Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently shared sweet stories about their family visits to Disney parks. They talked about their own childhood memories and what it was like taking their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, this year. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared on ABC’s “The Happiest Story on Earth: 70 Years of Disneyland – Special Edition of 20/20.” This special aired on Sunday, September 21st, and gave us a peek into their Disneyland trip in June for Lilibet’s fourth birthday.
Meghan, who is 44, called it “incredible” to see the Disney park through her children’s eyes. She recalled her own first visits to the famous Anaheim, California spot. “It’s truly magical,” Meghan explained. “I’m a Southern California girl. So, going to Disneyland is easier for me than for most people. But it’s still the greatest privilege in the world.” She grew up in Los Angeles. She shared a funny memory about “Grad Nite.” “One of my biggest Disneyland experiences was going during Grad Nite,” she added. “Grad Nite is for all high school seniors. You go after hours, when it’s dark. I don’t know why they let us do that! It’s hilarious!”
Harry, 41, joked about Meghan’s Grad Nite story. “That’s something I should probably do,” he said. “Can you do that in your forties?” he wondered with a laugh. Harry then looked back at his own childhood visit to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. This trip happened in 1993 with his mom, Princess Diana, and his brother, Prince William. “As a kid, I remember being so excited by all the characters,” Harry recalled. “I was truly thrilled! ‘This is amazing!'” He added that “Space Mountain was one of my favorite things.”
Meghan sweetly reminded Harry, “It’s still one of your favorite rides, by the way.” He admitted he’d been on that attraction “probably 10, 12 times.” These proud parents got to revisit one of Harry’s own childhood memories during their trip with Archie, 6, and Lili. The photos and videos shared by Meghan in June showed that the family enjoyed a ride on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This ride is a new version of what Harry rode in 1993. Back then, it was called Splash Mountain, and he went on it with his mom and brother.
Meghan shared how special their recent trip was. “For us, to be able to have our own childhood memories,” she said. “Then to see them recreated through our daughter’s birthday… Archie even asked, ‘When’s my birthday?'” Harry chimed in about their kids’ excitement. “Seeing the children dive into these experiences when they had no idea what they were going to, was incredible,” he added. “It makes you bring out the kid in yourself too.”
Meghan captured Lili’s birthday fun at Disneyland on Instagram back in June. She posted a video reel set to Peggy Lee’s song, “It’s a Good Day.” The video featured photos of the family walking through the park in Mickey Mouse hats. It also showed Lili meeting Elsa from ‘Frozen,’ and her ‘Little Mermaid’-themed birthday cake. “Thank you @disneyland for giving our family two days of pure joy!” Meghan wrote with the post.