Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have earned their place as the eternal champions of privacy drama and puzzling decision-making.
If only they had taken a page—or perhaps an entire chapter—from the parenting guide of Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, we might have been spared this never-ending spectacle. Harry and Meghan’s relentless obsession with privacy has defined their narrative from the beginning. While protecting one’s children is certainly important, they’ve elevated it to an Olympic sport. Meanwhile, Edward and Sophie have quietly demonstrated a balanced and effective approach to raising their children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, offering a parenting masterclass rooted in common sense and dignity.
From the outset, Edward and Sophie made deliberate choices about their children’s royal status. Despite being entitled to HRH titles at birth, the couple chose not to bestow them on Louise and James. Sophie once explained, "We try to bring them up with the understanding that they are very likely to have to work for a living." This real-world preparation has helped the children grow up with a grounded perspective, free from the trappings of grandeur that often accompany royal titles. Harry and Meghan, on the other hand, embraced titles for their children with gusto, officially naming Archie and Lilibet as prince and princess despite their California residence, where such titles carry little weight beyond sounding like quirky celebrity monikers.
Edward and Sophie’s pragmatic parenting approach has allowed their children to make decisions about royal titles when they are mature enough to do so. Louise, now 21, has opted not to use her HRH title, and it remains to be seen whether James, who turns 18 soon, will follow suit. Contrast this with Harry and Meghan, who seemed eager to flaunt their children’s royal status from the outset, despite their ongoing estrangement from the institution itself.
Edward and Sophie’s approach to their children’s public debut also stands in stark contrast to that of Harry and Meghan. Louise and James were proudly presented to the world on the hospital steps after their births, a traditional gesture that maintained transparency. Archie and Lilibet, however, were shrouded in secrecy, fueling wild speculation, from surrogate rumors to conspiracy theories about their existence. This secrecy has only amplified public curiosity and scrutiny, undermining Harry and Meghan’s desire for privacy.
Family relationships further highlight the differences. Louise was the apple of her grandfather Prince Philip’s eye, sharing his passion for carriage driving and even taking the reins of his carriage at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Archie and Lilibet, by contrast, spent little time with Queen Elizabeth II or Prince Philip. Naming their daughter Lilibet after the late Queen might have been a touching tribute, but in the wake of their tell-all Oprah interview and subsequent Netflix series, it felt more like a calculated PR move.
The educational paths of Edward and Sophie’s children are also notable for their discretion. Louise is currently studying English at St. Andrews University, while James recently completed his GCSEs at Radley College. Their schooling has been private and drama-free, with no paparazzi lurking at the gates or media meltdowns to contend with. This starkly contrasts Meghan’s reported fears of hypothetical media intrusion at her children’s future schools.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, emerges as the royal role model Meghan Markle never sought but arguably needed. Classy, grounded, and adept at navigating media scrutiny, Sophie has managed to maintain a dignified public image while protecting her family’s privacy. Even Queen Elizabeth reportedly suggested that Meghan could learn a thing or two from Sophie. Unfortunately, that advice seems to have gone unheeded, overshadowed by Harry and Meghan’s focus on crafting their next media project.
Edward and Sophie’s parenting proves that it is entirely possible to raise children who are both private and present, royal yet relatable. Louise and James are well-adjusted and likable, standing in stark contrast to the enigmatic existence of Archie and Lilibet, who have become symbols of their parents’ contentious relationship with the royal family and the media.
If Harry and Meghan had taken cues from Edward and Sophie, they might have avoided much of the gossip and speculation that now surrounds them. Instead, their children are caught in a peculiar limbo where their titles mean little, and their privacy is safeguarded in ways that only deepen public intrigue. Ultimately, Edward and Sophie, the understated heroes of royal parenting, have shown that it’s possible to honor tradition while preparing children for the realities of life. Harry and Meghan would do well to take notes—or better yet, take a step back and let Edward and Sophie show how it’s done.
