Although Meghan credited Harry for taking the photo, fans are mocking Harry’s nickname. The moment was captured by Prince Harry, whom Meghan credited in the caption as “Papa Sussex.”
The image, posted to Meghan’s Instagram on March 8, shows the Duchess holding her 4-year-old daughter while sitting near the shoreline.
One social media user wrote: “Papa Sussex? Just when you thought she hit peak cringe.”
One user questioned: “Can’t they use the American way of saying dad or daddy? I’ll bet they say papa with a French accent, too. Or maybe just special Lil gets to call her father, papa. Does poor neglected Arch have to say, Father, Duke of Sussex?”
A third joked: “I’m starting to think she doesn’t know Harry’s name lol.”
Another user posted an AI photo which showed Prince Harry dressed as a blue Smurf, referencing the cartoon character, Papa Smurf.
In the post accompanying the photo, Meghan reflected on the significance of the day while considering her daughter’s future. “For the woman she will one day be… Happy International Women’s Day,” she wrote.
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The post continues a tradition Meghan has developed in recent years of highlighting International Women’s Day through personal messages and photos highlighting women in her life.
With the Duchess dressed casually in a light blue shirt dress and her hair pulled into a simple bun, the candid moment felt both peaceful and deeply personal.
The post appeared to celebrate the bond between mother and daughter while reflecting Meghan’s long-standing advocacy for women’s empowerment.