When the Sussexes stepped back from royal duties and relocated to sunny California, they made an effort to shield their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, from the public eye. Had they remained in Britain, this likely wouldn’t have been the case.
Despite their desire for a more private life, Harry and Meghan’s multiple interviews and Harry’s memoir, Spare, have kept them in the public spotlight.
While they have been firm in protecting their children’s privacy by limiting photos, the public did catch a glimpse of the young prince and princess in the couple’s Netflix documentary released in December 2022.
The decision to grant Archie and Lilibet royal titles left many puzzled, as one of the main reasons Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped away from royal life was to pursue a quieter, more private existence.
Initially, they believed these titles would be a burden for their children, but they later decided to let Archie and Lilibet choose whether to keep or renounce their titles when they’re older.
Royal expert Angela Levin shared her thoughts with Sky, saying at the time, “It will take a long time for little Lilibet to understand the weight of the responsibility her parents have placed on her.” She also remarked that by giving their daughter a royal title, Harry and Meghan had essentially “tied her to the British Royal Family,” an institution they have frequently criticized over the years.
Angela Levin questioned why Harry and Meghan would want their daughter to bear such a heavy burden, asking, “Why on earth would you want your daughter to experience such anguish?” She noted that while little girls often enjoy pretending to be princesses at parties, Lilibet being the only real princess in her class could lead to jealousy—something that could easily be avoided.
Meanwhile, Archie and Lilibet have never met their maternal grandfather, Thomas Markle, due to their strained relationship with him since before Meghan’s marriage to Harry. As the children grow older, Markle expressed concern about how they would feel when they realize all they’ve missed out on, telling New Zealand Woman’s Weekly (via The Sun), “They are getting to the age where they will start to ask questions, as all kids do.”
A source close to the couple told Us Weekly that Harry and Meghan will have those discussions about their royal heritage when the time comes. However, visiting their royal relatives in the UK is not an option for the family right now.
After stepping down from their royal duties, Harry and Meghan lost their entitlement to security protection. According to The Daily Mail, Harry sought a judicial review of a decision by the Home Office denying him the ability to fund police protection while in the UK. His legal team argued that Harry inherited a security risk at birth, which persists for life. They emphasized that while his role within the royal family had changed, his profile and the threat to his family had not.
Although Harry and Meghan personally fund a private security team, the lack of official protection means they cannot return to the UK safely.
Royal expert Hugo Vickers believes that Meghan supports the decision for their children to avoid traveling to Britain anytime soon. Speaking to The Sun, he suggested that the Duchess prefers raising her children as Americans, with full control over their upbringing. He acknowledged that while California may be a wonderful place to grow up, there will come a time when the children realize their connection to the British Royal Family and may feel disappointed by missing out on the experiences that William’s children enjoy, such as knowing their cousins.
Charles Rae, a royal commentator, agreed, stating that he doesn’t believe Meghan will ever return to the UK, and by extension, neither will Archie or Lilibet—at least not for the foreseeable future. Despite several opportunities for Meghan to join Harry on trips to Britain since their royal departure, she has consciously chosen not to.