Here’s how different school life will be for royals Archie and Lillibet
Picture this: sunny California, where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have set up their nest. Unlike their royal cousins back in the UK, their children, Archie and Lilibet, are gearing up for a completely different educational experience.
It’s July 2020, and the Sussexes have just moved into their first family home in Montecito after deciding to step back from their senior royal roles. Fast forward to today, and we’re seeing a blend of British charm and American freedom shaping up in the lives of their children.
Archie, at the ripe age of four, is already navigating the American school system, while two-year-old Lilibet’s journey is just about to begin. Each step—from daycare to preschool—is a new adventure, a stark contrast to the early years of their royal counterparts across the ocean.
In the US, children typically start their formal education journey at around five or six with kindergarten, while their UK peers begin compulsory education at four. The Sussexes’ Montecito residence is a stone’s throw away from some of the best schools in the state, making one wonder: will Archie and Lilibet follow the path of private education like their father, or will they take a different route?
A Royal Curriculum
The American education system is a patchwork of public and private schools, with a curriculum that’s not entirely dissimilar to the UK’s. However, there are subtle differences. For instance, Math and Science subjects are taught one at a time rather than concurrently.
As Archie and Lilibet grow, they’ll navigate through elementary, middle, and high school. Meanwhile, their cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, are experiencing the British education system with its GCSEs and A-Levels, preparing them for university and their roles in the royal limelight.
But it’s not all about school books and classrooms. The Sussexes are creating their own family traditions, embracing the festive spirit of their adopted homeland. With Halloween around the corner, one can only imagine the costumes and pumpkin-carving that will fill their home with laughter.
They’ve already shared snippets of these moments, like Archie’s brief stint as a dinosaur costume enthusiast and their collective attempt to enjoy the spooky holiday despite the kids’ lukewarm interest. These celebrations are a stark contrast to their previous life in the UK, where royal engagements often took center stage.
A New Era for the Sussex Family
Life in Montecito has been eventful for Harry and Meghan. Between advocating for mental health awareness and celebrating milestones like Harry’s 39th birthday, they’ve woven their work with their family life seamlessly. Their recent travels, from Germany to a romantic getaway in the Caribbean, hint at a life lived on their own terms, balancing their public responsibilities with private joys.
Now, let’s talk about dual citizenship. Both Archie and Lilibet hold dual citizenship in the US and the UK—a nod to their unique position in the world. They are at the crossroads of two cultures, two nations, and potentially, two different destinies.
As the couple announced the birth of their daughter, Lilibet ‘Lili’ Diana, they reminded the world of their deep connections to their roots, with names that honor both the Queen and the late Princess of Wales.
In this blend of the traditional and the contemporary, the Sussexes are charting a course that’s all their own. They’re crafting a narrative that’s as much about the legacy they’ve inherited as it is about the future they’re building. So, what will the next chapter hold for this family that keeps us guessing at every turn?
