Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have never participated in Trooping the Colour, a grand military parade held annually in London to honor the monarch’s official birthday. Despite previous appearances by their parents, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the young royal siblings have been notably absent from the festivities. At this year’s Trooping the Colour, marking King Charles’ official birthday, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, did not join the celebrations.
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While other members of the royal family, including Kate Middleton, Prince William, and their three children, were present at the 2025 event, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have yet to participate in the tradition. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended Trooping the Colour in 2018 and 2019, however, their son Archie was too young to join the parade in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic led to scaled-back events in 2020 and 2021, and although the Sussexes returned in 2022, they watched separately from other working royal family members.
Following King Charles’ ascension to the throne in 2022, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not invited to subsequent Trooping the Colour events, reflecting ongoing family tensions. Princess Lilibet was born in 2021 after Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal duties and moved to California. Since then, the Sussex family has not been included in the annual celebrations. They were absent from the 2023 event, King Charles’ first as monarch, as well as the 2024 and 2025 celebrations.
In a recent interview, Prince Harry expressed doubts about returning to the UK with his family due to a legal dispute regarding security protection. He shared his sadness at potentially not being able to show his children their British heritage firsthand. Despite his love for the country, he acknowledged the challenges in reconciling with his father, King Charles, and his brother, Prince William, given the strained relationships.
While Prince Harry has made solo visits to the UK since stepping back from royal duties, ongoing disputes have hindered communication with his family members. He has expressed a desire for reconciliation but highlighted the complexities involved. Amidst these tensions, the absence of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet from Trooping the Colour underlines the ongoing divide within the royal family. Their non-participation reflects the wider dynamics at play and the complexities of royal relationships in the public eye.
As the royal family continues to navigate these challenges, the absence of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet from Trooping the Colour serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and tensions within the royal household. The young siblings’ non-participation in the annual tradition underscores the ongoing dialogue surrounding royal dynamics and family relationships. As the world watches the royal family evolve and adapt to changing circumstances, the absence of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet from such significant events highlights the intricate web of relationships within the monarchy.