This past Fourth of July, Prince Harry and his daughter Princess Lilibet were seen partaking in local celebrations in their Montecito neighbourhood in Santa Barbara, California. The Duke of Sussex was observed, in low-key fashion, nurturing his two-year-old daughter as they relished the festivities.
According to Page Six's photographs, the Royal stood by the road, embracing his daughter as the Independence Day parade processed past them. Donned in casual attire comprising a baseball cap, sunglasses, blue jeans, and a green shirt, Harry carried his daughter, dressed adorably in a blue floral dress, white knee-length socks, and red shoes. Her auburn hair was fashioned into two pigtails. A poignant moment was captured when the young princess gazed at the passing motorcade.
The Daily Mail reported the parade's details, showcasing vehicles adorned with Independence Day-themed paraphernalia, a collection of vintage cars, emergency service vehicles, and vehicles embellished with balloons and the American flag, painted in vibrant shades of yellow and pink.
Further into the celebration, Meghan Markle and Prince Archie were seen accompanying Prince Harry and Princess Lilibet. Archie, sporting a white top and jeans, stood in front of his father alongside a few other children of his age group. Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, was observed holding their daughter, slightly kneeling on the ground. The family seemed to revel in the parade and interacted amiably with a few locals.
A similar snapshot of the family was captured last year, during the Fourth of July parade at Jackson Hole in Wyoming, eliciting enthusiastic responses from locals. Photos showcased Prince Archie with a baseball cap and the Duke and Duchess in their respective hats.
Following a recent sighting of the couple outside a Santa Barbara office, looking cheerful and sharing a laugh, their presence at the parade seemed to dismiss rumors about their marital discontent or disappointment regarding their collaboration with Spotify.
The streaming platform and the Sussexes' Archewell Audio company amicably separated in June. The couple had signed on to produce original content post their royal exit in 2020, managing to create only two productions in three years: the Duchess-hosted "Archetypes" podcast and a 2020 end-of-year holiday special. Meghan Markle's talent agency WME reports that the Duchess is exploring other platforms for her podcast, with Amazon Audible being a potential contender.
The Sussex family's Independence Day celebration comes after the revelation that they have permanently vacated their UK residence, Frogmore Cottage, at King Charles III's request in March. Without a safe haven in London, the family would resort to hotels or the residences of friends or family for their future visits. Frogmore Cottage, nestled within the Windsor Castle grounds, has been the backdrop for significant family events, including Princess Lilibet's first birthday picnic on June 4, 2022, and their stay during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations and subsequent funeral services last year.
