Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, recently sparked online criticism after sharing a photo of her 3-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet, on a boat without a life jacket.

The image, part of a series posted in honor of International Women’s Day, featured Prince Harry holding Lilibet on a boat, with water visible in the background.

Social media users were quick to express concerns about the lack of safety precautions. One user criticized, “Prince Harry & Meghan Markle are so good at showing the world how much they suck at being parents. What f****ng moron doesn’t put their child in a safety vest while boating?” Another added, “Family has been in the boating industry for four generations; a very big no no! Things happen in a blink of an eye.”

This backlash underscores the intense scrutiny public figures face regarding their parenting choices, especially when it comes to child safety. Experts in boating safety emphasize the importance of life jackets for children, with the U.S.

Coast Guard recommending that all children under 13 wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on a moving vessel. These guidelines aim to reduce the risk of drowning, one of the leading causes of accidental death among young children.

Along with the boating photo, Markle’s post included other personal snapshots: a recent picture with her mother, Doria Ragland, a beachside moment with Prince Harry, and a black-and-white childhood photo featuring her mother. She captioned the collection, “Celebrating the strong women around us & the girls with dreams who will become women with vision. Also thanking those who uplift us every day.”

Ongoing Public Scrutiny

This isn’t the first time the Sussexes have faced public backlash over their parenting choices. Their high-profile status means their decisions—whether personal or professional—are frequently dissected by both supporters and critics.

Beyond this controversy, Meghan Markle has also been in the news for her Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan.