When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, decided to leave the royal family and their official roles behind, they settled in the sunny climes of California. This move was partly to shield their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, from the relentless public gaze. It’s clear that if they had remained in the UK, things might have been very different for their youngsters.

Despite Harry and Meghan’s efforts to secure a more private existence, paradoxically, they have maintained a presence in the public arena. Their myriad interviews and Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” have kept them firmly in the spotlight.

The couple has fiercely guarded their children’s privacy, allowing limited glimpses of the young prince and princess. Nonetheless, an exception was made for the Netflix documentary about Harry and Meghan, released in December 2022, which gave the world a rare look at the children.

The decision to bestow royal titles upon Archie and Lilibet raised eyebrows, given the couple’s desire for a quieter life away from the royal spotlight.

Originally, Harry and Meghan were concerned about the potential burden these titles might impose on their children. However, they eventually opted for them, believing Archie and Lilibet should have the autonomy to decide on their titles when they’re older.

When discussing these royal honors, royal expert Angela Levin observed, “It will take a long time for little Lilibet to realize the extent of the burden her parents have placed on her young shoulders.” By granting Lilibet a royal title, Levin argues, Harry and Meghan have somewhat tethered her to the very British Royal Family they have openly criticized.

Levin questioned the wisdom of this decision, saying, “Why on earth would you want your daughter to experience such anguish? Little girls might adore being a princess at parties, but if Lilibet is the only real princess in her class, it might spark avoidable jealousy,” she concluded.

Archie and Lilibet currently have little to no interaction with their father’s side of the family.

Similarly, they have yet to meet their maternal grandfather, Thomas Markle, who has had a turbulent relationship with Meghan since before she married Harry.

Thomas Markle expressed his concerns to New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, as reported by The Sun, saying, “They are getting to the age where they will start to ask questions, as all kids do. I find myself wondering how Archie and Lilibet will feel in a few years when they realize all the things they have missed out on,” he added.

A source close to Harry and Meghan mentioned to Us Weekly that the couple plans to have those “heritage conversations” with their kids eventually. However, at the moment, visiting the UK to meet their royal relatives is not on the agenda.

Following their decision to step away from royal duties, Harry and Meghan lost their right to official protection.

As per the Daily Mail, Harry pursued a judicial review of a Home Office ruling that denied him the ability to pay for police protection while in the UK. His legal team stated, “He inherited a security risk at birth, for life.”

The same statement underscored that “While his role within the Institution has changed, his profile as a royal family member has not. Neither has the threat to him and his family.”

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex personally fund a private security team for their family, yet that security cannot replicate the necessary police protection needed while in the UK. Without such protection, Prince Harry and his family cannot safely return,” it read.

Renowned royal expert and author Hugo Vickers claims that it’s Meghan who is adamant about not taking the children to Britain anytime soon.

In his talk with The Sun, Vickers suggested that Meghan prefers raising her children as Americans.

“I suspect Meghan wants to maintain control,” Vickers remarked. “The issue for the children, as I see it, is that while it’s lovely to grow up in California, there’s a moment on the horizon when they’ll realize they’re cousins to the British Royal Family. They’ll notice the opportunities they’re missing, like those that Prince William’s children enjoy. They don’t seem to even know their cousins, which, one can’t help but think, is a bit sad for them,” he added.

Royal expert Charles Rae has noted that Harry’s engagements independent of Meghan are “interesting.”

He suggests that Meghan will not return to the UK, and consequently, neither will Archie or Lilibet.

“I’m of the belief that Meghan will never come back to this country,” Charles Rae told GB News. “Consequently, it follows that the children, unless they are much older, won’t be returning here in the foreseeable future,” he explained.

Though Meghan has had several opportunities to join Harry on visits to the UK since their royal exit, she has consistently chosen not to do so.