Prince Archie Shreds the Slopes on Family Ski Trip

Young royal's newfound skiing skills foster independence and responsibility

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:41pm

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Prince Archie, the 6-year-old son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has taken to skiing with impressive skill during a recent family vacation. A video shared by Meghan shows Archie expertly snowplowing down the mountain, keeping pace with his father Harry, an experienced skier since childhood. Experts say that learning to ski at a young age can benefit children by building self-confidence, independence, responsibility, and appreciation for nature.

Why it matters

The Sussexes' decision to teach Archie to ski aligns with their focus on providing their children with a grounded, nature-connected upbringing, in contrast to the more formal trappings of royal life. Archie's newfound skiing skills represent an important milestone in his development, fostering valuable life skills that will serve him well as he grows more independent from his high-profile parents.

The details

Prince Harry first tried skiing at age 6 with his late mother, Princess Diana, in 1991. Now, he has passed on his love of the sport to his own son, Archie. In a video shared by Meghan, 6-year-old Archie is shown confidently navigating the slopes, snowplowing and keeping up with his father. Experts say that learning to ski at a young age can build self-confidence, independence, responsibility, and appreciation for nature - all valuable skills for a child's development.

  • Prince Harry first tried skiing in Austria with Princess Diana in 1991.
  • Prince Archie is currently 6 years old.

The players

Prince Archie

The 6-year-old son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle who has recently taken up skiing.

Prince Harry

Archie's father, who has been skiing since the age of 6 and is passing on his love of the sport to his son.

Meghan Markle

Archie's mother, who shared a video of her son's impressive skiing skills on social media.

Ecole de Ski Francais (ESI)

The experts who provided insight into how learning to ski can benefit child development.

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What they’re saying

“Learning to ski also means learning to overcome fears and face challenges head-on. The confidence gained on the slopes often translates into better self-esteem in other areas of life.”

— Ecole de Ski Francais (ESI), Experts

“Needing to make quick decisions and following safety rules at a young age makes children more independent in all areas of life.”

— Ecole de Ski Francais (ESI), Experts

What’s next

The Sussexes are expected to continue encouraging Archie's outdoor pursuits and connection to nature as he grows older, building on the independence and responsibility he is developing through activities like skiing.

The takeaway

Prince Archie's newfound skiing skills represent an important milestone in his development, fostering valuable life skills that will serve him well as he grows more independent from his high-profile parents. The Sussexes' focus on providing their children with a grounded, nature-connected upbringing aligns with their values and stands in contrast to the more formal trappings of royal life.