Meghan's picture post backlash

A Valentine's snap shared by the Duchess of Sussex has sparked fresh criticism as a royal expert tells new it goes against Meghan and Harry's usual stance on privacy

- Mitya Underwood

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has been branded a "hypocrite" on social media after releasing a photo showing the side of her daughter's face, in what marks a major U-turn for the privacy-seeking family.

The former actress posted a snap of four-year-old Lilibet clutching a bunch of red balloons while in her father Prince Harry's arms on Valentine's Day.

"These two + Archie = my forever Valentines," she captioned the candid photo, which didn't include her six-year-old son.

While the surprising post warmed the hearts of many, some fear Meghan may come to regret the move, especially as husband Harry has spent years demanding increased privacy for his California-based family.

"I would think they have had some pretty fiery rows about the topic, because it's not at all how Harry wanted it to be," royal expert and author Ingrid Seward tells new.

"They have completely ignored the fact that they said they were leaving the royal family because they wanted a more private life, and they have created anything but that for themselves. It appears they left the family because they wanted a public life and to earn money."

Given Harry's strong views on protecting his family from the spotlight, Ingrid says Meghan's decision to share the intimate photo with her 4.4 million Instagram followers is "baffling" and a likely source of tension between the couple.