Meghan Markle and Prince Harry took a nostalgic turn on television this week, reflecting on their happiest Disney moments while celebrating a new milestone for the iconic theme parks. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared on The Happiest Story on Earth: 70 Years of Disneyland — A Special Edition of 20/20, which aired Sunday, September 21, where they opened up about both childhood visits and the joy of now experiencing Disney magic through the eyes of their children.
Harry, 41, recalled a particularly vivid memory from 1993, when as an eight-year-old he joined Princess Diana and Prince William for a family trip to Disney World. “I went with my mom and my brother. I remember it very, very well,” he said, adding that he completely “lost it” with excitement at seeing the characters. A split-screen moment in the special even showed photos of Harry at Disney in 1993 compared with a recent 2025 family visit, offering a poignant then-and-now glimpse.
For Meghan, who grew up in southern California, Disneyland was closer to home, but no less magical. “It was still the biggest treat in the world,” she shared, recalling a standout grad night visit when the park hosted high school seniors after hours. Laughing, she admitted, “I don’t even know why they let us do that!” Harry, clearly amused, chimed in with, “That sounds like a lot of fun. Can you do that in your forties?”
This year, Meghan and Harry made sure their own children — Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet — got their Disney moments too. They marked Lili’s fourth birthday with a family trip to Disneyland, and Harry described the kids’ wide-eyed wonder before even entering the gates. “They’re like, ‘This is amazing!’ and I’m saying, ‘Guys, this isn’t even the front of it. Prepare yourself. You’re about to be blown away,’” he laughed. Watching his children “throw themselves into these experiences” was, he said, like unlocking his own childhood joy all over again.
The family of four celebrated with rides, treats, and a birthday cake topped with The Little Mermaid’s Ariel. A photo shown in the broadcast captured Meghan and Harry mid-scream on Space Mountain, a rollercoaster Harry remembered riding “10, maybe 12 times” in a row during his childhood trip.
Alongside the Sussexes, the 20/20 special featured stars like Neil Patrick Harris, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jon Favreau, and Tiffany Haddish, each sharing their own stories about Disney magic. The program was part of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebrations, which officially began on July 17 but will continue with special events through summer 2026.
For Harry and Meghan, the evening wasn’t just about nostalgia; it was about connecting their children to an enduring tradition. From Diana’s 1993 trip with her sons to Meghan’s teenage grad night, and now Archie and Lili’s wide-eyed delight, the Sussexes’ Disney memories have become a thread woven through generations — a reminder that sometimes, even for royals, the happiest moments are the simplest ones
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