Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet may be growing up far away from the traditional royal spotlight, but their parents are still creating a family life filled with meaningful routines, healthy habits and a few sweet moments.

Living with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Montecito, the two children are surrounded by nature, including a home garden where the family grows fresh fruits and vegetables. During a recent appearance on MasterChef Australia, filmed in April 2026, Meghan Markle offered a rare glimpse into how she approaches food and treats with her children.

Meghan described Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, as “great eaters,” but admitted they still enjoy asking for desserts like children everywhere.

When judges Jean-Christophe Novelli, Poh Ling Yeow and Sofia Levin asked about their eating habits, Meghan shared the family’s simple dessert rule.

“If they say, ‘Mama, can I have dessert?’ We say, ‘If you can pick it, you can have it,’” she explained.

The approach reflects Meghan’s own focus on a balanced lifestyle, which includes meals with grilled protein and green smoothies. The family also grows their own fruit and vegetables at the Chateau of Riven Rock, giving Archie and Lilibet opportunities to be involved in gardening and food preparation.

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

For the Sussex children, fresh produce has become a regular part of family life. Lilibet has often been seen picking strawberries with her mother, and the children also enjoy using homegrown ingredients in their meals.

Meghan previously told People in 2025 that she makes “surprise pancakes” for Archie and Lilibet, adding colorful touches such as rainbow sprinkles, chocolate chips or blueberries arranged into smiley faces.

The children have also played a role in Meghan’s As Ever products, helping with the process behind some of the family’s homemade creations.

“Of course, they love [toast with] jam and fresh fruit preserves, because they were such a part of me making them and picking all that fruit during berry season for all of our canning,” Meghan shared.

While Archie and Lilibet’s childhood includes homegrown produce and mindful eating habits, their father Prince Harry grew up with a very different style of childhood treat.

During his years at Kensington Palace, Harry and his older brother Prince William enjoyed a beloved dessert prepared for them by royal chefs. Former royal chef Darren McGrady, who worked at Buckingham Palace for 11 years before spending four years at Kensington Palace, previously revealed one of Princess Diana’s favorite requests for her sons.

In a YouTube cooking tutorial, McGrady demonstrated how to make banana flan, which he described as “nursery food.” The dessert featured banana custard inside a pastry shell, topped with sliced bananas brushed with apricot jelly.

Recalling the excitement from the young princes, McGrady said that whenever they were home, Princess Diana would write “banana flan” in the menu book and add “H” or “W” at the top to show which son would be there.

“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!’” he recalled.

From Princess Diana’s nostalgic desserts to Meghan’s garden-to-table approach, the royal family’s food traditions continue to reveal a more personal side of life away from public appearances.

Source: Various Sources