I don't think there's much difference beyond the increased amount of platforms for sharing and accessing information, and the public's new(ish) ability to talk to each other about common interests.
As far as the media goes, I remember coverage of the Queen and her children when I was small - state visits, various tours in Canada (there's a lot around here named for Elizabeth and other members of the Royal Family). In the 70s, I remember watching Anne's wedding on tv, and throughout the 70s and early 80s lots of interest in the princes (eligible bachelors and all that, especially with Andrew spending time at school in Canada as a teen). Of course Charles' wedding was a big deal because he's the next king and Diana was so photogenic and relatable with her youth and shyness, but let's also remember that Andrew's romance and eventual televised wedding to Fergie were also a big deal. Even Edward, far from the throne but the last remaining bachelor prince, got a lot of news coverage as I recall, at least until there were other more exciting stories to follow among his siblings and nieces and nephews.
Maybe Anne's and Edward's kids didn't get as much attention, but the births of Andrew's kids certainly did (those names!), and they have remained newsworthy for their clothes, boyfriends, careers etc. Fergie still makes news long after her divorce - various charities and for awhile she had a partnership with Wedgewood (I have a signed teapot!), and remember her children's books? They were big news at the time.
I'd align what's happening with Harry and Meghan more with Andrew and Fergie than with William and Kate. Like Andrew before the next generation started arriving, he was the eligible bachelor, the fun prince, in line for the throne but likely never getting there so freer to have an interesting life and hobnob with celebrities and all that. I recall Fergie was thought to be different at the time, the red hair, the mind of her own, all that - and then Harry, unlike his brother who married a nice English girl he met in college, after a series of photo-ready girlfriends ended up in a whirlwind romance and marriage to an American actress (hello Grace Kelly!), also with an established public persona of her own (which Kate never had).
Of course the media and public are interested in Harry and Meghan and Archie - there are so many storylines, all happening in real time, it's no surprise to me at all.
Whoa,
@aftershocks length post there
There was intense interest in their pairing and marriage and now they've just had a baby. A quieter life isn't going to happen for them until they are more settled and the public is more used to them.
