Raising Royals in California: The Unique Path of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Children

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will experience a vastly different upbringing compared to other royal children. While Harry and Meghan believe they are making the best choices for their family, one expert suggests they should be prepared for some challenging questions in the future.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from their roles as senior royals in early 2020 and have since been raising their two children in Montecito, California, closer to where Meghan grew up. The couple has returned to the United Kingdom together only a few times, and their young children have spent minimal time with King Charles. Additionally, Meghan’s strained relationship with her father means he has never met his grandchildren.

Royal expert Phil Dampier told The Sun that while Harry and Meghan have the right to make their decisions, they must prepare for Archie and Lilibet to eventually ask many questions. Dampier describes the situation as “very sad,” noting that both grandfathers played a role in the current family dynamics. He predicts that Archie and Lilibet will inevitably wonder about their limited connections to the royal family and their grandparents.

“When they get a bit older, are they going to start asking questions; ‘How have we got to this situation,’ ‘How is it I don’t see my grandparents,’ ‘How is it I don’t have anything to do with the royal family?” Dampier said.

Despite the distance from their grandfathers, Archie and Lilibet share a close bond with their grandmother, Doria Ragland, Meghan’s mother. Harry, who lost his mother, Princess Diana, at a young age, ensures that his children maintain some form of contact with King Charles, primarily through video calls.

Dampier finds it “fascinating” to watch how Archie and Lilibet will grow and develop amidst the ongoing family rift. He remains uncertain whether this rift will heal, stating, “So that is the underlying sadness and whether they’re going to one day heal this rift, we don’t know, but at the moment I don’t think there’s much prospect.”

Harry made a brief visit to the UK in early May for an Invictus Games ceremony, but no royal family members were present. Notably absent was Princess Eugenie, who previously maintained a close relationship with Harry. However, members of Princess Diana’s family attended, offering Harry some comfort. Meghan did not accompany Harry on this trip, instead meeting him in Nigeria shortly after. She has not returned to the UK since Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022.

Given the circumstances of Harry’s last visit, where he did not see his father or brother, it is unlikely that Harry and Meghan will return to the UK soon. Their attendance at this year’s Trooping the Colour remains uncertain.

As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle navigate their unique path in raising their children away from the royal spotlight, the future holds many questions and potential challenges. The couple remains focused on their family’s well-being while the world watches to see how this modern royal story unfolds.