Prince Harry and Meghan Markle welcomed their first child, Archie, to the world back in 2019.
From the child’s early years to the loving relationship he shares with his younger sister, here’s everything you need to know about Prince Archie of Sussex.
Harry and Meghan Have Their First Child
Shortly after Prince Harry and Megan Markle tied the knot back in 2018, much to the excitement of the world, the royal couple announced they would be having their first child.
Almost exactly one year after the beautiful wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel, Markle gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Archie.
Sixth in Line to the Throne
Born on May 6, 2019, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor is sixth in line to the British throne, positioned behind his uncle, Prince William, and his cousins.
He has several godparents, including a “mentor and close friend” of Harry and William, Mark Dyer, who formerly served as a Welsh Guard. Harry’s former Nanny, Tiggy Pettifer, and business owner, Charlie van Straubenzee, are the other two godparents.
William and Kate Delighted with the Birth of Harry and Meghan’s Child
Once the word had gotten out that Markle had delivered their child, messages began pouring in from all directions, congratulating the couple. Prince William and Princess Catherine took to Instagram to share their delight.
“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted with the news of the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son today and look forward to meeting the latest addition to the family,” they wrote.
Young Prince Introduced to Queen Elizabeth
Two days after Archie was born, he was introduced to his great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, at Windsor Castle.
Following royal tradition, an easel announcing Archie’s birth was placed in Buckingham Palace’s forecourt.
Archie’s Upbringing Differs from Harry’s
While Archie will grow up in a royal fashion similar to his father, their upbringings couldn’t be more different.
Less than a year after the prince was born, Harry and Meghan announced they would be stepping back from their royal roles and planned to move back to Megan’s home state of California.
The Young Prince Loves Zoom Calls
From the get-go, Archie has had a little personality that’s won over the hearts of people around the world. According to his parents, he even loved to take part in their business Zoom calls from as young as 2 years old
“Archie spends more time interrupting our Zoom calls than anybody else,” Harry told Today. “But he often gets us off them, as well, so that’s also a nice thing.”
Archie Adores His Sister
Harry and Meghan didn’t waste any time in the childhood department, and just two years later, they welcomed their second child, Lilibet Diana, into the world.
According to a source from US Weekly, “Archie absolutely adores his little sister and gives her lots of kisses.”
Meghan Debates the Name Harrison
We all know the little royal as Archie. However, according to his parents, they were close to giving him an alternative moniker, which later became his middle name.
After appearing at an event in 2022, Markle spoke with a mother whose child was named Harrison. Not long after, Harry and Meghan admit they were torn between referring to their son as Archie or Harrison, according to People.
Prince Archie of Sussex
With the succession of his grandfather, King Charles, to the throne, Archie was officially given a royal title.
Rules set into place by King George over a century ago permit grandchildren of the sitting monarch to receive royal titles. Thus, Archie and Lilibet were given the title of prince and princess.
Archie Refers to His Grandmother Diana During Netflix Show
During the Harry and Meghan Netflix docuseries, one scene shows a small photo of Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, hanging on the wall. When Archie was asked, “Who’s that?” the young prince replied, “Hi, Grandma. That’s Grandma Diana” (via People).
Speaking of Grandma Diana in a separate series, Harry said, “It’s the sweetest thing, but at the same time, it makes me really sad because she should be here.”
What Archie Wants to Be When He Grows Up
The young prince will turn 5 in May 2024, and Archie already has aspirations of what he would like to become when he grows older. According to Harry, he said, “Some days it’s an astronaut, other days it’s a pilot — a helicopter pilot obviously — or Kwazii from ‘Octonauts’” (via People).
“But what I remind him is that no matter what you want to be when you grow up, it’s your character that matters most, and nothing would make his mum and me prouder than to see him have the character of what we see before us today,” he continued.
