A commentator has weighed in on the real reason behind Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet's frequent appearances on mum Meghan Markle's social media. The Duchess of Sussex has shared various glimpses of her private life with her two children in Montecito, California, this year.

Meghan showed her children helping her bake and spending time with her in the garden as they enjoy the Californian sunshine, miles away from Harry's home country. The children's faces cannot be seen in either videos or photos, in a bid to keep their privacy away from the spotlight. Harry and Meghan settled in Montecito, California, in 2020, after they stepped down as senior working royals.

Now, a commentator has questioned the true motives behind the Sussex children's prominent online presence, despite the Sussex couple's strong advocacy of their privacy since stepping down.

Writing in the Daily Mail, former politician Nadine Dorries asked: "So, after years of keeping Archie and Lilibet out of view – apart from the release of sanctioned images – why are they suddenly cropping up now?

"Is it because their presence might be perceived as helping Meghan’s aspirational lifestyle brand, As Ever, sold as it is on the idea of perfection in the home and joyful family life as she projects the all-Californian image of motherhood and apple pie?"

Ms Dorries also touched on the impact of Meghan’s Confessions of a Female Founder podcast, before adding: "I understand that Harry was adamant that his children's lives would be free of the public gaze - which is unavoidable for their cousins George, Charlotte and Louis back in the UK.

"Suddenly we have sweet videos of the children posted on Meghan’s Instagram account, a surefire way of securing headlines in newspapers and media sites worldwide.

"I can’t honestly believe that Harry will be entirely happy with his children being seen on social media in this way."

It comes as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex called for stronger protections for children when it comes to social media.

In an interview with BBC Breakfast last week, Harry and Meghan said they want more to be done to protect children online, with the duke saying he is "grateful" that his children are currently too young to use social platforms.

Harry said: "We want to make sure that things are changed so that... no more kids are lost to social media. Life is better off social media.

"We're just grateful that our kids are too young to be on social media at this point."