William and Kate post a muted portrait as Meghan calls Harry and Lilibet “forever Valentines”

The Prince and Princess of Wales marked Valentine’s Day with a subdued black-and-white portrait, while Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, offered a rare glimpse into her family life by sharing a photo of Prince Harry with their daughter, Lilibet.

William and Kate posted their image on the social media platform X on Saturday, accompanied by a simple message: “Happy Valentine’s Day.” The photograph shows the couple sitting side by side in a field, dressed casually and leaning gently towards one another. The tone is calm, understated and intimate without overt displays of affection.

The choice of image contrasts with last year’s Valentine’s post. On 14 February 2025, the couple shared a colour photograph of Prince William kissing Kate on the cheek as they sat together on a rug in a forest setting. That image had been taken from a video released to announce that Kate had completed her cancer treatment. The public show of affection came after a challenging year in which she underwent abdominal surgery and chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer.

This year’s portrait, by comparison, feels more restrained. There is no kiss, no overt embrace. Instead, the black-and-white styling gives the image a timeless, almost reflective quality. It marks only the second time the Prince and Princess of Wales have publicly commemorated Valentine’s Day with a shared photograph.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Meghan shared her own Valentine’s message. Posting on social media, she described her family as her “forever Valentines” and included a rare photograph of Prince Harry with their four-year-old daughter, Lilibet. The image offered an intimate view of the Duke of Sussex spending time with his daughter, something the couple seldom share publicly.

The Sussexes have historically guarded their children’s privacy, making such glimpses unusual. Meghan’s caption emphasised family unity and affection, focusing on her husband and children rather than romantic symbolism alone. The tone of her post appeared warm and personal, centred firmly on home life.

The coordinated timing of both posts inevitably drew attention. As senior working royals, William and Kate’s public messaging is often carefully considered. Their understated image arrives at a time when the Royal Family continues to deal with renewed scrutiny over allegations linked to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s historical association with Jeffrey Epstein.

Although the Valentine’s posts were unrelated to those developments, the broader context adds weight to every public appearance and message from the family. The Waleses’ portrait projects stability and continuity, while Meghan’s post highlights her life away from the UK.

Valentine’s Day has not traditionally been a major moment in the royal calendar. The late Queen rarely marked the occasion publicly, and previous generations did not routinely share personal messages on the day. The Waleses’ decision to continue the tradition they began in 2025 suggests a willingness to connect with the public in a more personal, modern way.

Similarly, Meghan’s choice to share a private family photograph reflects the Sussexes’ evolving approach to public engagement. Since stepping back from royal duties, Harry and Meghan have balanced visibility with privacy, occasionally offering curated insights into their home life.

Together, the posts reveal two distinct but parallel royal narratives. One presents a future king and queen consort sharing a composed, symbolic moment. The other shows a father and daughter in a candid family scene, framed by Meghan’s declaration of lasting love.

On a day devoted to affection, both couples chose images that speak softly rather than dramatically. Yet in the world of the modern monarchy, even the simplest portrait carries meaning far beyond the frame.