Archie's England World Cup shirt signals Harry still backs Three Lions from California

A Father’s Day post shared by Meghan Markle has offered a small but telling sign that Prince Harry retains a strong connection to England’s World Cup campaign, with son Archie pictured wearing a red-and-white shirt emblazoned with ‘England World Cup’ on the back.

Harry, who relocated his family from the UK to southern California in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties, is well-placed to follow the tournament as the United States co-hosts the 2026 World Cup. England are currently in the quarter-finals, where they face Norway in Miami.

Meghan’s caption on the Father’s Day image read: “They’re so lucky to have you. We all are. Happy Father’s Day to our one and only.” The photo, featuring both Archie and daughter Lilibet, was widely noted for Archie’s England shirt, which observers have taken as a sign that Harry’s national identity remains a presence in the family home.

Yet Harry has historically been cautious about publicly backing England too loudly. Former Ireland rugby international Brian O’Driscoll recalled a 2018 garden reception at which he asked the Duke whether football was “coming home” — the rallying cry that has accompanied England’s major tournament runs for decades.

“He refused to say it,” O’Driscoll said. “I think he just said he isn’t as confident as everyone else about England winning tomorrow. He said he won’t say it because he doesn’t want to jinx it.” The following day, England lost their World Cup semi-final to Croatia 2-1 after extra time.

Harry has this week returned to England to mark one year until the Invictus Games 2027. It had been anticipated that Meghan and their two children would join him, though it remains unclear whether the family travelled together. Harry’s spokesperson had not issued a full statement at the time of publication.

The Duke officially updated his primary place of residence to the United States in 2024, following the family’s departure from Frogmore Cottage, their former UK home.