Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have surrounded their children with a “chosen” family amid fractured relationships with the Royal Family. As reported by the Daily Mail, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, have gained a host of “surrogate” family members due to living thousands of miles away from the likes of King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
As well as Harry’s royal relatives, Archie and Lilibet have no relationship with many members of Meghan’s family. Meghan, 43, has not been on speaking terms with her father, Thomas Markle, since 2018. She also has two half-siblings via her father’s first marriage – Samantha Markle and Thomas Markle Jnr. Both Samatha and Thomas Markle Jnr are not on speaking terms with the former actress.
Here, the Express delves into who has become “uncle” and “auntie” figures to Meghan and Harry’s two children.
As part of their “surrogate” family, one of the Archie and Lilibet’s famous “aunties” include hairdresser Kadi Lee – who recently appeared on Meghan’s podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder. Meghan revealed that Kadi, who she calls “Auntie Kadi” in the podcast, is greeted by Archie and Lilibet, who “run out” to see her when she arrives at the family’s Montecito home in her car.
Meghan said: “I mean our kids love Auntie Kadi, it’s just our favourite when they run out, your car, it’s like ‘Kadi!”. Kadi then referred to herself as ‘Super Aunt’.
Meghan has also used the “auntie” title to describe her friend and former tennis professional, Serena Williams. Meghan previously posted a clip of Serena and Lilibet on her Instagram of the trio to the backdrop of Bill Withers’ Lovely Day as she wrote: “When the aunties come to celebrate… and to play! Love you @serenawilliams.”
As well as getting close to her children, Meghan also invited the sportswoman to her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 – as well as her star-studded baby shower when pregnant with son Archie in New York City.
Oprah Winfrey has also become a close “auntie” for Archie and Lilibet, with the family living close to the US television host in California. Harry previously dubbed her one of his “fairy godmothers” at a book store opening earlier last September.
As one of Meghan’s closest friends, Kelly McKee Zajfen – who appeared on her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan – has grown close to the Sussex family. Meghan previously enlisted Kelly’s help – as well as that of her two children – as she baked cookies for guests attending the Drew Barrymore show.
Archie and Lilibet’s ‘uncle’ is now Meghan’s best friend and make-up artist, Daniel Martin – who appeared on her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan. Speaking of, and to, Daniel in her series, Meghan said, ‘”Uncle Daniel”, the kids call him. They know Daniel very well, and I love him to pieces.”
Another one of their “uncles” is film composer David Foster – who is dubbed Harry’s “second father”. He said his wife Katharine discovered that Harry and Meghan were in need of a discreet spot for their first Christmas holiday with a then-seven-month-old Archie and Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland, and he was happy to help out.
Filmmaker Tyler Perry is close to the Sussex children and is also Lilibet’s godfather. He was a crucial figure in helping Harry and Meghan settle down in the US, after stepping away from royal duties in 2020.
Lastly, another “uncle” in Archie and Lilibet’s lives is Harry’s friend, Nacho Figueras. He has become a supportive figure in Prince Harry’s new life, away from the Royal Family. Nacho even dubbed Harry his ‘brother’ in a gushing tribute post on Instagram to mark his 40th birthday.
He wrote: ‘Happy 40th brother. From the polo fields to all the moments in between, I’m grateful for the bond we share. Here’s to many more laughs, memories, and good times ahead. Love you.” Meghan is also known to be close to his wife, Delfina Blaquie.
