It all unfolded at an Independence Day Parade in Montecito, where Harry was photographed alongside the little princess just hours before her grandfather's scheduled appearance in Edinburgh.
While the Sussexes' desire to seize the royal family's spotlight seems evident, a more surprising detail has emerged.
This marked the first time that their two-year-old daughter, Lily, made a public appearance. Adorned in a delightful outfit paying tribute to her father, the Duke of Sussex, the young princess was held by Harry as they were captured in parade photographs.
Lily wore an enchanting patriotic blue and white floral dress, complemented by red Mary Janes reminiscent of the ones Harry wore during his own childhood in the mid-1980s.
However, keen observers couldn't help but notice the peculiar way in which Harry held his daughter. His hand position appeared higher than usual, deviating from the norm of how a parent should hold a child.
This unconventional stance could lead to quick fatigue in his hands, raising questions about Harry's familiarity with proper infant handling despite two years of experience as a father.
Interestingly, even King Charles appears more naturally at ease with children than Harry. While the Sussexes claimed to handle childcare themselves without the assistance of a nanny, Harry's awkwardness in holding a baby on this occasion raises eyebrows.
Furthermore, Meghan and their elder child, Archie, were only faintly seen from a distance, fueling suspicions of potential image manipulation on Meghan's part. Reports suggest that Archie couldn't be present due to complications with his biological mother, resulting in staged moments featuring only Harry and Lily.
Drawing parallels, some recall how Princess Charlotte wore her uncle's red shoes as a toddler in 2017. Notably, Lilj's shoes appear to be a new pair, featuring different strap closures. Completing her adorable ensemble, the Sussex princess donned lacy white knee socks and a navy ribbon adorning her red pigtails. Meanwhile, Prince Harry opted for jeans, a green shirt with rolled-up sleeves, and tried to maintain a low profile with sunglasses and a baseball cap.
Exclusive photos obtained by Royal News revealed the presence of the Duchess of Saw Sykes and Archie at the parade. The Duchess was seen in what appeared to be a blue dress, while Archie sported jeans and a white shirt. In contrast, Charles, Camilla, William, and Catherine were attending the Scottish coronation, leaving Harry and Meghan to face the attention of the paparazzi alone.
However, their attempt to celebrate July 4th while clinging to their royal titles failed to garner significant interest, leading to criticism directed at Harry for engaging in staged child-related events without Meghan's presence.
Speculations arise regarding Harry and Meghan's plans to relinquish their children's titles, potentially playing their final card. However, public interest in the couple's children has significantly waned, casting doubt on the effectiveness of such a decision.
Nevertheless, they persist, even as the British media chooses to blur Lily's face, while American tabloids display her unobscured. Predictably, certain individuals may assign blame to the British media, creating a convenient scapegoat in the ongoing narrative.
Interestingly, Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, lives a mere two hours away in Los Angeles. Surprisingly, Harry and Meghan opted not to attend their friend Jackman's wedding to osteopath Isabella Clark, instead choosing to celebrate July 4th in California.
