He’s not a baby anymore. Honestly, it feels like just yesterday the world was squinting at those grainy, high-contrast photos of a tiny bundle in Windsor, but Prince Archie now is a full-blown California kid with a personality that’s starting to leak into the public eye. He's six. Six! It’s that age where the "royal" part of his title probably matters a whole lot less to him than, say, catching a wave or helping his mom in the kitchen.
People are obsessed with what’s going on in Montecito. We get it. There’s this weird vacuum of information because Harry and Meghan have been—rightfully, some would say—protective to the point of obsession. But lately, the veil has slipped just a little bit. We’re seeing a kid who is sixth in line to the British throne but seems more interested in the local surf scene at Santa Claus Beach than anything involving a scepter.
The Reality of Prince Archie Now: Surfing and School Runs
If you’re looking for a formal portrait of a kid in a velvet suit, you’re looking in the wrong decade. Prince Archie now is growing up in a world of sunscreen and private school uniforms. Reports from late 2025 and early 2026 suggest he’s already hitting the water. Just last August, he was spotted at Carpinteria, nearly a year after Harry took up surfing himself.
Imagine that. A British Prince catching waves in the Pacific.
It’s a far cry from the life his cousins George, Charlotte, and Louis are living over at Adelaide Cottage. While the Wales kids are being prepped for the heavy lifting of monarchy, Archie is navigating the first grade in a Southern California private school. It’s rumored to be one of those high-end spots—think $50,000 to $60,000 a year—where privacy isn't just a request; it's a built-in feature of the tuition.
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Why the Privacy Matters
Harry’s been vocal about his trauma with the press. You know the story. So, the fact that we only see Archie in carefully curated moments—like the family’s 2025 Christmas card where he’s wrapping Harry in a massive hug on a wooden bridge—is entirely by design.
He’s becoming his own person. He has his father's hair—that unmistakable ginger spark—and his mother's eyes. But he’s also becoming a "Californian," as royal biographer Christopher Andersen recently put it. He’s learning about Britain in "small doses," but his daily reality is taco Tuesdays and hiking trails.
The Tug-of-War Over His Heritage
Here’s where it gets complicated. Even though he’s living the "American Dream," the shadow of the UK is long. There’s a lot of talk right now about Harry wanting to "divide his time." Why? Because he supposedly wants Archie and Lilibet to know their grandfather, King Charles.
- The Security Barrier: This is the big one. Harry has been fighting the UK government for armed security. Without it, he won't bring the kids over. It’s a stalemate.
- The Cousin Connection: Archie hasn't really hung out with George, Charlotte, or Louis in years. That’s a whole wing of the family tree that's basically just faces on a screen to him.
- The Future Title: He is Prince Archie of Sussex. Whether he uses it in the lunchroom or not, that title follows him. It’s a heavy thing for a six-year-old to carry, even if he doesn't quite get it yet.
Honestly, it’s kinda sad when you think about it. The kid is caught in the middle of a family feud that started before he could even walk.
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A Typical Day for the Young Prince?
While we don’t have a hidden camera in the Montecito mansion (thank god), we can piece together what Prince Archie now does based on what the Sussexes have shared. He’s active. He’s into "philanthropy" in a kid-way—like when he and Lilibet helped prepare meals at Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA) before Thanksgiving last year.
He’s learning the "Archewell" way. It’s about being "present." Meghan and Harry recently talked about this during an Oprah Daily event, mentioning how they’re trying to navigate the digital world with their kids. They’re reading books like The Amazing Generation to figure out how to keep Archie off the "smartphone trap."
"Our son. Our sun."
That was Meghan’s caption for his 6th birthday. It says everything. To the world, he’s a Prince. To them, he’s just the light of their lives.
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The British Education Rumors
Will he ever go to Eton like his dad? Some royal insiders, like former butler Grant Harrold, think Harry is "quite keen" on a British education eventually. Maybe a gap year? Or maybe a summer at a posh UK camp? It’s possible, but given how settled they are in Santa Barbara, it feels like a stretch.
What’s Next for Archie?
As we move through 2026, expect to see Archie in very specific, "purpose-driven" moments. The Sussexes aren't going to start a reality show, but they are involving the kids more in their foundation work.
- More Volunteer Work: We’ll likely see him at more community events in LA or Montecito.
- A UK Visit? If the security situation finally resolves, a trip to see "Grandpa Wales" might actually happen.
- The Big Brother Role: He’s clearly protective of Lilibet. In recent videos, they’re often seen playing together—Lili even filmed a video of her parents dancing that went viral recently.
The reality of Prince Archie now is that he’s a bridge between two worlds. He’s a Prince of the United Kingdom and a kid from California. He’s a descendant of the House of Windsor and a boy who likes to jump around in dance class.
If you want to keep up with his journey, your best bet is to follow the Archewell Philanthropies updates rather than the gossip rags. The real story isn't in the drama; it's in how this kid is carving out a normal life in an incredibly abnormal situation.
Check out the latest official updates on the Archewell Philanthropies website to see the family's current community projects, or keep an eye on reputable royal correspondents like Omid Scobie for nuanced takes on the family's travel plans for the rest of 2026.