Prince Harry Opens Up About Giving Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet ‘Extra Tight’ Hugs on Difficult Days

Prince Harry has shared a heartfelt parenting insight, revealing that he gives his children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet extra-tight hugs on challenging days — a practice inspired by his own experiences and desire to provide comfort. The Duke of Sussex made the touching comment during a recent episode of The Joe Marler Will See You Now podcast, which was released on July 13.

While discussing coping with trauma and resilience, Harry responded to host Joe Marler — a retired England rugby union player and father of four — by highlighting the incredible strength children possess. “Yes, I think you’re absolutely right. And also, kids remind you not to take yourself too seriously as well,” the 41-year-old said. “The resilience of kids is amazing, and the way that they view life is so incredibly refreshing. If a day is hard, one thing I will do is always squeeze my kids that extra, extra tight.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex share two children: seven-year-old Prince Archie and five-year-old Princess Lilibet. Harry’s comments offer a rare, personal glimpse into his life as a father and the values he prioritises in raising his family away from the royal spotlight in California.

This parenting revelation came shortly after Harry attended Scotty’s Summer Festival at Maxstoke Castle in Warwickshire on July 11. The event was organised by Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity Harry has supported since 2017 and for which he serves as global ambassador. The organisation helps children who have lost a parent in military service.

During the festival, a nine-year-old girl named Poppy — whose father, Able Seaman Daniel Turnbull, passed away from leukaemia in 2020 — asked Harry a poignant question: “What makes you laugh when you’ve had a difficult day?”

Harry responded emotionally, placing his hand on his heart and saying, “That got me right there. You know what, sometimes it’s just a difficult day. It’s not always possible to laugh. But my dog makes me laugh, my children make me laugh. And if I need to laugh, I’ll probably put something really funny on the television.”

He continued with advice for the children at the event: “And this goes for all of you, there are some days when you’d like to laugh, but it might not always be possible to laugh. But you’ve got brothers and sisters, friends, this community…”

The podcast episode also featured Harry listing his various roles when asked about his occupation. He mentioned “Full-time dad,” “British Army veteran,” “Prince of England,” and “Duke,” before settling on “Duke” for the conversation. The light-hearted exchange highlighted Harry’s multifaceted identity and his pride in being a present father.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from their roles as senior working royals in 2020 and relocated to California. Despite this, they have retained their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, originally bestowed upon them by Queen Elizabeth II when they married in 2018.

Harry’s recent solo trip to the UK included several charitable engagements, culminating in his appearance at Scotty’s Summer Festival. The visit also included a private family reunion with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House on July 10. Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet joined Harry for the meeting, marking the children’s first time seeing their grandfather in four years. The gathering was kept private, with no photographs or further details released to the public.

The reunion was particularly meaningful following earlier uncertainty about whether Meghan and the children would travel to the UK due to ongoing security concerns. Harry ultimately proceeded with his planned charitable itinerary alone before the family was able to join for the private meeting with the King.

These family moments, combined with Harry’s open discussion about parenting on the podcast, illustrate his commitment to maintaining strong bonds with his children while honouring the memory of his mother, Princess Diana. The extra-tight hugs he gives Archie and Lilibet on difficult days reflect the comfort and love Diana provided to her own sons during challenging times.

Harry’s appearance at Scotty’s Summer Festival allowed him to connect with children who have experienced loss similar to his own. His willingness to engage openly with young attendees and share personal insights demonstrates the depth of his commitment to supporting bereaved military families.

The podcast conversation with Joe Marler offered listeners an authentic look at Harry’s approach to fatherhood, mental health, and resilience. By acknowledging that some days are simply difficult and that laughter isn’t always possible, Harry normalised the full range of human emotions while emphasising the joy children can bring.

As Harry and Meghan continue building their life in California, they remain focused on raising Archie and Lilibet with love, privacy, and a strong sense of identity. The Duke’s recent UK visit and family reunion with King Charles suggest ongoing efforts to maintain important familial connections despite geographical distance.

Harry’s openness about parenting has resonated with many listeners and readers. His comments serve as a reminder that even those in the public eye face the same everyday challenges of parenthood — finding moments of joy and comfort amid life’s difficulties.

The extra-tight hugs Harry gives his children represent more than just physical affection. They symbolise emotional support, security, and the enduring bond between parent and child — lessons clearly learned from his own mother and now being passed on to the next generation.

As Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet grow up, these small but meaningful traditions will help shape their understanding of love, resilience, and family. Harry’s willingness to share these insights offers a touching perspective on fatherhood that transcends his royal background.

The Duke’s recent activities in the UK, from charitable engagements to family reunions, demonstrate his continued connection to Britain while prioritising his role as a husband and father. His podcast appearance provided a platform to discuss these personal values openly and authentically.

For many, Harry’s words about squeezing his children extra tight on hard days serve as both inspiration and comfort — a simple yet powerful reminder of the healing nature of parental love and presence.