Princess Lilibet set for first Bonfire Night in Britain

Five-year-old Princess Lilibet, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, is set for her first Bonfire Night in Britain on 5 November. The date falls a fortnight on from 20 October 2026. She is five. HELLO! Magazine

Lilibet's older brother is Prince Archie. Archie was living in the UK in 2019, in his first year of life. The family then spent six years in the United States before moving back to England.

Both children started their first year at a British school in September after the return. Archie entered Year 3, the school year in England for children aged seven to eight. Lilibet entered Year 1, the school year for children aged five to six. HELLO! Magazine

Bonfire Night is held every year on 5 November. Towns and villages across Britain mark it with bonfires and firework displays. Families gather outdoors after dark. The smell of smoke hangs in the air.

The custom looks back more than four centuries. It traces to the failure of Guy Fawkes' Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The night has long symbolised the survival of the monarchy and Parliament after that plot failed.

That history is the link between the fireworks and Westminster. Parliament still opens each new session with a ceremonial search of the cellars. On 5 November, the focus shifts to local fields and gardens.

What makes this stand out is the timing of a family autumn. A move back to England brings a new school in September. It then brings a first full run of winter traditions. Bonfire Night is one of the loudest.

Archie knew Britain as a baby in 2019. Lilibet has not yet spent a 5 November here. This year they meet it together, as a Year 3 pupil and a Year 1 pupil settling into British school life.