Have you heard? Have you heard? Harry and Meghan are back in the UK as they begin making the royal rounds ahead of Commonwealth Day on March 9, but they're missing one notable family member while doing so: their baby, Archie!
This bit of news seems to have genuinely surprised many, who assumed the couple would take this opportunity to let Archie see his great-grandparents and the rest of the family.
The family is reportedly "very sad" that they haven't been given the chance to spend time with Archie, which is fair. It's understood that he has been living in Canada since Harry and Meghan took their six-week vacation in November and December.
In their defense, Harry and Meghan do have a full plate, and bringing Archie may have prevented logistical challenges that many of us are't privy to. Harry has already been quite busy, between speaking at the Travalyst summit and recording with Bon Jovi.
While speaking at the summit for Travalyst, Harry requested that he be called simply "Harry." The host for the event explained, "He's made it clear that we are all just to call him Harry. I was about to call him Your Royal Highness, but I’ll just introduce Harry!"
Harry also departed the summit by train and then met Jon Bon Jovi later the same day to record a song for the upcoming Invictus Games.
Harry will be joined by Meghan at the Endeavor Fund Awards on March 5. Meghan has previously joined Harry at the fund, attending in 2018 and 2019. The Endeavor Fund Awards bring light to "the significant achievement of nine members of the Armed Forces Community who were injured or fell ill in service, but have gone on to use sport and adventurous challenge as part of their recovery and rehabilitation."
The pair will also be together at the Mountbatten Music Festival on March 7. The festival supports the Royal Marines Charity and is held every year. As explained by the charity, "The Festival sees the Royal Marines showcase their incredible musicianship and pageantry and features a wide range of musical styles, including music from the big screen and superb solo items, as well as the traditional marches and overtures that have proved such a hit with audiences over the years."
And then, of course, all eyes will be on Harry and Meghan as they attend their first joint appearance with Prince William and Kate Middleton in months. All four will be at the Commonwealth Day Service on March 9. They will also join Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, and Camilla at the service.
A source recently explained to Entertainment Tonight that the brothers may be moving toward a state of peace following their reported row last year. Prince William and Prince Harry are said to be "talking more and they’re on better footing. The brothers don’t hate each other as has been reported. They do talk."
Reports are surfacing that the Queen has not seen Archie in 14 weeks, which is quite a long time in terms of a baby. Archie will celebrate his first birthday on May 6, 2020, and is 9 months old now. This timing means he was only 5 months old the last time he saw his great-grandparents and grandparents. The decision to leave Archie in Canada also means the pair will incur a nanny and security bill between $50,000 and $100,000.
There is precedent for royal children being left at home while their parents are out on official palace business, however. The Queen and Prince Philip took off on a six-month trip after her coronation, leaving a young Charles and Anne back at the palace. However, Meghan and Harry took Archie with them on their official trip to South Africa.
A royal insider recently explained, "Meghan’s London jaunt is proving a real headache. It’s an expensive time just when the costs of looking after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are under scrutiny. Next week will demonstrate the colossal challenges and sums involved when Harry and Meghan are in London needing security just as much as Archie. It’s as much as another £50,000 ($100,000) to what’s already being run up. But none of that will matter to senior royals who are despondent at not seeing the baby for so long."
Buckingham Palace has not issued an official statement and is not expected to do so, but the same source added, "She will be very sad to have barely seen Archie, and that he will miss out on growing up with his cousins and wider family."
Hopefully, Meghan and Harry will be making plans to bring Archie to see his family as they become private citizens. Plus, many of the members of the royal family could come to Canada, too.
The Queen is also reportedly vexed about the huge cost of providing security for the family after they finish this transition. The source said, "The Queen has made it clear to the couple that at some point they are going to have to take on that cost themselves. But Buckingham Palace never comments on security matters. Time will tell."
