It was a rare sight for the Sussex family this Halloween, as Meghan Markle and Prince Harry took their two children, Archie and Lilibet, trick-or-treating through the quiet neighborhoods of Santa Barbara.
But while Meghan and the kids leaned fully into the festive spirit, Harry seemed to sit this one out — at least when it came to costumes.
A Family Outing Beyond Montecito
The couple, who usually stay close to their Montecito home — a £14 million estate with 16 bathrooms — decided to spend the evening just a short drive away.
They were spotted walking hand-in-hand with their little ones, stopping by houses decked out in pumpkins, cobwebs, and Halloween lights.
Six-year-old Archie looked thrilled, darting toward a brightly decorated doorstep in an adorable ant costume.
Meanwhile, four-year-old Lilibet, who’s said to have met her grandfather King Charles only once, was dressed as a glowing green firefly — already ahead of her brother collecting treats.
Meghan Matches the Theme, but Harry Keeps It Casual
Meghan joined in the fun, coordinating with her children’s bug-themed outfits by wearing delicate butterfly wings over a black tracksuit and sunglasses.
She held a Thermos cup while keeping a close eye on the kids as they made their candy rounds.
Harry, however, seemed to skip the fancy dress tradition altogether.
Dressed in a simple navy shirt, jeans, and a light blue baseball cap, he looked relaxed but notably un-costumed.
He carried a water bottle in one hand — and another tucked in his back pocket — as he followed his family along the quiet Santa Barbara street.
Why Halloween Holds a Special Meaning for the Couple
Halloween has always been more than just a fun night for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
In their Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, the couple revealed that it was during a Halloween night in 2016 that they discovered their relationship was about to go public.
“We thought, if it’s all going to come out tomorrow, we might as well enjoy one last night out,” Meghan recalled.
Harry added that the two attended a costume party in Canada where they could disguise themselves and enjoy a few hours of anonymity.
However, the holiday hasn’t always brought back happy memories for Harry.
In his memoir Spare, he opened up about one of his biggest regrets — wearing a Nazi costume to a party in 2005 — calling it “one of the biggest mistakes of my life.”
Keeping Their Children Away from the Spotlight
Since stepping down from royal duties in 2020, Meghan and Harry have kept their children’s lives very private.
Photos of Archie and Lilibet are rare, and Meghan’s new Instagram page, which she launched alongside her Netflix show With Love, Meghan and lifestyle brand As Ever, only offers glimpses — often showing the backs of the children’s heads or shots taken in their garden.
Fans have been quick to notice that both children seem to have inherited Harry’s signature red hair, with many commenting fondly whenever Meghan shares these subtle family moments.
First Public Glimpse in Months
This Halloween outing marks the family’s first public appearance since King Charles made the major decision to strip Prince Andrew of his “Prince” title.
The move sparked heated debate among royal watchers, with many calling for similar action to be taken against Harry and Meghan.
Several readers of the Daily Mail voiced strong opinions, arguing that the Sussexes’ titles should also be reconsidered due to what they perceive as behavior harmful to the monarchy’s image.
Public Reactions to Harry’s Missing Costume
While many enjoyed seeing the Sussex children out in costume, some couldn’t help but notice that Harry appeared to skip dressing up.
The couple’s spokesperson has yet to comment on why the Duke didn’t join the costume fun, though his relaxed demeanor suggested the focus of the evening was clearly on giving Archie and Lilibet a joyful Halloween memory.
A Night for the Kids
Despite public chatter and royal controversies, Meghan and Harry’s Halloween outing seemed to capture something simple — a young family enjoying an ordinary tradition.
For the Sussexes, who have built a quieter life in California, it was a moment of normalcy, laughter, and candy-filled excitement.