Meghan Markle’s Shocking Archie Comment Resurfaces As Prince Turns Seven
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently celebrated Prince Archie’s seventh birthday with a touching unseen father and son photograph, but the milestone has also brought renewed attention to one of Meghan’s most surprising past statements about her eldest child.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex marked Archie’s birthday on May 6 by sharing a heartfelt glimpse into their family life in California. The image highlighted the close bond between Prince Harry and his son while also reminding royal fans how dramatically Archie’s life has changed since birth.
Prince Archie of Sussex was born in London in May 2019 while his parents were still senior working royals. However, from the very beginning, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made clear they wanted a different future for their son.
Unlike previous royal births, Archie was born at the private Portland Hospital rather than the famous Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital traditionally used by senior royals. The Sussexes also chose a far more private introduction to parenthood.
Soon after Archie’s arrival, Meghan Markle reportedly stunned royal observers by insisting her son would be raised as a “private citizen” rather than being heavily tied to royal traditions and public expectations.
The couple reportedly wanted Archie to grow up with as normal a childhood as possible and initially preferred him to be known simply as “Mister Archie” instead of using royal titles connected to the monarchy.
At the time, Archie did not automatically receive a prince title because he was not yet the grandchild of the reigning monarch. That changed in 2022 when King Charles III became King following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Under royal rules, Archie and his younger sister Princess Lilibet of Sussex then gained the right to use prince and princess titles as grandchildren of the monarch.
Despite this, reports suggest Prince Harry and Meghan Markle still want their children to eventually decide for themselves whether they wish to keep using royal titles later in life.
Royal biographer Omid Scobie previously claimed the Sussexes’ approach was always part of a wider effort to protect Archie’s privacy and provide a more ordinary upbringing away from palace pressures.
According to reports, Archie also played a major emotional role in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to leave royal duties in 2020. The couple reportedly wanted more control over their family life and future.
Today, Archie and Princess Lilibet are being raised largely away from the British royal spotlight in Montecito, California. Meghan and Harry continue carefully controlling the public exposure of their children while sharing only limited family moments online.
Meanwhile, reports claim King Charles deeply misses his California based grandchildren despite ongoing tensions with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Royal commentators suggest the monarch regrets not spending more time with Archie and Lilibet.
As Prince Archie celebrates another birthday far from royal life in Britain, Meghan Markle’s original comments about wanting her son to live as a private citizen continue sparking debate about the Sussexes’ complicated relationship with royal identity and tradition.
