The Duke of Sussex spoke emotionally about his unhappiness growing up in a Royal Family in which his future was mapped out before him, and declared that he wanted to ‘break the cycle’ of ‘genetic pain’ for his own children.

He suggested in 2021 that he had moved to the US with his wife Meghan to ensure that his own childhood experiences were not repeated. He said he realised in his 20s that he did not want the royal ‘job’, having seen what it did to his mother, Princess Diana, and wrote in his tawdry memoirs, Spare, about the struggle of having a predetermined role in life.

So imagine the astonishment of Prince Harry’s old friends and family members to learn that he and his wife are already apparently planning a public role for their children, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four.

Before Christmas there was evidence of the pair’s plans when they announced changes to their charitable foundation. ‘After five beautiful years, the Archewell Foundation is becoming Archewell Philanthropies,’ the statement said. ‘This charitable entity allows the couple and their children to expand upon their global philanthropic endeavours as a family.’

Part of that statement that was little noticed yet hugely significant was the Sussexes’ inclusion of their children. It was the first time that they have been mentioned in such a bulletin on the couple’s plans.

And one old friend of Harry has been left bemused. ‘I am genuinely confused,’ he tells me. ‘Harry and Meghan were always so insistent that their children would be able to make their own way in life without the pressure of expectations or titles. I can’t believe Harry is behind this. It must be Meghan’s influence.’

Harry and Meghan appear to have had a change of heart about the role of their children

It wasn’t just the Archewell statement that has led people to believe the Sussexes want to give their children a higher public profile. On the same day that the statement was issued, Meghan posted a family photograph on social media alongside a Christmas message. It featured the clearest image yet of their children. Archie was seen hugging his father while Meghan was bending down and holding hands with Lilibet as they stood in a sun-dappled forest on a small, wooden bridge.

Separately, they also released a Christmas card and end-of-year video highlighting their charitable endeavours, which featured the children helping their parents bake cookies ahead of Thanksgiving with a local charity.

Harry and Meghan have campaigned on the dangers of social media and recently welcomed its ban for children in Australia. However, they have increasingly featured their own offspring in online posts since Meghan started trying to make a fortune with As Ever, her lifestyle mail-order company.