Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s relationship with the rest of the royal family has always been scrutinised. Paul Burrell, Princess Diana’s former butler, says he knows the precise moment things started to unravel. He believes the initial issue was not a major interview or a move to America. Instead, it was a symbolic choice that happened in May 2019. It was right after Archie was born. Harry and Meghan refused the traditional hospital photo call. Keep scrolling to learn more.
Meghan Markle and Harry’s Choice That Shook the Royals
The whole world waited for a familiar picture. It was one of the new parents outside the hospital. They would be holding their newborn baby. It was what Charles and Diana did. William and Kate did it three times, but Harry and Meghan didn’t.
Instead, they waited two days and introduced Archie inside Windsor Castle in a private photocall, away from the usual scene of flashing cameras. Burrell believes that the single choice was a turning point. “It wasn’t just avoiding photographers,” he said. “It was a message, and the family knew it.”
Royal photographer Zak Hussein later admitted the public had expected those hospital steps photos, and their absence was striking. A former royal correspondent also remarked that the couple were beginning to bypass the traditional press in favour of controlling their own story. It was more than just a photo call. To insiders, it suggested that Harry and Meghan wanted to reshape the way they handle the media. That instinct grew in the years that followed, eventually leading to their step back from royal duties.
The Ripple Effect and Reflections
The discussion also extended to Archie’s title. Reports suggest Harry and Meghan wanted to give their son privacy. Some praised the move as modern and sensible. Others saw it as yet another sign the couple was moving further from the traditions that define the monarchy.
Burrell called it “the first crack.” The public saw a small decision. The palace saw a deliberate shift. She still thinks about it. Motherhood was so overwhelming with royal expectations. She sometimes looks back in disbelief. Archie is six. He is growing up far away. But his arrival is still a big topic. That was a major moment. For more royal news and updates, keep following Soap Opera Daily.