Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ‘sad’ decision over Archie and Lilibet – with just one hope for future

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to purchase a property in Portugal has been seen as the ultimate symbol that the couple wish to integrate some parts of the European way of life in their children’s futures. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have spent very little time in the UK, despite being sixth and seventh in line to the throne, and, as a result, have not spent much time with their royal cousins.

The move will surely be a blessing and will have the potential to foster strong ties between the Sussex children and Princess Eugenie’s sons, August and Ernest Brooksbank, as the family already split their time between the UK and Portugal.

The fact that Archie and Lilibet will be able to have a connection to their father’s side of the family is praised by Jennie, while she recognises it would be “sad” for them not to be closer to their relatives, as she adds: “It can only be good for the children to mix with at least some of their royal cousins.

“How curious, and sad, it will be for Archie and Lilibet if they grow up knowing they are part of one of the most famous families in the world — and yet they are estranged from almost all of them. To know that their grandfather and uncle were both Kings, and they didn’t know them.”

Reflecting on the pair’s one hope for their children’s futures, Jennie continues: “The Portugal house does suggest that Harry and Meghan want the children to experience European culture, and get to know Eugenie’s kids. Perhaps we shall finally see some pictures of the Sussex brood, playing with their cousins. But, by now, they must be steeped in the Californian way of life and sound like proper little Americans.”