5 Surprising Facts About Prince Archie And Princess Lilibet's Life In Montecito In 2025
The lives of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, the children of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, continue to captivate the world. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the young royals are growing up far from the traditional confines of the British monarchy, instead enjoying an "idyllic" and distinctly Californian childhood in the celebrity enclave of Montecito, Santa Barbara County. Their parents have successfully shielded them from the constant glare of the media, offering only rare, carefully curated glimpses into their private world, which makes every new detail a significant update for royal watchers.
The family's relocation to the United States following the "Megxit" decision in 2020 has defined the children's formative years, shaping them into a unique blend of British royalty and American upbringing. Now aged six and four, respectively, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are navigating a childhood centered on family, community, and the freedom of Southern California, a stark contrast to the highly formal life their cousins in the UK experience. This article provides the most current, in-depth look at the Sussex children's biography, their rare public activities, and the unique environment shaping their future.
The Complete Biography and Royal Titles of the Sussex Children
Following the ascension of their grandfather, King Charles III, in September 2022, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet officially inherited the titles of Prince and Princess, in line with the 1917 Letters Patent. They are formally known as Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex, though their parents have opted to use their Mountbatten-Windsor surname in many non-official settings to promote a more private life.
- Full Name: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor
- Title: Prince Archie of Sussex
- Date of Birth: May 6, 2019, at 05:26 AM
- Place of Birth: The Portland Hospital, Westminster, London, England
- Current Age (as of 2025): 6
- Line of Succession: Sixth in line to the British throne
- Full Name: Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor
- Title: Princess Lilibet of Sussex
- Date of Birth: June 4, 2021
- Place of Birth: Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara, California, USA
- Current Age (as of 2025): 4
- Line of Succession: Seventh in line to the British throne
- Namesake: Named after Queen Elizabeth II's childhood nickname ("Lilibet") and her paternal grandmother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
Life in Montecito: School, Hobbies, and American Freedom
The children's upbringing in Montecito, California, is a world away from the royal nurseries of Kensington Palace. The sprawling Sussex estate provides a sanctuary where Archie and Lilibet can enjoy a life of relative normalcy, away from the constant scrutiny that defined their parents' early years.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been vocal about their desire for their children to experience a childhood where they feel free and unburdened by the pressures of royal life. This commitment to privacy is balanced with a focus on community integration, a key aspect of their life in the United States. They are known to be raising a "close-knit family" and have fully integrated into the local Santa Barbara community.
A British-Themed Education and Surprising Hobbies
Both Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet attend private school in the Montecito area, which has been described as a $60,000-a-year institution. This educational setting reflects a desire to provide a high standard of learning while maintaining their privacy.
For Prince Archie, a surprising detail about his hobbies emerged in recent reports: he is reportedly a fan of football (soccer) and attends a British-themed soccer school, "GB Soccer School," near their home. This activity is a subtle nod to his British heritage and his father's love of the sport. The children also reportedly share a common, albeit unusual, hobby with their cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, though the specific activity remains private.
Meghan has also shared rare glimpses into their family life, describing strolls on their property with Archie and Lilibet running in tow, painting a picture of an idyllic, nature-filled childhood. These moments emphasize outdoor play and a focus on simple family time, often involving their dogs and the expansive California landscape.
Rare Public Appearances and Charitable Footsteps
In 2024 and heading into 2025, the public sightings of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have become slightly more frequent, though they remain extremely rare and are almost always tied to charitable or community-focused events, aligning with their parents' philanthropic mission through the Archewell Foundation.
- Thanksgiving Charity Debut: Ahead of a recent Thanksgiving holiday, both children made a surprise appearance, joining their parents for a charitable event. This was described as their first major charity event debut, where they participated in giving back to the local community, demonstrating the Sussexes' commitment to instilling values of service in their children from a young age.
- Pumpkin Patch Outing: The family was also seen enjoying a trip to a local pumpkin patch, a classic American autumn tradition, which Meghan later shared a glimpse of, highlighting their commitment to typical family activities.
- Invictus Games Gifts: During Prince Harry and Meghan's trip to Vancouver, Canada, in February 2025 for the Invictus Games, Meghan was seen receiving special Team Nigeria shirts for both Archie and Lilibet. This small, public gesture links the children to their parents' major philanthropic projects and the global community.
These controlled public moments allow the Duke and Duchess to share their children with the world on their own terms, focusing on the positive and meaningful aspects of their lives rather than the invasive paparazzi culture they sought to escape. This strategy has allowed them to protect their children's privacy while still maintaining a connection to the public that supports their work.
The Royal Connection: Grandparents and the UK
The relationship between Prince Archie, Princess Lilibet, and the British Royal Family remains a topic of significant public interest, especially concerning their grandfather, King Charles III, and their uncle and aunt, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
While the children primarily reside in the United States, efforts are reportedly ongoing to maintain a connection with their royal relatives. It has been reported that the family communicates with King Charles III via video calls, especially around holidays like Christmas. The use of video calls is a modern solution to the geographical distance, allowing the children to see their grandfather despite the distance.
Prince Harry has expressed a strong desire to bring his children to the United Kingdom more frequently to spend time with the extended family, a sentiment which has reportedly grown stronger following recent family health matters. However, security concerns in the UK remain a primary obstacle to these visits. The question of whether Archie and Lilibet will spend more time in England or maintain their predominantly American upbringing continues to be a key narrative surrounding the Sussex family. Entities like Frogmore Cottage, their former UK residence, remain a symbolic link to their British roots, even if their day-to-day life is rooted in the California sunshine.
As Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet continue to grow, their dual heritage and unique position—American-born children with British royal titles—will undoubtedly shape their future roles. Their parents, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are focused on giving them a foundation of service, community, and privacy, ensuring their California childhood is as normal and happy as possible while preparing them for a life that will always be under the global spotlight.
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