Prince Harry has shared the “most British” tradition he, Meghan and their children have embraced since moving back to Britain from California.
The Duke of Sussex, 42, revealed that Archie and Lilibet are now happily eating Marmite on crumpets—despite once teasing him for keeping the famously divisive spread at home.
Speaking to HELLO! at the WellChild Awards in London last night, Harry was asked which particularly British activity he had enjoyed with his family since returning to the UK.
“Gone for a walk. Lots of walks. Isn’t that the most British thing?” he joked.
However, the family’s newfound connection to British life apparently extends well beyond countryside strolls—it has also reached the breakfast table.
“OK, yes, Marmite on crumpets—please tell me that is a British thing because it has always been in my life, and now the kids are eating Marmite on crumpets, which is a big moment for me.”
When asked whether seven-year-old Archie and five-year-old Lilibet enjoyed the distinctive spread, Harry confirmed: “They do, they do very much.”
He continued: “They used to dis me for having Marmite in the house, but now we are in the UK, that is kind of water under the bridge.”
The Sussex children have not been won over by every classic British breakfast, however. Harry said they were considerably less enthusiastic when he previously served them another familiar dish.
“I already tried beans on toast,” he said.
Prince Harry spoke to HELLO! at the WellChild Awards in London about the most British tradition he has shared with his family since returning to the UK
The Duke of Sussex embraces Adeleigh, the sister of Margot Jones-Billington, at the 2026 WellChild Awards
Harry poses with Gaby Roslin and the winners at the annual awards ceremony held at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel
Asked how the meal had been received, the Duke replied: “That was in California. That was years ago. It didn’t go down very well at all.”
The amusing anecdote came as Harry discussed family life at the WellChild Awards, where he appeared visibly moved during the evening.
He adopted a more thoughtful tone while explaining how fatherhood has changed his experience of the charity’s annual event, which honours seriously ill children and the families who care for them.
“Once you become a parent it does change everything,” Harry said.
“It is not the fact that all the years I wasn’t a parent that meeting the kids didn’t matter as much, but you suddenly realise how grateful you are to have kids that are not sick.”
Harry also described a relatable moment from earlier that morning, saying Archie and Lilibet were dealing with the “Monday blues” before heading to school.
“Breakfast this morning they had Monday blues,” he said, likening their mood to the “Sunday night blues” he experienced before being sent away to boarding school.
But the Duke said he managed to turn the mood around by explaining what he would be doing at the WellChild ceremony later that evening.
‘You know what you are just being a little bit tricky so I am going to tell you what I am doing tonight and they were genuinely fascinated and interested and had all sorts of questions.’
The Duke of Sussex receives a gift of a mug and tea towel for his new house by the winner of the Inspirational Nurse, Rachel Shanahan (right) and her husband Paul (centre)
Harry meets with winner of the Inspirational Child 4-6, Margot Jones-Billington during the WellChild Awards 2026
The Duke meets with winner of the Inspirational Child aged 7-11, Will Messer
Duke of Sussex is shown a book of when the winner of the Inspirational Young Person 12-14
Harry said he and Meghan want to use their work to help their children understand more about the lives of others, adding that now ‘no longer being 5000 miles away should make it easier to be more available to support the charities that need us and that we really enjoy working with’.
His comments come after Harry and Meghan returned to Britain with Archie and Lilibet from their California home in August, with the children beginning school in the UK.
The Sussexes have spent recent weeks settling into their new life in Britain, with Harry making a series of charity appearances while Meghan has remained focused on the children.
The Duke’s return has also allowed him to spend more time with WellChild, a cause he has supported for 18 years.
He attended the charity’s 2026 awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Monday night, where he met winners and their families before presenting the Inspirational Child award to six-year-old Margot Jones-Billington.
Harry also gave a speech during the ceremony, saying the awards were an opportunity to celebrate children and young people living with complex medical needs as well as the families supporting them.
The event marks the latest chapter in Harry’s long association with the charity, which says he has attended the awards on 16 occasions.
And after years of being thousands of miles away, his comments suggest he is relishing the chance to become more closely involved once again.
