The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is once again facing scrutiny from the public — this time over a seemingly innocent social media post celebrating her wedding anniversary. As she marked five years since her royal wedding to Prince Harry, fans and royal watchers quickly noticed that Meghan had left out a very important detail in her anniversary message, sparking debate and criticism online.

The Anniversary Post That Sparked Controversy

On May 19th, Meghan took to Instagram via her lifestyle brand “American Riviera Orchard” to share a soft, romantic photo believed to be from her and Harry’s 2018 wedding. The post, minimalist in style, simply featured a snapshot of Meghan’s bouquet resting on a windowsill, along with the caption: “Five years. Grateful. Love always.”

While the sentiment was gentle and reflective, the response from followers was mixed. Though many fans congratulated the couple and praised the post’s aesthetics, others pointed out something glaring: Meghan failed to mention Prince Harry at all in the post.

There was no tag, no mention of his name, and not even a “we” in the caption — just “grateful” and “love always.” For some followers, that omission seemed odd, and for others, downright disrespectful.

Social Media Reacts: “Where Is Harry?”

Within hours of the post going live, it was flooded with comments from followers who were confused or disappointed by the lack of direct mention of Prince Harry.

“Umm… happy anniversary, but where’s Harry in this?” one commenter asked. Another wrote, “It’s literally a wedding anniversary, and she doesn’t even mention her husband?”

Some users speculated whether the omission was accidental or deliberate. A few conspiracy theories began to swirl, with suggestions that Meghan and Harry might be facing marital difficulties, while others argued that Meghan may have wanted the post to reflect her own personal journey rather than the couple’s.

Still, Meghan’s supporters were quick to jump to her defense.

“Not everything has to be spelled out. It’s HER page. She’s showing gratitude for love, and obviously Harry is included in that,” one fan wrote.

A Pattern of Individual Branding?

This isn’t the first time Meghan has been accused of centering herself in moments meant to highlight her relationship or shared milestones. Critics have previously pointed out that her media appearances, podcast themes, and even brand launches often focus more on Meghan’s personal identity and experiences than her life as a royal or partner to Prince Harry.

The timing of the Instagram post also coincides with increased speculation about the couple’s future branding. Meghan has recently relaunched herself with the soft launch of her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, which is expected to feature cookbooks, home goods, and wellness content. The brand’s promotional strategy seems to be Meghan-centric, with little sign of Harry involved so far.

Some analysts believe this signals a shift toward more individual projects for both Meghan and Harry in the future.

The Royal Family Stays Silent

As usual, Buckingham Palace and senior royals have not commented on the social media buzz surrounding Meghan’s post. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and have since lived in Montecito, California.

While the British press continues to follow the couple’s every move, Meghan and Harry have largely remained out of the public eye in 2024, with fewer appearances and less direct interaction with the media compared to previous years.

Still, royal insiders have hinted that behind-the-scenes tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family remain unresolved. That may explain why Meghan’s subtle choices in social media posts are so heavily scrutinized—they are seen by many as intentional messaging, or as subtle digs.

Is the Criticism Fair?

Experts in digital communication argue that public figures, especially those as polarizing as Meghan Markle, are often held to unrealistic standards.

“People read a lot into very little when it comes to Meghan,” says PR analyst Louise Whitaker. “The post could have simply been an artistic or aesthetic choice. But because it’s Meghan, and because the public expects certain royal norms, anything different is seen as suspect.”

Whitaker also adds that personal branding, especially in the lifestyle space, tends to focus on the individual voice of the founder. “Meghan is not positioning American Riviera Orchard as a couples’ brand. It’s her vision. That doesn’t mean she’s ignoring Harry.”

Final Thoughts

Whether Meghan’s omission was an oversight or a carefully curated branding decision, one thing is certain: the public is watching. In a world where royal couples are expected to model unity and tradition, Meghan’s minimalistic and solo-toned post felt off to some — and empowering to others.

As Meghan continues to forge her own path in the lifestyle and media space, balancing public expectations with personal expression will remain one of her biggest challenges. But if history is any indication, she’s not afraid to do things her own way — even if it means leaving a few words unsaid.