5 Shocking New Details About Archie And Lilibet's Private Life In Montecito Now
The world's focus remains intensely fixed on Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, the children of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as they navigate a unique upbringing far from the traditional royal spotlight in Montecito, California. As of today, December 18, 2025, the young royals are growing up with a blend of Californian freedom and their distinct heritage, with recent updates revealing a more public-facing role for the family and an ongoing internal debate about their future education in the United Kingdom. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have fiercely guarded their children's privacy, but new details offer a fascinating glimpse into their lives, from school activities to major family decisions.
The lives of Archie Harrison, now six, and Lilibet Diana, who recently turned four, are a continuous source of global curiosity. Their parents, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have worked diligently to create a sanctuary of safety and normalcy in their sprawling Montecito mansion. However, recent months have brought rare, but significant, public appearances and intense speculation about their connection to the British Royal Family, particularly concerning Prince Harry’s reported desire for his children to spend more time—and potentially even be educated—across the pond, a plan that has reportedly caused friction with Meghan Markle. This article dives into the most current and fresh details about the Sussex children.
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet: Complete Biography and Profile
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor hold a unique place in the British Royal Family, being the grandchildren of King Charles III and currently sixth and seventh in the line of succession to the British throne, respectively. They are the only members of the immediate royal family to be born in the United States.
- Full Name (Archie): Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor
- Born (Archie): May 6, 2019, in London, United Kingdom
- Current Age (Archie): 6 years old (as of December 2025)
- Title (Archie): Prince Archie of Sussex (received title in March 2023)
- Parents: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex
- Full Name (Lilibet): Princess Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor
- Born (Lilibet): June 4, 2021, at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara, California, United States
- Current Age (Lilibet): 4 years old (as of December 2025)
- Title (Lilibet): Princess Lilibet of Sussex (received title in March 2023)
- Namesake: Named after her great-grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II (whose childhood nickname was Lilibet), and her paternal grandmother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
Both children were granted the titles of Prince and Princess following the accession of their grandfather, King Charles III, to the throne, aligning with royal protocol for grandchildren of the monarch. They reside with their parents in their private estate in Montecito, California, a move that followed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepping back as working members of the Royal Family in 2020.
The Shocking Debate: UK Education vs. Californian Life
One of the most persistent and current news stories surrounding the Sussex family is the reported tension between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle regarding the children’s future, specifically their education. Multiple reports in late 2025 suggest that Prince Harry is "more determined than ever" to have Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet educated in the United Kingdom.
This desire is rooted in Harry’s wish for his children to have a deeper connection to their British heritage and the Royal Family. It is believed that he is keen for them to attend a traditional, posh British school.
Meghan Markle's Reported Reaction
Sources close to the couple have indicated that Meghan Markle is "extremely upset" and in "utter shock" over this plan. The Duchess of Sussex is reportedly committed to their life in California, viewing their Montecito mansion as a safe and private sanctuary for the family. The prospect of relocating or spending significant, structured time in the UK for schooling is seen as a major complication to the life they have built on the West Coast, where they have prioritized privacy and a non-royal environment. This internal disagreement over their children’s schooling—a traditional British upbringing versus a modern Californian one—remains a significant point of discussion as 2025 draws to a close.
Rare Public Appearances and New Family Traditions
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have maintained a strict policy of privacy for their children, meaning public sightings of Archie and Lilibet are extremely rare. However, 2025 saw a few notable, controlled appearances that gave the public a glimpse into their lives and their parents' philanthropic work, adding to the children's growing public entity.
Thanksgiving Volunteering in Los Angeles
In a powerful and rare public moment, Prince Archie (6) and Princess Lilibet (4) joined their parents for a volunteering event at a community kitchen in Los Angeles during the Thanksgiving season in November 2025. The family teamed up with the organization Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA) to serve Thanksgiving meals to those in need. This appearance was a deliberate decision by Harry and Meghan to introduce their children to community service, a core value they wish to instill. Fans reacted universally, noting how grown-up the children looked in their rare outing.
The Disneyland Special Visit
Another controlled public moment came with reports of the family visiting Disneyland in 2025 for an ABC special. This outing provided a subtle, yet public, display of their family life, showcasing a more typical American childhood experience for the young Prince and Princess, contrasting sharply with the formal traditions of the British monarchy. This type of carefully managed media appearance is part of the Sussexes' strategy to control their narrative and the public perception of their children's lives.
Montecito Life: Privacy, Pets, and Playtime
The primary setting for Archie and Lilibet's childhood is their secluded Montecito estate, a haven that provides the privacy and space their parents craved after leaving the UK. Meghan Markle has shared rare, intimate insights into their home life, painting a picture of a typical, yet privileged, Californian upbringing.
The Duchess of Sussex has mentioned that the children, along with the family's two dogs, are actively involved in family activities, including "strolls" around the property. This emphasis on a private, nature-filled environment underscores the couple's commitment to giving their children a normal childhood away from the paparazzi. The Montecito mansion itself has been described as a sanctuary, designed to maximize safety for the family.
School and Social Life
While details are scarce, Prince Archie is now of school age, attending a local educational institution in the area. His schooling is a closely guarded secret, allowing him to experience a relatively normal environment free from the intense scrutiny that would accompany a royal child in the UK. Princess Lilibet, at four, is likely in a pre-school or nursery program, enjoying the early milestones of childhood.
The children's social circle is predominantly non-royal, consisting of friends from school and the local community, a stark departure from the traditional royal upbringing surrounded by cousins and royal staff at residences like Windsor or Kensington Palace. The focus is on local community integration and personal freedom, embodying the Californian lifestyle. This intentional separation from the formal royal world is a defining characteristic of their current lives.
The Royal Connection: Titles and Future Visits
Despite their American upbringing, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet remain integral members of the British Royal Family, holding the titles of Prince and Princess of Sussex. The use of these titles was confirmed in 2023, solidifying their place in the line of succession and the royal hierarchy.
A major factor that could influence their future connection to the UK is the ongoing legal battle concerning Prince Harry's security arrangements. Recent updates in late 2025 suggest a decision on his security status is imminent, which could pave the way for more frequent and safer visits to the UK for the whole family, including the children. The ability for Harry to ensure the safety of his family is a prerequisite for any extended stay or educational plan in Britain. Should the security situation be resolved in Harry's favor, it is anticipated that King Charles III will have the opportunity to spend more time with his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, a meeting that has been long-awaited by the public.
As they grow, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet represent a new, modern branch of the Royal Family—one that is deeply rooted in American culture yet inextricably linked to the British monarchy. Their current life in Montecito is a carefully constructed balance of privacy, philanthropy, and family values, all while the debate over their long-term future, particularly their education, continues to unfold behind the scenes. The world watches closely for the next rare glimpse into the lives of these two young royals.
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