Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Celebrate July 4th with Kids in California

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, along with their children, enjoyed a festive celebration on July 4th, embracing their American life in Montecito, California.

The Duke of Sussex, 38, and the Princess of Sussex attended an Independence Day parade near their home, as exclusive photos reveal.

The couple's 2-year-old daughter, Lilibet, joined them for the occasion, adding a touch of patriotism to the festivities.

An eyewitness captured a photo of the family, which also included their 4-year-old son, Archie.

In the pictures obtained by the press, Harry sported jeans, a green crew shirt, and a baseball cap, while Lilibet looked adorable in a blue and white floral dress, paired with white knit stockings and red shoes.

There was even a blurry image of the entire family standing next to a red parade car.

Interestingly, the photos show Harry and Meghan keeping their distance from each other, unlike previous public appearances.

It seems as though they had to appear together but were visibly upset with one another.

In one particular photo, Harry is seen holding Lilibet tightly as he runs through the crowd, leaving Meghan and Archie behind.

The paparazzi struggled to capture much due to the swift and unexpected turn of events.

This behavior suggests that Harry may be silently protesting against the intrusion of the media into their lives.

In an interview with ITV, the Duke of Sussex expressed his desire to shield his children from the pitfalls of fame and the toxic media environment.

He emphasized his commitment to ensuring that Archie and Lilibet have a normal and fulfilling childhood, free from the pressures of marketing and intrusive coverage.

It is likely that Harry's anger towards the paparazzi stems from his determination to protect his family, including his frustration with Meghan's involvement in staged photoshoots arranged by Backgrid, a photography agency allegedly hired by her.

These recent photos of the family come at a crucial time for Meghan, as her business deals have reportedly fallen through.

It appears to be a strategic move on her part to showcase Lily in public, possibly to salvage her image.

Moreover, the timing of releasing these photos, more than a day after the event, seems to coincide with King Charles' coronation in Scotland, suggesting Meghan's attempt to divert attention away from the royal proceedings.

Since stepping back as senior royals, Harry and Meghan have resided in their luxurious $14 million Montecito home, which boasts extensive amenities such as nine bedrooms, sixteen bathrooms, and even an outdoor chicken coop filled with rescued birds.

The estate spans five acres and features stunning rose gardens, century-old olive trees, an outdoor pizza oven, a pool, a playground, a vegetable garden, a tennis court, a two-bedroom guest house, a tea house, and a children's house.

Their celebrity neighbors include Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey, who famously interviewed the couple in March 2021.

Although the couple enjoyed their July 4th celebration in California, their presence was missed at the wedding of their friend Jack Mann and osteopath Isabella Clarke in Suffolk over the weekend.

Mann, who reportedly served as Harry's unofficial best man at his own wedding to Markle in May 2018, had to do without the royal couple's attendance.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continue to navigate their new lives away from the royal spotlight, prioritizing the well-being of their children and striving for a sense of normalcy amidst the constant media scrutiny.