Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Keeping Archie and Lili’s Lives ‘Smaller’ for Now

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are raising Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in Montecito, California.

It’s not often the public gets a glimpse of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The last time it happened was in their eponymous 2022 Netflix docuseries. The reason reportedly has to do with security, an issue the Duke of Sussex has taken to court.

Harry and Meghan ‘just can’t’ share glimpses of Archie and Lili for security reasons

Aside from the rare mention of their 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter, Harry and Meghan haven’t publicly shared any photos or videos of Archie and Lili in years. A friend of the couple’s told Us Weekly it’s related to a lack of security.

“I think every parent wants to share their kid with the world, but they just can’t,” the friend said. They went on to explain that the lack of security is why Archie and Lili are rarely seen.

Harry’s legal battle to reinstate his U.K. security is ongoing after losing his royal protection detail in 2020 when he and Meghan left royal life for California. Meghan is said to want Harry to stop the lawsuits and be present in their lives. In the meantime, however, they are paying for private security.

“[Prince] William’s kids, for example, have way more safety, even though they’re recognizable,” the friend explained. “And 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.”

The security issue has reportedly even led to a breakdown in communication between Harry and his father, King Charles III (via People). For now, Harry has to follow specific steps before the U.K. visits.

Archie and Lili don’t know they are British royalty

Also per the report, Archie and Lili aren’t aware they’re British royalty. To that end, they probably don’t even know their dad was born into the royal family or that their grandfather, King Charles III, is well, king.

“They’ll have those conversations in due time,” a friend of Harry and Meghan’s said. For the time being, the outlet noted, Harry and Meghan “want Archie and Lilibet to be loved for who they are as individuals.”

For now, Archie and Lili are growing up out of the public eye. “They’re so well-mannered,” an insider said. “Archie is sweet and curious and playful, and Lili is vibrant and happy.”

Parenting is Harry and Meghan’s main ‘focus’

Another source told the outlet Archie and Lili are very much Harry and Meghan’s main priority. “I think the focus is very much on raising their two children,” the insider said. “They take the kids to school, they pick them up, and they are very active and present with them throughout the day.”

The couple became parents in May 2018 with the birth of Archie after, as Harry shared in his Spare memoir, not wanting to wait to start a family. In June 2021, following a miscarriage in the summer of 2020, they welcomed Lili.