Introduction to Harry and Meghan’s children
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have two children: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, born in 2019, and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, born in 2021. This overview outlines their birth circumstances, naming choices, royal titles, positions within the royal family, and how their parents have balanced public attention with private childhoods. The information reflects official announcements and widely reported details that are stable and unlikely to change.
Quick facts at a glance
| Name | Date of birth | Birthplace | Title(s) | Succession position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor | 6 May 2019 | London, United Kingdom | Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor | Fifth in line at birth |
| Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor | 4 June 2021 | Santa Barbara, California, USA | Princess Lilibet of Sussex | Sixth in line at birth |
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor
Birth and early announcement
Archie Harrison was born on 6 May 2019 at the Portland Hospital in London, during the fifth month of Meghan’s first pregnancy. The Duke and Duchess announced the birth two days later on 8 May 2019. In the initial days, they chose not to give Archie an official royal title, reflecting their preference for a more private start compared to other royal great-grandchildren born earlier in the line.
Titles and status
As the son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales (now King Charles III), Archie is a prince by birth. In January 2020, Harry and Meghan stepped back from senior royal duties, and the couple later stated that Archie would not use the style Royal Highness or the title Master of Edinburgh at that time. Following King Charles’s accession, Archie became fifth in the line of succession, behind his grandfather, father, and older half-brother.
Public appearances and schooling
Archie has appeared alongside his parents on select international tours, notably the 2019 Southern Africa visit and the 2020 Canada walkabout. Since stepping back from royal duties, Harry and Meghan have focused on raising Archie in the United States, where he attends school in Santa Barbara County. The family has emphasized normalcy, though his lineage ensures continued public curiosity about his upbringing.
Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor
Birth and announcement
Lilibet Diana was born on 4 June 2021 in Santa Barbara, California, United States, weighing 5 pounds 4 ounces after a full-term pregnancy. The name was revealed in the Queen’s Platinum Birthday message in June 2021, which acknowledged the new granddaughter and marked the first official confirmation of her title as Princess. Unlike Archie, news of Lilibet’s birth came with immediate clarity that she would be styled as a princess.
Titles and legal recognition
Lilibet holds the style and title Princess Lilibet of Sussex, as the daughter of a prince. She is sixth in line to the British throne, behind her grandfather, father, older brother, and her uncle William. She has not yet attended a public school in the U.S., and Harry and Meghan have said they intend for her to have a balanced childhood away from the spotlight.
Family context and relationships
Archie and Lilibet are the first great-grandchildren of King Charles III and the first grandchildren of both Diana, Princess of Wales, and Harry’s brother William. As mixed-nationality children with one parent born in the U.S., their lives bridge British tradition and American upbringing. The siblings, who are about two years apart, are being raised with awareness of their historic lineage while their parents manage their public profile through interviews, books, and documentaries.
Media coverage and public perception
From the outset, Harry and Meghan’s approach to parenting has drawn significant media attention. Outlets have focused on their choices: naming, schooling, security, and the decision not to grant royal titles immediately in some cases. Public opinion polls show divided views, with some praising their efforts to normalize royal childhoods and others criticizing perceived distance from established institutions. The family’s candid interviews provide insight into their motivations while underscoring ongoing scrutiny around their children’s futures.
Summary and key takeaways
- Harry and Meghan have two children: Archie (born May 2019) and Lilibet (born June 2021).
- Archie is a prince without the style Royal Highness, while Lilibet holds the title Princess from birth.
- Archie is fifth and Lilibet sixth in line to the British throne as of 2024.
- Archie was born in London; Lilibet was born in Santa Barbara, California.
- The family prioritize privacy and a stable upbringing while balancing public interest in their children’s lives.