Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have offered a glimpse of their family life in Britain, with a new Instagram video showing Archie and Lilibet enjoying muddy puddles, woodland walks, cycling and a fishing trip as the Sussexes settle into their new home in the Cotswolds.
The 34-second montage, shared by the Duchess of Sussex, captures a markedly rural side of the family’s life after their move from California last month.
Seven-year-old Archie and five-year-old Lilibet are seen exploring the countryside, while Harry and Meghan walk with their children and the family’s Labrador, Pula.
Meghan and Harry are shown walking in wellingtons through the woods, with Meghan beckoning to the camera, thought to be held by one of the children, and saying ‘Come on, you!’
Lilibet rides towards a group of deer on a pink tasselled bicycle with a doll in its chair, while her brother Archie runs on ahead
The next scene to appear in the video is of a family fishing trip with labrador Pula. ‘I got this’, says Archie in what appears to be an American accent
A glimpse of the Sussexes’ autumn in Britain
The video opens with one of the children’s wellington boots splashing through a muddy puddle.
Meghan and Harry are then shown walking hand in hand along a country lane, with Meghan turning towards the camera and calling: “Come on, you!”
Lilibet appears in another scene warming her bare feet beside a fire, quietly humming.
Moments later, a pair of wellies—apparently Archie’s—come stomping into a muddy puddle.
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The five-year-old is also shown riding a pink, tasselled bicycle along a track. A doll sits in a small chair attached to the back of the bike as Lilibet rides towards a group of deer in a park.
Harry can then be heard calling his son’s name as Archie runs into view wearing a pink shirt and blue wellies.
The family dog, Pula, features prominently as he bounds along a wooded path surrounded by trees and ferns.
Wham!’s Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go plays over the footage as the family continues their outdoor adventure.
Princess Lilibet is seen warming her little bare feet next to the fire, humming contentedly
Prince Archie splashes into the scene, stomping his wellies in a muddy puddle
The family’s labrador Pula is seen walking along a wooded path dappled with sunlight
Fish splash beneath rods as Archie commentates, determined to reel them in
Fishing with Harry and Meghan
The final part of the montage shows the family on a fishing trip.
Harry is seen preparing a hook on a fishing rod while sitting in a rowboat on a lake. Pula plays along the bank nearby.
Archie can be heard confidently saying, “I got this,” as fish move through the water.
The family’s outdoor activities give a glimpse into the quieter countryside lifestyle they have adopted since returning to Britain.
Pula’s name has also attracted attention because it means “rain” in Botswana, a country Harry has previously spoken about describing as his “second home”.
Throughout the video, Meghan used a Union flag and red heart emoji instead of a conventional caption.
The family’s new life in the Cotswolds
Harry and Meghan recently moved into their new home in the Cotswolds after spending six years in the United States.
They are understood to be keeping their mansion in Montecito, California, while also owning a holiday property in Portugal.
The couple have recently said they are “happy to be back” in Britain, and Archie and Lilibet have already started school.
Their return, however, has taken place against the backdrop of continuing tensions between the Sussexes and the Royal Family.
King Charles makes Sussex status clear
The family’s move back to Britain came shortly before Buckingham Palace made clear that Harry and Meghan remain private citizens rather than working members of the Royal Family.
A letter from King Charles was sent to senior government officials, military leaders, Lord Lieutenants and the Sussexes’ team, clarifying their status.
The development followed reports surrounding Uganda’s withdrawal from Harry’s Invictus Games, the sporting event he founded for wounded military veterans.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s chief of defence and the son of the country’s president, said the country was withdrawing from the Games so it would not be seen as opposing King Charles III.
The Sussexes were reportedly surprised by the King’s letter after speculation that their return to Britain might involve some form of “half in, half out” arrangement.
Those hopes now appear to have been ruled out.
People close to Harry and Meghan have claimed that the principal people affected by Uganda’s decision were the competitors who had been preparing to participate in the Games.
Security remains a major issue
The couple’s return has also revived the long-running dispute over Harry’s security arrangements in Britain.
Harry and Meghan lost access to automatic taxpayer-funded police protection after stepping back as working royals in 2020 and relocating to the United States.
Harry has repeatedly challenged that decision and has argued that his position as the son of the monarch, fifth in line to the throne and a former British Army officer who served two tours in Afghanistan makes adequate protection necessary.
He reportedly made a private appeal to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for a decision over whether the government would fund security for his family.
In a BBC interview last year, Harry said he was prepared to reconcile with his family and described the dispute over police protection as the final major obstacle.
The issue has become particularly relevant now that the Sussexes are once again living in Britain with their children.
Harry’s busy autumn schedule
Despite the ongoing disagreements, Harry’s schedule in Britain remains busy.
He is due to attend the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards on Thursday, with speculation that Meghan could accompany him.
The event falls on the same day that the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, are scheduled to make a visit to the Isle of Bute.
During their Scottish engagement, William and Catherine are expected to visit Rothesay—the town that inspired their Scottish titles, Duke and Duchess of Rothesay—and spend time with locals at the Anchor Tavern.
King Charles also has a major engagement scheduled for the same day, with plans to attend a meeting with global artificial intelligence leaders focused on developing AI “for the good of humanity”.
Harry’s other engagements this month include the launch of the Invictus education programme INSPIRE.
He is also due to attend the WellChild Awards in London on September 21. The prince has supported the charity, which helps ill children and their families, since his early years as a working royal.
Meghan considers returning to charity work
While Harry continues his public engagements, Meghan is reportedly considering becoming more involved in charitable causes now that Archie and Lilibet are settling into their new life.
A source close to the Duchess previously said she wanted to reconnect with people and organisations she had worked with in the past.
Among them is Smart Works, the charity supporting unemployed and vulnerable women seeking employment.
Meghan held four patronages after marrying Harry in 2018, but Smart Works was the only one she continued to support after the couple stepped away from royal duties.
The source said Meghan was considering how she could become more involved again with causes she had previously supported and was passionate about, as well as potentially taking on new causes.
There have also been reports that Meghan could return to acting. Guy Ritchie was previously believed to have offered her a role in his television series The Gentlemen, although reports said the idea was later abandoned following a backlash.
For now, however, the latest glimpse into the Sussexes’ life in Britain is far removed from Hollywood premieres or Montecito glamour.
Instead, Harry and Meghan’s children are seen splashing through autumn puddles, riding through the countryside, walking among the trees and trying their hand at fishing—offering a rare look at the family’s quieter days after their return to the UK.
