Meghan Markle has shared a previously unseen photograph of her son, Prince Archie, as part of a heartfelt tribute to the late feminist icon Gloria Steinem. The image, posted on Instagram on September 2, 2026, shows Steinem reaching toward the young prince at the Sussexes’ home in Montecito, California, with Archie’s face covered by a white heart emoji. The post came shortly after news broke that Steinem had passed away at the age of 92 at her New York City home.
The tribute has drawn significant attention, as photos of Prince Archie are relatively rare. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been intentional about controlling public images of their children, making this glimpse into their family life particularly noteworthy. The photograph captures a tender moment between the legendary feminist activist and the young prince, underscoring the deep personal connection Steinem shared with the Sussex family.
Meghan’s Instagram post featured a carousel of images celebrating Steinem’s life and legacy. The photograph of Steinem with Archie is accompanied by other images documenting their friendship, including what appears to be a framed picture displayed in the Sussexes’ home.
The image shows Steinem reaching toward Archie, whose face is obscured by a white heart emoji — a deliberate choice that aligns with Meghan and Prince Harry’s approach to protecting their children’s privacy. The location is confirmed as the Sussexes’ Montecito, California residence, where the family has lived since stepping back from royal duties in 2020.
Gloria Steinem, who died on September 2, 2026, was one of the most influential figures in the American feminist movement. A writer, activist, and journalist, she co-founded Ms. magazine and dedicated her life to advocating for equal pay, reproductive rights, and women’s equality.
Steinem’s legacy extended far beyond her activism. She was known for her wit, wisdom, and ability to connect with people across generations. Her famous phrase, “We are linked, not ranked,” became a guiding principle for many who admired her work. That sentiment also inspired a bracelet Steinem gave to Meghan, which the Duchess says she still wears with pride.
Meghan and Steinem’s friendship dates back several years. Their bond was built on shared values and a mutual commitment to advocacy and social justice. The two women worked together on various initiatives, including a widely publicized “backyard chat” during the pandemic about the importance of voting. They also appeared together at award ceremonies and other public events.
In her tribute, Meghan revealed that their relationship went far deeper than public appearances. Steinem spent Thanksgiving with the Sussex family in Montecito, and Meghan described her as someone who “loved our children with her whole heart.” She also noted that Steinem had counseled her during difficult times and offered “extraordinary advice and perspective with a cup of tea and an unrivalled cheekiness and wit.”
Meghan also revealed the sweet nickname she had for Steinem: “GLO.” In sharing her favorite memory, Meghan recounted a story where a woman approached Steinem in New York wanting to introduce her young daughter to the activist. When the woman expressed concern that her daughter might not know who Steinem was, Steinem replied: “It doesn’t matter if she knows who I am. What matters is that she knows who SHE is.”
The photograph of Steinem with Archie is consistent with how Meghan and Prince Harry have chosen to share their family life. Their children — Archie and Princess Lilibet — are rarely shown in full-face images. This approach aligns with their stated desire to protect their children’s privacy and allow them to grow up away from the intense media scrutiny that often accompanies royal family members.
This latest photo follows other rare glimpses the Sussexes have shared. In July 2025, Meghan posted images from the family’s U.K. visit, including a photo believed to have been taken at Althorp, Princess Diana’s childhood home. Earlier in 2026, she shared photos of Archie and Harry playing in their Montecito garden. Each instance is carefully curated, offering fans a glimpse into their lives while maintaining boundaries.
The photograph in Meghan’s tribute captures a quiet moment at the Montecito home. Steinem is shown reaching toward Archie, whose face is obscured by a white heart emoji. The image appears warm and personal, reflecting the close relationship Steinem shared with the Sussex family.
Meghan has consistently posted images where her children are photographed from behind, with their faces covered, or at a distance. This approach allows her to share family moments without fully revealing their identities. In this case, the focus is on the connection between Steinem and Archie, rather than on the child himself.
In her tribute, Meghan described Steinem as her “friend and mentor” and reflected on the legacy she left behind. She acknowledged Steinem’s public achievements while emphasizing the personal side of their relationship.
“Celebrating the life and legacy of my friend and mentor, Gloria Steinem, and also grateful to know that in these last few weeks and days she knew exactly how loved and admired she was,” Meghan wrote. She also shared: “My very favorite story about GLO is when she was out one day in NY, and a woman approached her in absolute awe and said she wanted to introduce her young daughter to her… Gloria replied: ‘It doesn’t matter if she knows who I am. What matters is that she knows who SHE is.'”
The tribute has generated mixed reactions. Many praised Meghan for honoring Steinem and sharing a rare family photo, while others accused the Duchess of making the tribute about herself. Royal author Tom Sykes criticized the post, saying, “Gloria Steinem passed away, and Meghan somehow manages to make it all about her. This is a tribute to Gloria in which the star of the story is, over and over, Meghan.”
Despite the criticism, the tribute has been widely reported and has drawn attention to both Steinem’s legacy and the Sussex family’s private life.
Meghan shared a previously unseen photo of Prince Archie as part of a tribute to Gloria Steinem, who had recently passed away. The image was included in a carousel of photos celebrating Steinem’s life and legacy.
Gloria Steinem was a feminist writer, activist, and journalist who co-founded Ms. magazine and was a leader in the American women’s rights movement. She passed away on September 2, 2026, at the age of 92.
Meghan considered Steinem a “friend and mentor.” They collaborated on public initiatives and shared a private friendship that included Steinem spending Thanksgiving with the Sussex family and offering Meghan advice during difficult times.
The photo was taken at Meghan and Prince Harry’s home in Montecito, California.
No, Archie’s face was covered by a white heart emoji, consistent with the Sussexes’ approach to protecting their children’s privacy.
Meghan and Prince Harry have intentionally limited public images of their children to protect their privacy. They rarely share full-face photos.
Meghan described Steinem as her “friend and mentor” and praised her legacy while also sharing personal memories, including Steinem spending Thanksgiving with the family and offering advice during difficult times.
The tribute highlights the personal friendship between two influential women and includes a rare glimpse into the Sussex family’s private life. It also honors Steinem’s legacy at a time when her impact on American feminism remains deeply relevant.
The White House has launched a new website featuring arcade-style games that promote President Donald…
If you've been living in kitten heels all summer, it's time to start thinking about…
What if your next big-ticket purchase on Amazon wasn't a smart TV or a Dyson…
Stella Parton has publicly addressed the loss of her legendary sister, Dolly Parton, issuing a…
There's something about the shift from summer to fall that makes you want to refresh…
Finding the perfect pair of work pants often feels like an impossible compromise. You want…