Five years ago today, Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor made his grand entrance into the world at an exclusive London hospital, arriving a week overdue. Described by his proud father as “absolutely to die for,” little Archie weighed 7lb 3oz and entered the world at 5.26 am. His arrival was celebrated in a room adorned with electric candles and a picture of Princess Diana.
Just two days later, initial pictures captured the touching moment when Archie met his great-grandparents, the late Queen and Prince Philip, along with his grandmother, Doria Ragland.
On the day his son was born, Prince Harry joyfully expressed from Windsor that Archie’s arrival was “the most extraordinary experience I could have ever imagined.”
In 2021, Prince Archie, celebrating his fifth birthday today, was spotted alongside his parents, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as well as his younger sister, Lilibet.
In a photograph unveiled in Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary, Archie is depicted perched atop his father’s shoulders.
However, due to the royal discord that prompted Harry and Meghan’s relocation to California, Archie spent only his initial five months in the UK. Consequently, as the duke mentioned earlier, the United States now resonates as “home” for him.
Insights into Archie’s privileged lifestyle alongside his younger sister Lilibet, aged two, were disclosed in Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary series last year. The documentary showcased him chasing seagulls at the beach, aiding his parents in gathering oranges from the garden, and enjoying playful moments with the family’s cherished pets – Labrador Pula and Beagle Guy.
Archie was previously reported to be attending pre-school and is anticipated to commence full-time education upon turning six. With his fifth birthday here, he could potentially enroll in kindergarten this autumn.
While Meghan was in labor at the private Portland Hospital, Harry disclosed that he utilized the laughing gas, originally intended for his wife, to ease his own nerves. Additionally, he mentioned that the couple’s bodyguards arranged for a Nando’s takeaway to be delivered to them.
During the delivery process, they listened to songs by German artist Deva Premal, known for transforming Sanskrit mantras into music.
As Meghan’s contractions intensified, she opted to deliver the baby in a bathtub and received an epidural to alleviate the labor pains.
Harry recounted holding Meghan’s hand throughout the delivery, revealing that it was a complex birth, describing Archie’s arrival as ‘tangled’.
Archie strolls on the beach accompanied by his mother and their pet beagle, Guy.
In a picture unveiled in Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary, Archie is captured playing with a toy grand piano.
On his first birthday in 2020, Archie celebrated with his mother Meghan. Today, he turns five.
Archie accompanied his mother during her royal tour of South Africa alongside her husband, Prince Harry.
Upon Archie’s birth, both of his parents were overcome with tears of joy. Their first residence was Frogmore Cottage, situated near Windsor Castle.
In a clip from the Netflix series, Archie was depicted gazing up at his father from a baby rocker, while a photograph captured him looking up at his nanny, Lorren Khumalo, who had swathed him in a traditional Zimbabwean yellow and brown cloth.
Another touching moment showed Archie reaching out to touch a photo of his late grandmother, Princess Diana, adorning the nursery wall at Frogmore Cottage. Meghan affectionately asked, “Who’s that? Hey grandma.”
In October 2019, Prince Harry and Meghan announced their intention to take six weeks off from royal duties for some “family time” with their newborn. They ventured to Canada, residing on Vancouver Island for a period.
However, by January of the following year, the couple declared their decision to “step back as senior members of the Royal Family,” planning to split their time between the UK and North America.
By March 2020, just before the pandemic prompted lockdowns in many parts of the world, the couple and their young son had relocated to Los Angeles.
In July of that same year, they settled into their Santa Barbara home in Montecito, reportedly purchasing it for $14 million. Their new residence is conveniently situated near their celebrity acquaintances, including Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Katy Perry, and Orlando Bloom.
Meghan and Harry radiate joy as they introduce their newborn son to the world in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle.
Harry and Meghan proudly present baby Archie to his great-grandparents, the late Queen and Prince Philip, as well as his maternal grandmother, Doria Ragland.
On the day of his christening in July 2019, Archie posed with his parents alongside Queen Camilla, King Charles, Doria Ragland, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Prince William, and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Harry and Meghan’s expansive 11-bedroom mansion sprawls across 20 acres of land, nestled between the Santa Ynez mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
On June 4, 2021, the family welcomed Archie’s younger sister Lilibet, who will soon turn three.
In an interview with The Cut magazine, Meghan shared that Archie enjoys playing doctor with a toy stethoscope and revealed that one of his favorite foods is quesadillas.
Additional footage from the Netflix series showcases the young royal displaying his musical talent by playing a miniature piano. He is also captured admiring a beautiful sunset and observing a hummingbird with his father.
“We won’t have the opportunity to be this close to hummingbirds again,” Prince Harry remarked to his son.
Despite Harry’s attempts to encourage his toddler to quietly observe the wildlife, Archie exclaimed, “I’ve got a dirty foot, mama, because I was with you!”
When his great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II passed away in September 2022, Archie and Lilibet remained in California under the care of their maternal grandmother, Doria Ragland, and their nannies.
Baby Archie is depicted in the embrace of his grandmother, Doria Ragland, seated alongside Meghan and Harry at Frogmore Cottage.
Prince Archie hasn’t celebrated any birthdays with his British family.
Before Archie’s birth, Meghan had an extravagant baby shower in New York hosted by Serena Williams at The Mark, an upscale uptown hotel. Guests, including Amal Clooney and Gayle King, indulged in a flower-arranging class.
The lavish five-day celebration, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, drew criticism when it was revealed that Meghan had traveled to New York on a private jet.
