Royal expert warns Prince Harry and Meghan Markle that their children could feel ‘trapped’ in America for this poignant reason

The family may have left the UK, but the same royal problems can still repeat themselves

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
(Image credit: Future/Getty)

A royal expert believes that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children could be left feeling ‘trapped’ in America as they try to navigate a normal life with royal titles. 


While there has been a lot speculation that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may be planning to move their family back to the UK, for now at least, the couple appear to be enjoying their time in LA and are said to be 'embracing the normalcy of their new lives.'

Their current summer days are set to be filled with 'picnics, barbecues, and laying out by the pool' but, with less than a month left of the summer holidays, families are gearing up to send their kids back to school and buying the best new school shoes and school supplies - and it's no different for the royals.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's oldest child and only son, Prince Archie, is set to move up to Kindergarden this year, marking a big step forward in his education and prompting Meghan to follow in Kate's footsteps by breaking this royal back-to-school tradition. But one royal expert has warned the parents that this step up could bring some unwanted attention on their kids for a poignant reason. 

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Prince Archie

(Image credit: Getty)

Tom Quinn, author of Gilded Youth: An Intimate History of Growing Up in the Royal Family, told The Daily Express US, has warned Harry and Meghan that Archie and Lilibet could soon feel 'horribly trapped' in America as they struggle to navigate cherished American ideals with their royal titles. 

He explained that the 'American Dream,' an ideal promising that anyone no matter their circumstances can earn a good living and 'make it' in the country, means many Americans dislike those who hold unearned privilege. 

The expert notes that because Archie and Lilibet benefit from the 'hereditary monarchy' and are known as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet that they are the complete opposite of this American idea and may learn so the hard way.

The author said, "I can imagine Lilibet and Archie are going to get teased at school, possibly bullied, because people say, 'Oh, you're a prince and princess. You're horribly trapped."

Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor

(Image credit: Netlix)

He also pointed out that the same struggle applies to royals here in the UK and even King Charles himself was a victim of bullying due to his position in the royal line of succession

He revealed, "When Charles went to Gordonstoun, at first he thought he would be treated with respect because he was the heir to the throne. In fact, that meant he was bullied far more than the other boys."

Prince Edward also faced similar problems when he launched a production company for television and theatre in 1993, with Quinn saying, "People said, 'Oh, he only got that because he's a member of the royal family'."

According to Quinn, the impact of their titles will likely affect Archie and Lilibet more in the US than if they were in the UK as 'America doesn't value these things as much as we do here.'

He said, "If you're born into these things, people might early on say, 'how marvellous', but the glitter wears off and then you have got to find what to do with your life.

"That's the question. And it will be a question for Harry too."

News writer

Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse is a news writer for Goodtoknow, specialising in family content. She began her freelance journalism career after graduating from Nottingham Trent University with an MA in Magazine Journalism, receiving an NCTJ diploma, and earning a First Class BA (Hons) in Journalism at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute. She has also worked with BBC Good Food and The Independent.