On May 4, 2025, the Duchess of Sussex gave her followers a glimpse into a warm familial moment shared between the Duke of Sussex and their kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The widely-discussed Instagram image, which prompted speculative comments online, follows Prince Harry losing his court appeal concerning his legal battle over the downgrade of his U.K. security.

Netizen comment about Prince Archie and Prince Harry, posted on May 4, 2025. | Source: X/@coolornottbd

The picture

Meghan shared — absent of a caption — speaks entirely through its composition. Set against the lush serenity of a well-manicured garden, the black-and-white photo captures Harry from behind, walking barefoot on the grass with his children.

Archie, holding his father's hand, walks closely beside him, while Lilibet is perched atop her dad's shoulders, her tiny legs dangling as she's carried forward. Towering trees and blooming bushes frame the trio, creating a soft, almost dreamlike backdrop that evokes a sense of tranquility.

The open gate in the foreground invites the viewer into the scene, subtly reinforcing the idea of vulnerability and access — a rare glimpse into the family's private world, offered without a single word.

As the serene image made its rounds online, reactions poured in — and they were far from uniform. Many viewers honed in on Archie, with several commenting on his surprising stature.

One person

remarked

, "My, how Archie has grown," while another

echoed

the sentiment, "If Archie is just 5 – [sic] he is very tall for his age." A similar observation came from someone else, who

wrote

, "Oh suddenly the Arch appears to be taller...given the height of his parents that's unexpected [sic]."

Expressing doubt over the child's identity, one commenter

marveled

, "Is this supposed to be Archi!!! He looks tall, as a 10 years old kid [sic]."

Questions surrounding the image's authenticity began surfacing, too. One observer honed in on specific details of the photo, such as Harry's legs and his son's height,

wondering

if the image was altered in any way.

Another posed a more general suspicion,

penning

, "Picture looks photoshopped. Harry's left ankle has an odd bend."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leaving the 2025 TIME100 Summit in New York City on April 23, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

The same oddity was

highlighted

in a separate reaction — "Oh No, poor Harry! Has he broken his left ankle? That's an extremely odd looking [sic] bend there, on an inordinately long lower leg!" Someone else

added

, "Poor Harry's left leg snapped at the shin [sic]."

Lastly, one netizen shifted focus back to Archie,

questioning

, "What is wrong with Archie. [sic] Something doesn't look right."

Prince Archie looking at roses, posted on April 28, 2025. | Source: Instagram/meghan

The swirling commentary surrounding Meghan's photo, much of it speculative and critical, emerged only days after Harry's

revealing interview

with the BBC. Aired on May 2, 2025, the conversation painted a far more somber picture behind the scenes of the Sussexes' public life.

Speaking candidly from California, Harry expressed his desire to reconnect with his estranged relatives,

sharing

, "I would love reconciliation with my family [...] there's no point in continuing to fight anymore."

Prince Harry during his interview with the BBC, posted on May 2, 2025. | Source: YouTube/BBC News

Despite acknowledging that some wounds may never fully heal, particularly following the publication of his memoir, "Spare," the Duke of Sussex

insisted

that "life is precious" and emphasized that reconciliation cannot happen without truth.

Yet, a hopeful tone gave way to resignation as he admitted to being currently cut off from his father, King Charles III. "He won't speak to me because of this security stuff," Harry

stated

. He even reflected on his father's mortality,

asserting

, "I don't know how much longer my father has."

Prince Harry and King Charles III at a Commemoration of the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme in Thiepval, France on July 1, 2016. | Source: Getty Images

The prince also revealed that although he longs for resolution, he believes Charles remains unwilling to engage. "I don't think he'd ever want to talk about it," Harry

divulged

.

In the wake of the final decision concerning Harry's

legal appeal

over his right to receive police protection while visiting the U.K., the prince claimed that he had never been offered the chance to advocate for himself during the decision-making process.

King Charles III stands before his son Prince Harry during the late Queen Elizabeth II's ceremonial procession in London, England on September 14, 2022. | Source: Getty Images

"The first place that they went to was the palace to understand what it is that the royal household or what the royal family wants for me," he

explained

, hinting that the royal household's stance had significantly influenced the outcome. "I have never ever been allowed or, uh, offered to make my own representations."

Despite expressing a deep yearning to heal familial rifts, Harry made it clear in the same interview that a return to Britain with his wife and children is not on the horizon.

King Charles III and Prince Harry at the "International Year of The Reef" meeting in London, England on February 14, 2018. | Source: Getty Images

"I can't see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point," he

admitted

. Harry spoke about what Archie and Lilibet would miss by being away from his homeland — "everything," he

said

simply, later

adding

, "I miss the U.K. I miss parts of the U.K. Of course I do."

That painful distance, he suggested, is directly tied to his ongoing security concerns — worries he claims were never properly addressed.

Harry recounted how, at the beginning of 2020, he had been assessed as carrying the highest level of personal risk. Yet overnight, that rating was inexplicably reduced to the lowest, without going through the usual Risk Management Board process.

"One does question how that is even possible and also the motive behind that at the time," he

reflected

. What troubled him even more was the lack of any new assessment in the five years since.

Prince Harry arriving at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, England on April 8, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

"Everybody else within this group of people gets it at the minimum once a year," he

pointed out

. Throughout the legal proceedings, the prince said he uncovered facts that confirmed his worst fears.

"I have all of the truth, I have all of the knowledge now throughout the legal process," he

emphasized

, calling out what he described as a structural failure in accountability.

Prince Harry at the Biathlon event during day three of the 2025 Invictus Games in Whistler, British Columbia on February 11, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Most shocking, he revealed, was learning that members of the royal household — including the king's private secretary — sit on the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC), the body responsible for royal security decisions.

"My jaw hit the floor," Harry

recalled

, stating that he had not known of their involvement until 2021, two years into the dispute.

While he stopped short of blaming his father directly, he

offered

a poignant clarification, "I've never asked him to intervene. I've asked him to step out of the way and let the experts do their job."

King Charles III and Prince Harry arriving at St George's Chapel inside Windsor Castle in London, England on September 19, 2022. | Source: Getty Images

Just two days before Meghan's endearing Instagram photo, the courts handed down a

definitive ruling

on the matter that has haunted Harry for years.

Regarding Harry's appeal concerning his security status in the U.K., on May 2, 2025, the Court of Appeal

concluded

, "Accordingly, the Duke of Sussex's appeal would be dismissed."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, British Columbia on February 8, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

The ruling came after a protracted legal battle between Harry and the U.K. Home Department, in which the Duke challenged the 2020 decision to downgrade his official security after stepping back from royal duties.

That decision, made by the RAVEC, withdrew automatic police protection for Harry and Meghan during visits to the U.K.

Prince Harry speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, British Columbia on February 8, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

The court acknowledged that the RAVEC did not follow its own 2017 policy, which typically requires an annual review by the Risk Management Board. However, it

maintained

that the committee had "good reason" for doing so, citing Harry's changed circumstances and his relocation abroad.

Despite the emotional weight behind Harry's arguments — including

testimony

from his legal team that "the Duke of Sussex's life was at stake" — the court ultimately found that his grievance did not meet the threshold for a legal complaint.

Prince Harry at the New York Times annual DealBook summit in New York City on December 4, 2024. | Source: Getty Images

Judges agreed that the Duke had been treated differently from other royals, but not unjustifiably so. They emphasized that the RAVEC's decision was rooted in national security expertise, shifting governance structures, and the evolving nature of Harry's visits to the U.K., which were deemed unpredictable and infrequent.

Though the court acknowledged that Harry's military service and public profile made him a potential target, it upheld the RAVEC's stance that future security should be determined case by case.

Prince Harry at the start of a TV interview during pre-game festivities before the start of the 2024 Grey Cup in Vancouver, Canada on November 17, 2024. | Source: Getty Images

Overall, the court maintained that these decisions, while perhaps disappointing, were neither illogical nor unreasonable. In the end, the verdict marked a sobering conclusion to a years-long struggle, one that has left

Prince Harry

feeling exposed both literally and figuratively.

This news comes weeks after his demeanor during an appearance at a London court on April 8, to make an appeal, was examined by body language expert Judi James.

Prince Harry departs after attending a Court of Appeal hearing regarding his security at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, England on April 8, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Speaking exclusively to Express, she

stated,

"With his brisk, swaggering walk and his jacket unbuttoned it would be reasonable to describe Harry's chosen projected body language mood here as 'cocky.'"

Prince Harry is photographed after attending a Court of Appeal hearing. | Source: Getty Images

Judi further

observed

that his chest was "puffed and he throws some brusque, celebrity waves to either press or maybe fans waiting to watch him, creating the suggestion that he sees himself as rather heroic and even popular for his current UK court appearance."

Prince Harry is seen waving one of his hands as he leaves the Royal Courts of Justice, Chancery Lane. | Source: Getty Images

While this behavior may have suggested confidence, Judi noted signs that could have pointed to inner unease.

"There is one cue or 'tell' though that suggests he might not be feeling quite as brave as he seems to want to make out and that is the frequent touch on the tie or stomach here that creates an excuse for a self-protective barrier gesture," she

said

.

Prince Harry departs the Royal Courts of Justice. | Source: Getty Images

Judi

added,

"As a ritual it is similar to his father's trait of playing with a cuff or watch strap to enable him to lift one arm up in front of his torso."

According to BBC News

, Harry arrived at the court shortly after 9:30 a.m. BST. He entered with a small security team supported by court officers and was seen waving to cameras before using a private entrance.

Reporters

called out questions

and wanted to know if he planned to meet with his father, Charles, but the Duke did not respond.

Inside the courtroom, Harry sat in the center during the proceedings. His legal team, led by barrister Shaheed Fatima KC,

argued

that he had been "singled out" for unequal treatment. She

claimed

the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) failed to follow its procedures by not consulting security experts before altering his taxpayer-funded protection.

The case centered on a government decision that modified the Duke's security arrangements in the U.K. Harry contends that this change placed him and his family at risk.

He has previously stressed the need for safety, especially for his children, and expressed his desire for them to feel secure when visiting the country.

In earlier proceedings, the High Court ruled that the RAVEC's actions were not unlawful. However, the government's legal team pushed back on the written submissions presented during this appeal.

The Duke of Sussex is seen exiting the Royal Courts of Justice. | Source: Getty Images

They argued the prince's case was

based on

"small parts of the evidence" and

reflected

"a continued failure to see the wood for the trees."

Harry's April 8 court appearance, marked by visible confidence and subtle gestures of tension, came as he pursued legal action to restore a consistent security detail in the U.K.

Prince Harry arrives at Britain's High Court in London for his legal fight over U.K. security. | Source: Getty Images

While his legal team challenged the fairness of the decision-making process, the government continued to defend its position.