Prince Harry recently returned to the UK to attend the WellChild Awards on Monday. To ensure his safety, the event’s location was kept secret until the day it took place. Meanwhile, his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, remained in the US. Reports suggest the Sussex family won’t set foot in the UK unless they are granted the police protection they have requested.
Archie and Lilibet are unaware of their royal lineage or the ongoing rift between their parents and Prince Harry’s side of the family. Unfortunately, the young royals have little to no relationship with their cousins—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Given the current circumstances, it seems unlikely that they will form a connection or meet their cousins anytime soon.
Security concerns remain a key factor in Harry’s decision to keep his family away from the UK. While Archie and Lilibet will be free to make their own choices when they turn 18, the ongoing feud with the Royal Family casts doubt on whether they will ever reconnect with their relatives.
To make matters even more disheartening, a royal expert has suggested an increasingly bleak outlook for Archie and Lilibet’s ties to the UK.
In California, Harry and Meghan have built a life starkly different from the royal one they might have led in the UK. Beyond the sunnier weather, one of the biggest advantages of living in the US is that Archie and Lilibet are shielded from the relentless scrutiny of the British press. For now, their lives remain far removed from the royal world they were born into.
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet
Despite Harry and Meghan’s efforts to shield their children from the public eye while raising them in the privacy of their $14 million mansion—nicknamed “Fort Knox”—their actions have inevitably kept Archie and Lilibet in the spotlight. The couple’s highly public life in the US, including featuring their children in their Netflix series nearly two years ago, has ensured that Archie and Lilibet remain a topic of discussion.
Since their move to the US, Harry and Meghan have reportedly prioritized giving their children as normal a childhood as possible. According to an anonymous friend of the Sussexes, their decision to limit public exposure for Archie and Lilibet stems from a deeply personal and heartbreaking reason.
“I think every parent wants to share their kid with the world, but they just can’t,” the friend told US Magazine, referencing Harry’s ongoing struggle to secure enhanced security in the UK. “William’s kids, for example, have way more safety, even though they’re recognizable. The same doesn’t apply to Meghan and Harry’s children. They know the world wants to see [them], but I would expect them to live smaller lives until that gets sorted—if it ever does.”
A separate source shared with People Magazine that Harry’s caution about showcasing his children publicly is not an attempt to obscure them but rather a measure to protect their privacy and ensure their safety from potential risks. For now, Harry and Meghan remain steadfast in their efforts to shield Archie and Lilibet from unnecessary public scrutiny.
“He wants his children to experience as normal a life as possible, without the constant fear of kidnapping or harm,” the friend shared. “As a devoted father and husband, Harry is determined to ensure that history does not repeat itself.”
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Called the “Cool Cousins Abroad”
Harry and Meghan will have full control over their children’s lives until they turn 18, but after that, the choice will be up to Archie and Lilibet. According to an “extremely well-placed” source from the Express, the Sussexes have a clear plan for their children’s future.
The source revealed that once Archie and Lilibet reach adulthood, they will have the freedom to choose their own paths. “There’s a conscious effort to keep the children out of the public eye as much as possible until they turn 18, so they can develop their own opinions and personalities,” the source explained.
“When they reach maturity, it will be entirely about what they want to do and what they choose to support,” the source added. “They’ll likely be seen as the cool cousins abroad who can live freely, while the Wales children focus more on duty and tradition.” A Us Weekly source shared insights into Archie and Lilibet’s personalities, describing them as “well-mannered.” Archie is said to be “sweet, curious, and playful,” while Lilibet is described as “vibrant and happy.” As previously noted, Harry and Meghan have chosen not to bring their children to the UK, meaning Archie and Lilibet have yet to meet much of their extended family in the British monarchy.
By staying away from the UK, Archie and Lilibet have lost the opportunity to bond with their grandfather, King Charles. More importantly, they have also missed out on building relationships with their royal cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. This choice has faced criticism from numerous royal experts, who argue that Harry and Meghan are preventing their children from forming connections with their UK-based family.
They will begin to wonder
A few months ago, Thomas Markle, Meghan Markle’s estranged father, criticized his daughter and son-in-law, accusing them of “denying” their children the opportunity to know their royal relatives.
“They’re getting to an age where they’ll start asking questions, as all kids do,” Markle told New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, according to The Sun.
“I wonder how Archie and Lilibet will feel in a few years when they realize all the things they’ve missed out on,” he added. As Archie and Lilibet grow up, they are likely to live in luxury, but eventually, they will become aware of the ongoing feud between their parents and the Royal Family. A source close to the Sussexes told Us Weekly that Harry and Meghan will have “those conversations in due time” about their children’s royal heritage, but for now, visiting the UK to see their relatives is not an option.
Royal expert and author Hugo Vickers, speaking with The Sun, claims that it isn’t Harry who made the decision to keep Archie and Lilibet from visiting the UK—it was Meghan.
Vickers believes Meghan has kept her children away from the Royal Family in order to “stay in control” and raise them as Americans, rather than exposing them to royal life.
“I think Meghan just wants to be in control,” Vickers said. “The issue for the children, as I see it, is that while they’re probably enjoying a nice life growing up in California, it’s likely a very different experience than what they might have had within the royal circle.”
Prince Harry Travels to the UK Alone, Leaving Archie and Lilibet Behind
The royal expert stated, “There will come a time when they realize they are cousins to the British Royal Family, and they could have been part of the activities that Prince William’s children enjoy. They don’t even seem to know their cousins, which must be quite difficult and disappointing for them.”
Vickers added that not only have Archie and Lilibet never met their grandfather, King Charles, but they’ve also never spent time with their maternal grandfather, Thomas Markle.
“It’s really up to Prince Harry to make the effort,” Vickers said. “If he wants his children to meet King Charles, he should bring them over. It’s as simple as that. I’m sure the King would always make time for him, but there doesn’t seem to be much willingness to do so.”
On Monday, Harry briefly returned to the UK for the WellChild Awards, where he presented an award for an Inspirational Child aged 4 to 6 and gave a speech at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. According to GB News, Harry requested that the event location be kept secret until the day of the ceremony due to security concerns. A few days earlier, Harry took part in several engagements in New York City, including delivering a speech at The Diana Award, which honors young individuals who make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Royal Expert Claims Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet May Never Visit the UK
Neither Meghan nor their children joined Harry on his recent trips to New York City or the UK. Royal expert Charles Rae finds it “interesting” that Harry attended “royal engagements” without his wife.
Unfortunately, Rae suggested that Meghan may never return to the UK—and the same could be true for Archie and Lilibet.
“As for Meghan, I don’t believe she will ever come back to this country,” Charles Rae told GB News. “And by extension, unless they’re much older, it means the children likely won’t return for the foreseeable future.”
The royal expert pointed out that Meghan has had “plenty of opportunities” to accompany Harry back to the UK but has “chosen not to.” Her last visit was for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022.
“She’s had plenty of chances to return with the Duke of Sussex, but she’s decided not to. She made a brief stop at an airport when Harry was here, he picked her up, and they flew off for some royal visit,” Rae added.
“But no, I don’t believe she ever wants to return to this country, which is truly unfortunate. But she’s made her choice, and now she’ll live with it, continuing to stay in California.”
Archie and Lilibet to inherit millions
The Sussexes and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are set for a life of luxury, with no financial struggles ahead. In addition to the various business ventures their parents are involved in, it’s been reported that the family already has millions to their name.
For his 40th birthday, Prince Harry received approximately $10 million from a family trust fund established by the late Queen Mother. He also received substantial funds after the tragic passing of his mother. It seems Harry has plans to ensure his children benefit from this wealth.
A source told GB News that Harry intends to secure millions for his son and daughter’s future. The inheritance from his great-grandmother’s trust fund, which isn’t for his personal use, will be set aside for Archie and Lilibet.
“He wants to save the inheritance for their future, especially for Archie and Lili,” the source said.
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