Update: Inside the private life the Sussexes gave up royalty for: Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet’s family album…..See More

In 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex gave up their positions as senior working royals in pursuit of a quieter, more private life in the US. One where they could raise a family away from the restrictions of the monarchy and scrutiny of the press.

Five years on, they’ve succeeded in building the family life they always wanted with son Prince Archie, five, and daughter Princess Lilibet, three. (Both children were born without titles but inherited them when their paternal grandfather was crowned King Charles III).

Keep reading to get a glimpse inside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s family life with their two children and relive the journey they went on to secure it.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were starting a family of their own in May 2018, right as they touched down in Sydney for their first royal tour of Australia.

The couple shared the exciting news that Meghan was pregnant at the very start of their trip, delighting Australian royal fans and sparking plenty of questions about so-called “Baby Sussex”.

The Duchess of Sussex was believed to be about 12 weeks pregnant when this photo was taken the day after she and Harry announced they were expecting.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their first child together on May 6, 2019, but didn’t reveal his name at first. It wasn’t the only royal family tradition the new parents bucked with their first baby.

Unlike previous royal mothers, Meghan gave birth at the Portland Hospital in London and opted not to appear on the hospital steps for the traditional photo op with her newborn son.

Instead, she and Harry hosted a private photo session with members of the royal rota at Windsor Castle on May 8, two days after his birth, where they announced his name: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

The new parents also introduced Archie to his royal great-grandparents Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on May 8.

Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland was also present for the special meeting, as she had travelled from the US to the UK to support her daughter through the birth and newborn phase.

“He’s got the sweetest temperament, he’s so calm,” Meghan said of her son that day, to which Harry replied, “Wonder where he gets that from?”

He added, “Parenting is amazing … we’re just so thrilled to have our own little bundle of joy.”

Archie was just a few days old when he made his Instagram debut on the since-deleted Sussex Royal Instagram account, where his parents shared this sweet photo to mark UK Mother’s Day in 2019.

The photo also honoured the paternal grandmother he’d never meet, the late Princess Diana, as it featured her favourite flower in the background: forget-me-nots.

“Paying tribute to all mothers today – past, present, mothers-to-be, and those lost but forever remembered. We honour and celebrate each and every one of you,” the photo was captioned.