From the very beginning of their relationship, there's been a lot of focus on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The couple has captivated many with their charm and commitment to helping others. They've also been the subject of a lot of salacious rumors. We've seen many sides of the Sussexes, but there's one role of theirs we haven't been privy to.
Harry and Meghan are the proud parents of 15-month-old Archie Harrison. We've gotten to see Archie officially on only a few occasions. As a result, we haven't seen a lot of Harry and Meghan in action as parents. Thankfully, sources are happy to fill in the blanks. We're occasionally treated to cute tidbits about life in the Markle-Mountbatten-Windsor household.
Naturally, the private couple is very protective of their little guy. They didn't go by royal protocol when it came to his birth. Now that they've stepped away from their roles as senior royals, we've heard more information from those closest to them. No one knows how much of Archie's upbringing we'll get to see. From what we've heard so far, it seems like they're a very sweet little family enjoying their time together.
Harry and Meghan have been parents to Archie Harrison for over a year. Although we haven't seen a whole lot of the family of three, we've learned a lot about their family dynamic through those closest to them. From the very beginning, Harry and Meghan have worked hard to preserve their privacy, but it's clear they're absolutely smitten with their little one.
Harry and Meghan were keeping secrets from the moment they found out they were expecting. While the world was in suspense wondering whether they'd have a boy or girl, the couple went against royal protocol and found out. They kept it quiet so that everyone else could enjoy the surprise.
Archie was a late baby. A friend revealed that Meghan was eight days late and joked it was "the longest eight days of her life! But her patience and calm were amazing during that time — she just said, 'The baby will come when it comes.' And that was that," according to Harper's Bazaar.
The couple chose a hospital birth early on despite the home birth rumors, although they opted against the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital.
Their lives changed when Archie arrived. While we got to see Harry's bliss when he announced Archie's arrival, we only heard of Meghan's joy later on. A friend told royal reporters Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, "Archie was alert as soon as he arrived — eyes wide open. Meghan described the moment she first held Archie as 'ecstasy … total bliss and contentment.'"
Meghan was happy to share that joy with her closest friends. She described her first day with the baby as "a 'pinch me' moment."
"He's barely cried. He's an angel," she said.
Meghan enjoyed the privacy between the three of them, so much so that she was reluctant to introduce Archie to the world. "The same people who have been abusing me want me to serve my child on a silver platter," she reportedly said of the press.
"A child who is not going to be protected and doesn't have a title. How does that make sense? Tell that to any mother in the world."
Meghan and Harry are both very hands-on parents. The family loves to read together. Some of Archie's favorites include Is Your Mama a Llama? and Duck! Rabbit!
Meghan also took Archie to classes when they were still based in the UK. They'd depart Frogmore Cottage for mommy and me classes like Happy Clappy music class in Windsor.
"All the moms, and two dads, in the room were wide-eyed as the Duchess of Sussex joined their circle with Archie, who went straight for a tambourine and, according to his mom, 'loved it,'" according to Omid and Carolyn.
Many people think that Archie is growing up so far from the royal family, but they're more tuned into Archie's life than you think. Even while the Sussexes were negotiating their departure from the royal family, they kept the family in the loop on Archie's big milestones. Harry sent photos and even a video of Archie seeing snow for the first time.
Despite what so many people believe, Meghan and Harry are grateful for the relationship the royal family has with Archie. Meghan was particularly thrilled when the Queen shared a photo of herself with Archie on social media.
"All five adults around Archie, the first biracial grandchild of the Queen. The picture, taken by the couple's personal photographer Chris Allerton, was a hugely significant moment for the royal family," the writers noted.
"There, for the first time, was much-needed visibility around race and inclusion at the heart of the monarchy."
As Archie grows up, it will be beautiful to see how Meghan and Harry nurture his relationship with different members of the family. They've clearly taken to parenthood and know how important his extended family will be to Archie. It will also be fascinating to see what glimpses of the little guy's life they choose to share now that they aren't bound by the restrictions of the royal family.
