Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet's daily question that prompted strict home rule


The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their two children live in Montecito, where they grow a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables


Harry and Meghan at Invictus© Samir Hussein/WireImage
Nichola Murphy
Nichola MurphyLifestyle Editor
1 hour ago
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's children may be growing up away from the royal spotlight in Montecito, but Meghan Markle ensures she shares rare snippets of their family life with fans.

During her recent appearance on MasterChef Australia, which was filmed in April, Meghan opened up about the eating habits of Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five.

While she described them as "great eaters", the Duchess added that they still ask for sweet treats just like every other family. Sharing her reply to their daily question, she told judges Jean-Christophe Novelli, Poh Ling Yeow and Sofia Levin: "If they say, 'Mama, can I have dessert?' We say, 'If you can pick it, you can have it'."

Meghan with Archie and Lilibet in the garden© Instagram / @meghan
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have rules about dessert at home

It reflects Meghan's , which includes grilled protein and green smoothies. The former Suits actress and Prince Harry also grow their own fruit and vegetables at the Chateau of Riven Rock, which is perfect for healthy snacking.

"[They] jump in a lot, especially with the garden," Meghan continued. "I think it’s such a nice luxury to be able to have so much space and things to cook."

Archie and Lilibet's fruit-filled Cali diet

A young girl picking strawberries© Instagram
Lilibet often picks strawberries with her mother

As well as using their home-picked berries for healthy desserts, Meghan's kids love to include them in homemade breakfasts. 

The doting mother admitted to People in 2025 that she cooks "surprise pancakes" with a mixture of rainbow sprinkles, chocolate chips or blueberries in the shape of a smiley face. 

Archie and Lilibet were also on hand to help with their mother's As Ever products.

"Of course, they love [toast with] jam and fresh fruit preserves, because they were such a part of me making them and for all of our canning," she added.

Harry's childhood sweet tooth

Diana cherished her boys, seen her on Prince Harry's first day at Wetherby Prep school© Getty
Prince Harry and his older brother would get excited over banana flan in their childhood

While Archie and Lilibet are raised on homegrown fruit and low-sugar rules, Prince Harry's own childhood treats were decidedly more traditional. 

At Kensington Palace, Princess Diana used to regularly request one particular dessert for her two young sons, according to former royal chef Darren McGrady, who worked at Buckingham Palace for 11 years followed by Kensington Palace for four.

In a YouTube cooking tutorial, the chef walked royal fans through how to make banana flan, which he described as "nursery food". Banana custard was placed in a pastry shell and topped with chopped bananas brushed with apricot jelly. 

Recalling the excited reaction to the dessert, Darren said: "Whenever the boys were home, Princess Diana would write banana flan in the menu book. And then she'd write H or W at the top to let me know who was coming.

"The boys would come back from school on a Friday to Kensington Palace and come in the kitchen, 'What's for dinner, Darren?' They'd see the banana flan on the side and say, 'Yes!'"

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