Meghan Markle’s latest Instagram post celebrated her husband Prince Harry’s 42nd birthday—but it also included many glimpses into the lives of their two children Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.
On September 15, the Duchess of Sussex shared an Instagram Reel in honor of Harry’s birthday, captioning it, “He’s simply the best. Happy birthday, my love.❤️”
Included in the clip was a solo black-and-white shot of Harry, as well as Harry and Meghan kissing in a field (with Archie behind them). But many of the snaps were of Harry with Archie and Lilibet—and gave a glimpse into the kids’ hobbies.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/HarryMeghanLilibet-a7144c4138d040f79c3cbda2dab2a982.jpg)
For example, there was a photo included of Harry and Lilibet skiing, and a photo of Lilibet acting as the day’s photographer, taking a photo of her dad in a basket hat. In another shot, Harry and Lilibet kissed as the 5-year-old wore a Mahjong headband atop her head (with Meghan sitting in the front seat of the golf cart they’re riding in). In another image, Harry and Archie practice archery together, and the reel also included an image of Harry, Archie, and Lilibet getting outdoorsy, riding in an ATV as their dog Pula trails behind them.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/HarryLilibet1-8827300196794debb05acdca46926524.jpg)
Two more images of Harry with his daughter showed the two of them overlooking a body of water, and Harry walking hand-in-hand with Lilibet as he carries her bicycle in his other hand.
That’s a lot of hobbies, and at least one of the photos carries a major hint about a hobby Meghan is apparently teaching Lilibet—Mahjong, a tile-based board game of skill and strategy that originated in China. The As Ever founder is a big fan of the game, often playing it with friends back in Montecito, California reported that she is now teaching Lilibet the game.
Meghan’s reel comes nearly three weeks after the Sussex family of four arrived back in the U.K. to live for an extended period of time after six years living in the United States. Harry and Meghan will not resume the working royal roles they left in 2020 to move to the U.S., nor are they to use their His and Her Royal Highness (HRH) stylings. They are living in a private, non-royal property outside of London.
Archie and Lilibet have had a big week this week, starting classes at a new school—only to switch schools just two days in. According to Hello!, the children met their classmates last week, only for Harry and Meghan to “reluctantly decide to withdraw them on the advice of their security team,” the outlet reported.
There was no issue with the school itself, “but rather with the practicalities of getting them there and back,” the publication continued, citing heavy traffic in the area and the distance between the school and where they are living as contributing factors. “One incident made it difficult for their vehicles to stay in convoy, which raised further concerns,” according to Hello!.
“It’s a real shame, because they absolutely adored the school, the kids, and their parents,” a friend of Harry and Meghan’s said. “It was perfect for them in every way, and the children really enjoyed their time there.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/HarryLilibet-e96592762c0c4aaa90245ab2d5e73386.jpg)
A spokesperson for the couple added, “The decision for the children to move school was taken following a discussion with the family’s security team about the practicalities of their current arrangements. The parents remain extremely grateful to all the teachers and staff for the love, care, and effort they have shown their family. This decision should in no way be interpreted as a reflection on the school or the exceptional care the children have received there.”
A source close to Harry and Meghan told Peoplethat, since arriving back in the U.K. on August 26, getting Archie and Lilibet settled “has been, and remains, their focus. Everything else will fall into place when the time is right.”
“There is a lot to do,” the source added. “They have just moved halfway across the world, and it’s been really busy getting the kids settled. Their focus has been on that, and will remain on that, for the time being. They are happy to be back.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/HarryArchieLilibet-b60a9a3dbcca459f912054b3cac3c8ed.jpg)
Harry had been thinking about moving back to his home country “for a while,” a source close to him said, while a different insider said that the Duke of Sussex wants his children “to understand the world he grew up in and where their family comes from.”
Meghan, for her part, “feels very fortunate that they’re able to give Archie and Lilibet the opportunity to experience both worlds,” a source from Montecito told People.
