Prince Harry reveals the British traditions his family has embraced since returning to the UK

Prince Harry says life back in Britain has already brought some familiar comforts for his family, from long walks to a food he once struggled to persuade his children to try.

Speaking to HELLO! at the WellChild Awards in London on Monday night, September 21, the Duke of Sussex, 42, revealed that Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, have developed a taste for Marmite on crumpets since moving back to the UK with him and Meghan.

The family returned to Britain from California in August, with Archie and Lilibet beginning school in the UK. Harry has since resumed a series of charity engagements, while Meghan has largely concentrated on helping the children settle into their new routine

Walks, Marmite and a taste of home

Asked what the most British thing he and his family had done since returning from California, Harry initially gave a simple answer.

“Gone for a walk. Lots of walks. Isn’t that the most British thing?”

He then added another example that appeared to mean even more to him: Marmite on crumpets.

“OK yes Marmite on crumpets,” he said, adding that he hoped the combination counted as a British tradition because Marmite had always been part of his own life.

The fact that Archie and Lilibet now eat it was, in Harry’s words, “a big moment” for him.

The children had previously teased him for keeping Marmite in the house while the family was living in California. Their attitude has apparently changed since the move.

“They do, they do very much,” Harry said when asked whether they now enjoy the distinctive spread.

“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.”

Harry also recalled another British staple he had attempted to introduce to the children while they were still living in California.

“I already tried beans on toast,” he said.

“That was in California. That was years ago. It didn’t go down very well at all.”

The comments offer a small glimpse into the family’s adjustment to life in Britain, with everyday routines and familiar foods becoming part of their new chapter.

Archie and Lilibet had the “Monday blues”

Harry also shared a relatable moment from the family breakfast table earlier that morning.

With Archie and Lilibet adjusting to school in Britain, the children were apparently feeling the familiar “Monday blues”.

Harry compared their mood with his own memories of experiencing the “Sunday night blues” before being sent away to boarding school.

But he found a way to turn things around by telling them about the evening ahead.

“You know what you are just being a little bit tricky so I am going to tell you what I am doing tonight,” he recalled telling them.

The approach worked. Harry said the children became genuinely interested in what he would be doing at the WellChild Awards and began asking him questions about the event.

The annual ceremony has particular significance for Harry. WellChild, a national charity supporting seriously ill children and their families, confirmed that the 2026 awards were held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on September 21. Harry has served as the charity’s patron for 18 years and attended the ceremony for the 16th time.

Fatherhood has changed the way Harry sees WellChild

Harry also spoke about how becoming a parent has affected his experience of the awards.

The event celebrates children living with serious and complex medical conditions, as well as the families, carers and healthcare professionals who support them.

“Once you become a parent it does change everything,” Harry said.

He stressed that this did not mean meeting the children had mattered less to him before he became a father. Instead, parenthood had given him a different perspective and a greater appreciation for having healthy children himself.

“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 became visibly emotional during the evening as he spoke about the families represented at the awards. ITV reported that he fought back tears while praising the parents and carers of seriously ill children.

The ceremony brought Harry together with this year’s award winners, including Margot Jones-Billington, Will Messer and other children and young people recognised for their courage and achievements. WellChild said Harry spent time with each of the winners and their families before the ceremony.

A new way for the children to understand his charity work

Harry said he and Meghan also want their children to gain a better understanding of other people’s lives through the work they do.

With the family now living in Britain rather than 5,000 miles away, he said it should be easier for them to be available to charities they support and to spend more time with organisations whose work they value.

The return has also brought Harry closer to the charity commitments he maintained while living in the United States. WellChild noted that he has continued attending its awards throughout his time abroad, and his appearance on September 21 marked his 16th attendance at the ceremony.

Harry’s appearance also included a number of personal moments with the award winners and their families.

He met Margot Jones-Billington, who received the Inspirational Child award for children aged four to six, and Will Messer, the winner in the seven-to-11 category. He also met Sofia Dobson, who showed him a book documenting the occasion when she met heavy metal band Metallica.

Inspirational Nurse winner Rachel Shanahan and her husband Paul gave Harry a mug and tea towel as welcome-home gifts for his new house. Shanahan, who has dedicated 20 years to caring for seriously ill children, was recognised at the ceremony for her work.

Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain

Harry and Meghan returned to Britain with Archie and Lilibet in August, ending a period of family life based in California. The children have since started school in the UK.

Harry has already made several public and charity appearances since the move, while Meghan has remained focused primarily on the children as they settle into their new surroundings.

For Harry, the WellChild Awards marked another important link with the charitable work he has maintained for years. The 2026 ceremony was particularly significant for WellChild, which is marking 20 years of its WellChild Nurse programme. The charity says the programme has supported thousands of children and families and helped them move from hospital care toward living more of their lives at home.

Against that backdrop, Harry’s comments about walks, Marmite and crumpets offered a much more ordinary glimpse of the family’s transition to Britain.

For Archie and Lilibet, at least, some of the country’s most familiar tastes now appear to be finding a place at the breakfast table.