The world has always been captivated by royal mysteries, and when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are involved, intrigue reaches new heights.
Their glamorous life in Montecito, California, is often compared to a modern fairy tale—complete with celebrity neighbors like Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry, and James Corden, million-dollar estates, and relentless media speculation. But now, a new question has emerged: where are their children, Archie and Lilibet? Some claim they attend a prestigious Montecito school, while others suggest they aren’t even living in the area. With recent leaks fueling speculation, the mystery surrounding the Sussex children has only deepened. Are these rumors based on reality, or is this another case of royal fiction?
The speculation gained traction when a Montecito resident, reportedly living near Prince Harry and Meghan, shared insights on Hello! magazine’s A Right Royal Podcast. This insider claimed Archie was attending a well-regarded preschool in Montecito, which seemed reasonable given the area's top-tier schools, such as Cold Spring School, known for its stellar reputation and elite student body. However, the story took an unexpected turn when one of these schools denied having any record of Archie or Lilibet's enrollment. If the children truly attended school in Montecito, why has no one seen Meghan or Harry dropping them off? Why haven’t other parents mentioned playdates or school events involving the Sussex children? The absence of any public sightings has left even royal watchers puzzled.
Before jumping to extreme conclusions, it’s important to consider the facts. In the U.S., preschool typically begins at age four, with kindergarten following at five. Given Archie’s age, there should be at least some evidence of his attendance—whether through casual mentions by fellow parents, glimpses of Meghan picking him up, or even paparazzi photos. Yet, there is nothing. The situation becomes even more baffling when revisiting a past incident involving Santa Barbara Child Protective Services. Reports suggested that while Harry was in London, CPS was called to check on Archie’s welfare, only to find that the address listed for the Sussex family did not match a child of Archie’s description. If true, this revelation only adds another layer to an already perplexing situation.
As with anything related to the Sussexes, the internet is brimming with theories—some more outlandish than others. One of the most extreme claims suggests that Archie and Lilibet do not exist at all. Skeptics argue that photos of the children appear inconsistent, with variations in facial features, sizes, and angles. Unlike other royals who occasionally release official family portraits, Meghan and Harry have shared only a handful of carefully curated images, fueling speculation rather than quelling it. Another theory posits that while the children do exist, they are being raised in extreme privacy, possibly in a different location such as Los Angeles, where Meghan has been linked to various schools. This would explain the lack of sightings in Montecito but raises the question—why such secrecy? A more moderate perspective suggests that the Sussexes are simply controlling the narrative, choosing when and how their children are seen. By restricting access to their private lives, they ensure that public curiosity remains high, keeping them relevant in global discussions.
Royal experts have weighed in, noting that the Sussexes’ ongoing controversies fit into a broader pattern. Angela Levin, a well-known commentator, has described their journey as a remarkable fall from grace. Once adored, they now seem to attract continuous scrutiny, whether due to their failed Spotify deal, strained royal connections, or financial challenges in Hollywood. Could the ambiguity surrounding their children be yet another element of their calculated media strategy?
At first glance, the debate over Archie and Lilibet’s schooling might seem trivial. However, it raises larger issues about trust, transparency, and media manipulation. Royals are expected to share aspects of their lives with the public, but Meghan and Harry demand privacy while also engaging in selective publicity. By carefully curating which details are revealed, are they misleading the public, or simply protecting their children? Moreover, does the public have an inherent right to know? Are fans and media outlets overstepping, or are the Sussexes deliberately cultivating an air of mystery to keep themselves in the headlines?
Ultimately, only Meghan and Harry truly know where their children are enrolled—if anywhere. Yet, as long as questions remain unanswered, speculation will continue to grow. If a major Montecito preschool has denied the children's enrollment, then where are they attending? Or, more intriguingly, are they even living in Montecito at all? One thing is certain—when it comes to the Sussexes, the royal drama is far from over.
This ongoing debate also raises a broader question about royal children’s privacy. Traditionally, British royal children have been part of public life from birth. Prince William and Prince Harry were frequently photographed during their childhood—on official tours, school drop-offs, and family outings. Even the current generation, including Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, occasionally makes public appearances. Meghan and Harry, however, have chosen a different path. Since stepping back from royal duties, they have fiercely guarded their children’s privacy, releasing only a handful of curated images. While some commend them for prioritizing their children’s well-being, others argue that their selective secrecy only intensifies public curiosity.
Critics highlight an apparent contradiction in the Sussexes’ approach. The more they withhold, the more they remain in the public eye. Could this be part of a strategic PR move? The scarcity of information creates demand, ensuring that Meghan and Harry’s names stay relevant. By breaking royal traditions and controlling media narratives through exclusive Netflix deals, memoirs, and interviews, they dictate the conversation rather than letting tabloids take the lead. If their goal is to keep the world talking, it’s undeniably effective—but at what cost?
There are clear risks to maintaining this level of secrecy. First, credibility issues arise—the more the Sussexes obscure their children’s whereabouts, the more skeptics question the truth. Second, rather than dispelling rumors, the lack of visibility only fuels wilder theories, from claims that the children do not exist to suggestions that they are raised elsewhere. Third, public fatigue is a real possibility. While mystery is intriguing, endless controversy can become tiresome, leading even former supporters to lose interest.
Given all this, what are the most plausible explanations for Archie and Lilibet’s elusive school records? One possibility is that they are homeschooled or privately tutored, allowing Meghan and Harry full control over their education and upbringing. This would account for the absence of school drop-offs and parent interactions. Another explanation is that they are attending a different school—possibly in Los Angeles—supporting claims that Meghan spends more time there than widely assumed. If so, Montecito schools would naturally have no record of them. The most extreme theory suggests that the children are not being raised in Montecito at all. Some speculate that Meghan and Harry might be living separately, with Meghan spending significant time in LA while Harry travels for work. Others propose that the children are being raised by close family or nannies in a more secluded location. While speculative, the lack of consistent sightings leaves room for such conjecture.
One of the greatest ironies of Meghan and Harry’s post-royal life is their ongoing battle with the media. They have publicly denounced press intrusion, citing it as a reason for stepping away from royal duties. Yet, they remain deeply engaged with the media—through high-profile interviews, documentaries, and book releases. If complete privacy was the goal, they could have withdrawn entirely. Instead, they have chosen to control the narrative on their own terms, ensuring they remain at the center of public discourse. The mystery surrounding their children is just another chapter in their ever-evolving saga.
