Prince Harry has disclosed the late Queen Elizabeth II's reaction to meeting his two children, Archie and Lilibet, just months before her death in 2022. In his memoir 'Spare', Harry wrote that his grandmother described the children as 'the sweetest children' but appeared 'bemused' by them.
The Duke of Sussex, 41, revealed that the late Queen had expected Archie and Lilibet to behave differently. 'She'd expected them to be a bit more... American, I think? Meaning, in her mind, more rambunctious,' Harry wrote.
First meeting with Lilibet
The late Queen met Princess Lilibet for the first time in June 2022, during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Lilibet, who was born in the United States in 2021, was just one year old at the time. Archie, born in the UK in 2019, had previously met his great-grandmother.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped down from royal duties in 2020, traveled to the UK for the Jubilee with their children. It remains unclear if the family attended any public events, but they reportedly had private meetings with the late Queen and then-Prince Charles.
Harry's upcoming UK visit
Prince Harry is set to return to the UK next month with Meghan and their children for the one-year countdown event of the 2027 Invictus Games. This will mark the first visit of Archie and Lilibet to the UK since 2022.
The Sussexes have reportedly been offered a royal residence for their stay, though it is unknown if they accepted. Security arrangements for the visit have not been disclosed.
Possible visit to Princess Diana's grave
Speculation has arisen that Harry may take his children to visit the resting place of his mother, Princess Diana, at Althorp House in Northamptonshire. The estate's website notes that it will be closed on July 10 and 11, which falls within its limited summer opening dates from July 1 to August 31.
