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Prince Harry recently brought a treasured memory from his youth to life by sharing it with his own children, Archie and Lilibet, in a heartfelt nod to a joyful day spent with his late mother, Princess Diana.
The Duke of Sussex took his family to Disneyland in Anaheim, California, celebrating Lilibet's fourth birthday with a visit reminiscent of his 1993 trip to Walt Disney World, an eight-year-old Prince Harry, alongside Prince William, then 11, accompanied their mother to the Florida site.
This trip came at a delicate time, just months after Diana had separated from Prince Charles and showed a message of a mother devoted to her children despite her split from the British Royal Family.
During this private visit, the trio was given exclusive access to the Splash Mountain attraction, which was closed to other guests as they traveled through Disney's secret underground tunnels reserved for VIPs, flanked by close friends and security personnel.
"They were all very nice," a source told PEOPLE of Princess Diana and her sons. "Very well behaved.
"She was a sweetheart."
This snapshot of family joy remains etched in the memories of those present and in Harry's own heart, possibly why he embarked on his own trip to Disneyland as a parent of two himself, along with Meghan Markle.
On June 6, 2025 the 43-year-old former actress posted a video montage on Instagram showcasing the Sussex family's Disneyland trip for their daughter's fourth birthday as the Princess rocked Mickey Mouse ears and enjoying a variety of attractions.
The highlight was the newly updated Splash Mountain, now reimagined as Tiana's Bayou Adventure, which Harry rode with his children, echoing the experience he had three decades prior with Diana.
For the Prince, it offered a bonding moment with his two beloved kids whilst also serving as a chance to mourn his mother with a nostalgic memory as he revisited his own past and childhood.
"Thank you @disneyland for giving our family two days of pure joy!" Meghan wrote, with Peggy Lee's "It's a Good Day" playing in the background of the post.
Prince Harry considered ditching Mountbatten-Windsor name
Beyond this joyful family outing, Harry and Meghan have faced challenges regarding their children's official recognition within the royal framework. Reports revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex considered changing their children's surname to Spencer, Diana's maiden name.
It came following months-long delays in the issuance of British ports for Archie and Lilibet, as sources told The Guardian that this consideration arose out of frustration during a private meeting between Harry and his uncle, Earl.
The change would have marked a symbolic shift whilst also snubbing King Charles III's heritage by aligning the children with their maternal lineage, amid the ongoing tensions with Britain's Royal Family.
The delays in port processing, which stretched nearly six months-far beyond the typical three-week timeframe, were allegedly due to resistance over the use of the HRH [His/Her Royal Highness] titles and the Sussex surname.
After multiple attempts, including reapplying with expedited service and legal pressure through a data access request, the ports were finally issued.