The world got a glimpse of how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and one of their children celebrated the Fourth of July via a series of photos that leaked on social media.
Those same pictures have sparked concern, according to some royal experts who say that the pair might become prey to those eager to get their pictures when they are out in nature.
An Instagram user revealed that while she and her family were enjoying Independence Day in the mountain town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, she was surprised to see Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their son, Archie.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their young son were photographed as they watched a parade in honor of the national holiday.
In the online photos, Prince Harry was dressed in a simple grey T-shirt, matching pants, and a khaki cap. The British prince kept a watchful eye over his family as they enjoyed the festivities.
As for Markle, she kept things very casual in a white top, black jeans, and a large brown hat. The doting mother was seen stooping to Archie’s level to talk to him as he was busy sucking on a red lollipop.
The child, dressed in light blue, wore a red, white, and blue cap. Archie held on to a little American flag as he watched the delightful fireworks.
It is not known if Archie’s sister, Lilibet Diana, was in attendance.
The woman, who shared the photos on social media, gave some details about her encounter with the royals.
She wrote: “This big tough guy told us twice that he was saving seats for a family. I’m [like] “okay already, do you want us to move?” (Which, of course, we wouldn’t do). He said, “oh no, I just want you to know. I thought, well, “it must be the royal family” (very sarcastic thinking)!”
She added: “A minute late[r], Meg[h]an Markle and Prince Harry walk up with Little Archie! I thought, “well, dang, it is the royal family.” The big guy was the bodyguard. ‘Meg[h]an is gorgeous, and Harry and Archie are so cute.”
The social media user explained that she did not interrupt the Sussex family, who were joined by friends and at least one bodyguard.
The photos seemed to have pushed royal writer Daniela Elser to write a lengthy piece explaining that Prince Harry and Markle should be concerned about amateur and professional photographers preying on their children for a money shot.
She explained that while British photographers and paparazzi are nice and respectful, not the same could be said for the American ones.
Elser shared: “For centuries, America has sold itself to the world as the land of the free – but I’m not sure how free life can or will be for the Sussexes and their kids (especially as they get bigger) when the family represents possible ready cash or instant social media fame for anyone who might spot them in the wild.”
She added: “The whole family is, in short, valuable prey for anyone who might come across the family out and about. What will it mean for Archie and his little sister Lilibet to grow up in a country where there is a ready market for iPhone snaps of them?”
She also claimed: “The Sussex family might live on a seven-acre estate, but the minute they set foot outside those gates, they are unprotected from the glare of lenses, both professional and amateur.”
According to the author, Prince William and Kate Middleton‘s three children are enjoying privacy in London that their cousins cannot have in the United States.
She concluded by: “Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, by and large, left totally alone to get on with the business of growing up in the UK. The tabloid culture in the US is a far cry from that in the UK. For the last five years these kids have been raised in the very center of London (and less than 1km away from the head offices of the Daily Mail), and yet they are by and large left totally alone to get on with the business of growing up.”
Some observers say the outing was probably planned.
