Prince Harry and Meghan Markle marked their daughter Princess Lilibet’s fourth birthday with a family outing to Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The visit included their son, Prince Archie, and a close family friend, reportedly joining them for the celebration. The event offered a joyful moment for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, providing a rare glimpse into their family life in the United States.
A Special Day at the Disneyland Resort
According to publicly available imagery shared on social media and confirmed by entertainment news outlets such as People and HELLO! Magazine, the Sussex family visited Disneyland around the date of Princess Lilibet’s birthday, which is officially June 4. The theme park, known for being “The Happiest Place on Earth,” has long been a destination for families celebrating special occasions.
Disneyland Resort offers a wide range of attractions for all ages and is often visited by high-profile guests, including celebrities and public figures, due to its privacy-enhancing services such as VIP tours and private guides (source: Disneyland VIP Tours – Disney Parks).
Family Outing with a Longtime Friend
During the family’s visit, images surfaced online that included a man seen accompanying the Sussexes. While Meghan Markle did not publicly identify the individual in the photos, several reputable entertainment outlets, including HELLO! Magazine and People, suggested that the guest could be Markus Anderson, a longtime friend of Meghan and an executive with Soho House, a global members-only club.
Markus Anderson serves as the Global Membership Director at Soho House, a role he earned after beginning his career with the company in Toronto. Anderson and Meghan became close friends during her time living in Canada while filming the television series Suits (source: Vanity Fair). He is widely regarded as a trusted figure within Meghan’s circle and has accompanied her on numerous private and public occasions in the past.
While Anderson has not made frequent appearances in the public spotlight, his connection to the Duchess of Sussex is well-documented through photographs at public events and media coverage.
Disneyland’s Premium Experience for Guests
For high-profile visitors, Disneyland offers a number of premium services to ensure privacy and a smooth experience. According to CNBC and USA Today, the VIP Tour Service at Disneyland allows guests to bypass general admission lines, enter through cast member entrances, and access curated experiences based on personal preferences. These services often include guided tours, reserved seating for shows and parades, and dining reservations at exclusive locations such as Club 33, a private dining club located within the park (source: USA Today).
As of 2024, Disneyland’s VIP tour pricing ranges between $4,200 and $7,000 per day depending on party size, time of year, and requested experiences. These services are often used by celebrities, athletes, and public figures seeking enhanced security and efficiency during their visit.
While the Sussexes have not publicly confirmed whether they used VIP services during their Disneyland trip, these offerings are available to all park visitors who request them through official Disney channels.
Princess Lilibet’s Birthday Celebration
Princess Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born on June 4, 2021, in Santa Barbara, California. Her birth was officially announced by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex via their non-profit organization Archewell (source: Archewell Foundation). Lilibet is the second child of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, following her brother Prince Archie, born in 2019.
Her name honors both Queen Elizabeth II, whose family nickname was “Lilibet,” and Diana, Princess of Wales, Harry’s late mother. The couple shared that they were “blessed” by the arrival of their daughter and grateful for the well-wishes they received from around the world.
A Generational Link to Disney Parks
The trip to Disneyland holds a sentimental connection for Prince Harry. In 1993, Harry visited Walt Disney World in Florida with his mother, Princess Diana, and his brother, Prince William. At the time, Prince Harry was just eight years old. Photographs from that trip—widely circulated by global news agencies including AFP and Getty Images—showed a young Harry enjoying the rides and attractions alongside his family.
The memory of that trip, which included visits to popular attractions such as Splash Mountain, has remained a part of the public’s visual memory of Princess Diana’s dedication to creating normal childhood experiences for her sons (source: Getty Images Archives).
By celebrating Princess Lilibet’s birthday at Disneyland, Harry and Meghan appear to be creating similarly joyful memories for their own children. The visit reflects a continuation of traditions that prioritize family bonding and shared experiences, even while living outside the United Kingdom.
Public Interest in the Sussexes’ Private Life
While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex maintain a relatively private lifestyle in California, public interest in their family remains high. Their move to the United States in 2020, and subsequent step back from official royal duties, brought renewed media attention and public debate. However, Harry and Meghan have consistently emphasized their focus on family and philanthropic efforts.
Through initiatives like the Archewell Foundation and their production partnerships with companies like Netflix and Spotify, the couple has used their platform to support mental health, digital safety, and community empowerment (source: Archewell Foundation).
Conclusion
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s family trip to Disneyland to celebrate Princess Lilibet’s birthday offered a rare and heartwarming glimpse into their lives as parents. Accompanied by a close friend, reportedly Markus Anderson, the family enjoyed a day at one of the world’s most beloved theme parks. Their choice to mark the occasion at Disneyland is consistent with a long-standing royal tradition of creating meaningful memories through family-focused experiences.
As the Sussex family continues to reside in California, their public appearances remain selective, often centered around milestones or charitable initiatives. The Disneyland visit, while lighthearted in nature, highlights the family’s commitment to providing joyful and enriching experiences for their children, much like the ones Prince Harry enjoyed in his own childhood.
Verified Sources:
- Archewell Foundation
- The Royal Family – Official Website
- Disney Parks – VIP Services
- People Magazine
- Vanity Fair
- HELLO! Magazine
- USA Today
