid fresh claims that the self-exiled royals may be facing financial pressure and could eventually need to “downsize.”
Harry took a break from all the recent drama surrounding him and his estranged family as he stepped out for a rare casual night on the town without Meghan.
The Duke of Sussex attended the launch of his friend José Andrés’ new cookbook, “Spain My Way.”
For the outing, Harry kept things polished in a navy-toned look, pairing a blazer with a shirt and jeans. Andrés is a close friend of the Sussexes and even appeared on Meghan’s Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan,” making her absence from the event more noticeable.
In photos shared online, Harry was seen smiling as he posed with Andrés and other guests at San Laurel, the chef’s restaurant on the 10th floor of Conrad Los Angeles.
Other famous faces at the event included conductor Gustavo Dudamel, journalist Maria Shriver, actors Kyra Sedgwick and Tyler James Williams, and chefs Wolfgang Puck and Roy Choi, among others, per Hello! Magazine.
Prince Harry And Meghan Celebrate Princess Lilibet Turning 5
Harry’s outing came days before his youngest child, Princess Lilibet, turned 5 on Thursday, June 4.
To mark the occasion, Meghan took to Instagram to share a sweet photo of herself and Harry smiling as he held Lilibet in his arms. In another image, the young princess was seen admiring a flower, seemingly in the garden of the family’s Montecito home, with her face turned away from the camera.
“Our dream girl. Happy 5th birthday, Lili,” Meghan captioned the post, adding a white heart emoji.
For Lilibet’s birthday last year, Meghan also shared a carousel of family moments and later gushed over how their daughter’s arrival had made their lives “brighter and better.”
Meghan Markle Faces Backlash Over Photos Of Her Children
Meghan has often come under fire from social media users over the way she shares photos of her children online.
Since returning to Instagram, the Duchess of Sussex has posted several images of Archie and Lilibet, though their faces are typically hidden, blurred, or turned away from the camera.
Critics have argued that the posts appear to clash with Meghan’s public advocacy for children’s online safety, claiming she is still exposing the children to attention and commentary.
Meghan’s Team Pushes Back Against Online Criticism
Meghan’s team has rejected the criticism aimed at her for posting her children online. A spokesperson for the Duchess told Newsweek that there is a clear difference between sharing family moments and exposing children to public scrutiny.
“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 spokesperson said. “By obscuring their faces, she is demonstrating the very principle she advocates for: giving children privacy, agency, and protection in an increasingly digital world.”
The spokesperson added, “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.”
Prince Harry And Meghan Reportedly Face Cost-Cutting Pressure
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan continue to face rumors about their finances after several major business ventures failed to deliver long-term stability.
The couple’s Spotify deal ended, and their Netflix partnership has also evolved beyond the original terms. Meghan’s luxury lifestyle brand has similarly drawn questions over whether it has taken off as expected.
During an appearance on “The Royal Uncensored Podcast,” commentator Maureen Callahan claimed the Sussexes may need to reduce their expenses, pointing to reports that their cost of living remains high.
“They are having a lot of trouble monetizing what they used to monetize, which is their connection to the Royal Family, which was secrets of the Royal Family,” Callahan said. “The information supply has been choked off.”
“So, the stories are that they may need to downsize from that $14m Montecito mansion,” she continued, while also weighing in on rumors that Meghan may be looking for acting work.
