Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are raising the sweetest little prince and princess—and their applaudable parenting chops aren’t going unnoticed. A family friend of the couple gushed to Us Weekly that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are “hands-on” parents to their kids, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, and want them to have normal childhoods.
“They take the kids to school, they pick them up, and they are very active and present with them throughout the day,” the insider said. “They’re so well-mannered. Archie is sweet and curious and playful, and Lili is vibrant and happy.”
Harry and Meghan have largely kept their children out of the public eye, in large part due to Harry’s struggle to obtain enhanced security for his family in the U.K.
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“I think every parent wants to share their kid with the world, but they just can’t,” the source added. “William’s kids, for example, have way more safety, even though they’re recognizable. 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.”
They continued, speaking to Harry’s decision to leave the U.K.: “He’ll always be fond of his home country, but the way he views it, his wife and kids are his priority. If that means making sure they’re safe and happy in Montecito, then he supports that.”
The royal couple moved to the California town after leaving London in 2020, when they both stepped down as senior working royals. The source added that the couple will explain their royal heritage to their kids “in due time.”
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A second source echoed the sentiment, saying, “The focus is very much on raising their two children.” Though, the couple have continued to work with their Archewell foundation and launch their business ventures, such as Meghan’s lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
It’s clear Meghan and Harry are proud to be parents. During their trip to Colombia, Meghan affectionately declared “at 3, [Lilibet] has found her voice.” Their family friend also shared that the Suits alum is a part of a group of local moms, who she sees regularly.
For Harry’s part, his kids were on his mind during the WellChild Awards last month. “As a parent, I know a little about the emotional roller-coaster of parenting! But, when I hear about the care many of you mums, dads and family members provide; the level of round-the-clock care you offer; the skills you’ve had to learn; and the battles for support that you fight every single day—I am truly in awe,” he said during the ceremony.