New Archie photo was Harry and Meghan 'trolling the world', author suggests

When it comes to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, nothing goes unscrutinised – not even a seemingly innocuous photo marking their son's second birthday.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a sepia-toned photo of Archie Mountbatten-Windsor holding a bunch of balloons to mark the May 6 milestone, showing the toddler with his back turned to the camera.

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But according to author Omid Scobie, the photo wasn't as innocent as it appears; he claims the couple are 'trolling the world' with it.

Scobie, who was a co-writer of a controversial book about the couple, Finding Freedom, said it was a move away from traditional royal portraits and showed the couple's more relaxed approach to raising their son.

Speaking on his US ABC podcast HeirPod, Scobie said the simple jeans and sneakers outfit was a jab at the royals' usual highly curated get-up.

"This was a cute moment, we had not only a new picture from the couple of Archie – in his garden, I presume – in jeans and Nikes, which for a royal kid is very welcome because I think sometimes the dress code can be a little too traditional," Scobie said.

"I think as we have come to expect with experience from the Sussexes, it was a photograph of Archie but not particularly clear.

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"I think this is their way of sort of trolling the world."

The photo was in sharp contrast to the birthday tributes posted by the royals to their official social media accounts.

Clarence House, the official Instagram account for Prince Charles and Camilla, chose a photo of Prince Charles and Prince Harry holding a two-month-old Archie, taken at his christening.

The photo was captioned with a simple, "Happy birthday to Archie, who turns two today."

Meanwhile, the Royal Family account opted for a photo of Prince Harry and Meghan holding a newborn Archie in his public debut, writing: "Wishing Archie Mountbatten-Windsor a very happy 2nd birthday today."