Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are looking back at their childhood memories of Disneyland — and what it was like to take their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, earlier this year.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex took part in ABC’s The Happiest Story on Earth: 70 Years of Disneyland – Special Edition of 20/20, which aired on Sunday, September 21, detailing their June trip to Disneyland for Lili’s 4th birthday.
Meghan, 44, said, it was “amazing” to see the Disney theme park “through your children’s eyes,” recalling some of her early memories of the popular Anaheim, California, destination.
“It’s just so magical. I’m a Southern California girl, so being able to go to Disneyland is a lot more accessible than it is for most people, but it’s still the biggest treat in the world,” Meghan said.
Meghan, who grew up in Los Angeles, added, “One of my biggest experiences of Disneyland was going for grad night. Grad night’s all high school seniors, you go after hours, it’s dark … I don’t know why they let us do that! It’s so much fun!”
“That’s something I should probably do,” Harry, 41, said. “Can you do that in your 40s?” he went on to quip.
Harry also shared his own memories of visiting Disney World in Orlando, Florida, in 1993 with his late mom, Princess Diana, and brother Prince William.
“I remember losing it as a kid with all the characters. Like, losing it! ‘This is amazing,’” Harry remembered. “Space Mountain was one of my favorite things.”
“Still one of your favorite rides, by the way,” Meghan sweetly reminded Harry, who noted that he went on the ride “probably 10, 12 times.”
The proud parents got to recreate one of Harry’s memories from his childhood during their trip with Archie, 6, and Lili, as pictures and videos shared by Meghan in June show that the family enjoyed a ride on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Harry rode an earlier version of the ride — then known as Splash Mountain — with his mom and brother in 1993.
“For us to be able to have our own childhood memories and then watch that play out through our daughter’s birthday … Archie said, ‘When’s my birthday?’” Meghan shared of their recent trip.
Harry added, “To see the kids throw themselves into these experiences when they had no idea what they were walking into, it was amazing. It brings out the kid in you again.”
Meghan documented Lili’s Disneyland birthday adventure on Instagram in June. In a compilation video set to the tune of Peggy Lee’s “It’s a Good Day,” she shared pictures of the family walking around the park in Mickey Mouse hats, Lili meeting Frozen’s Elsa and the little one’s Little Mermaid-themed birthday cake.
“Thank you @disneyland for giving our family two days of pure joy!” she captioned the post.
