Brace yourself, because this one’s a doozy. Word is, Prince Harry thinks there’s a future where his kids, Archie and Lilibet, could end up back in the UK — as official working royals. Yes, that Prince Harry. The one who ditched the palace, spilled all the royal tea on Netflix, and made it pretty clear he was done with the royal way of life.
According to The Guardian, the Duke of Sussex apparently hasn’t ruled out the possibility that Archie and Lili might someday want to jump into the royal spotlight themselves. And he’s even trying to keep that door open.
Here’s where it gets even more head-scratching. The Guardian reported Thursday that after Queen Elizabeth II passed away, there was a long six-month delay before Archie and Lili received new British passports. Harry and Meghan allegedly worried this wasn’t just slow government red tape — they feared UK officials were dragging their feet because the passport applications included the titles HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) for both children.
A source close to the Sussexes told The Guardian, “The king hadn’t wanted Archie and Lili to carry the titles, most of all the HRH, and the British passports, once created, would be the first and perhaps the only legal proof of their names.”
But Harry’s not letting go of the HRH titles without a fight. The source added that the Duke “wanted to keep the HRH titles for his children so that when they grow older they can decide for themselves whether they want to become working royals, or stay out of public life.”
Just let that sink in. The same Harry who’s criticized the monarchy as emotionally stunted, self-serving, and suffocating now seems to be leaving the door open for his kids to step right into the same system he walked away from — and got paid millions talking about.
It’s kind of like a hardcore vegan saying their kids might grow up to be passionate about farm-to-table butchery. Nothing about it makes sense.
And let’s not forget, Archie hasn’t lived in the UK since he was six months old. Lili’s only been there once. She reportedly hasn’t even met Prince William or Princess Kate. The kids don’t have a meaningful connection to Britain, the monarchy, or the life that comes with it. They’re growing up in California, not Kensington Palace.
Even if, somehow, the royal family and the British public were cool with welcoming Archie and Lili into the fold, there’s a big “if” looming over all of this — Prince William. If Harry’s big plan is for his kids to become working royals someday, he’ll have to get past his older brother first. And according to a friend who spoke to The Daily Beast, William “absolutely f**king hates” Harry.
Yeah, doesn’t exactly scream family reunion.
And then there’s the whole “slimmed down royal family” thing. Since 2012, King Charles has been on a mission to streamline the monarchy. Even Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who were born HRHs, haven’t been on the palace balcony since 2019 and are now out there living regular careers. So it’s hard to imagine there’d be much appetite for rolling out the red carpet for two Californians who don’t even know what Hobnobs are.
Could things change in 20 years? Maybe. By 2045, Prince George could be prepping for his own time on the throne and thinking, hey, maybe it’s time to call in the American cousins. Maybe Archie and Lili will feel a pull toward their royal roots.
But for now? Let’s just say you can safely pick up that jar of marmalade again. Just be ready to drop it next time Harry drops another surprise.