Harry, Meghan & Archie
Harry and Meghan enjoy the magic of becoming a family of three with their sweet little boy, Archie
Moments after introducing their 2-day-old son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world in a photo call on May 8, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex turned and walked back through the doors of St George’s Hall, creating a sweet image of a protective Prince Harry cradling their newborn as Meghan wrapped a loving arm around her husband. The photo became one of their official royal baby portraits and significantly marked the moment the doting new parents could escape the outside world for a period of precious family bonding – and for Harry, time to reflect on the one person missing from the magical event in his life: his mother Princess Diana.
In an “amazing and emotional” conversation during a whirlwind visit to the Netherlands on May 9 to fulfil
his commitment to launch the official countdown to the Invictus Games, Harry told former soldier Dennis van der Stroom that Archie’s arrival had made the prince ache for his mother. As the pair cycled around part of the Games site, they talked about mental health, having babies and losing their mothers. “I told Harry about my mother and we talked about our shared experience of missing a mum,” revealed van der Stroom, whose wife is pregnant with their first child. “Harry talked about how having a small child was his new focus and new goal.”
While Harry will continue to carry out scheduled royal duties, immersing himself in his new role remains his top priority. “[Harry] has wanted this family life for a while and he’s going to love it,” a source close to the royal family tells WHO. “He’s always enthusiastic with children and now will have his own little world that he has dreamed of for so long.”
The royal couple’s bliss was unmistakable when they fronted a small media group in the Hall where, just 12 months earlier, they had celebrated their wedding. “It’s magic, it’s pretty amazing. He’s just been the dream so it’s been a special couple of days,” said a beaming Meghan, adding that little Archie had “the sweetest temperament, he’s really calm”.
In keeping with their history of breaking away from royal traditions, it was Harry, 34, who carried baby Archie into St George’s Hall, with Meghan, 37, by his side, tenderly rubbing the newborn’s
“He’s just been the dream so it’s been a special couple of days” —Meghan
head, which was covered in a $115 cashmere knitted baby hat. “It’s pretty amazing. I have the best two guys in the world, so I’m really happy,” said the Duchess, whose irrepressible smile spoke volumes. Two days earlier on May 6, when Archie arrived weighing in at 3.26kg (7lb 3oz), Harry gushed about Meghan and Archie. “It’s been the most amazing experience I could ever possibly imagine. How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension. But we’re both absolutely thrilled and so grateful to all the love and support from everybody out there. It’s been amazing, so we just wanted to share this with everybody,” he told reporters. “I haven’t been to many births, this is definitely my first birth,” he continued. “It was amazing, absolutely incredible. As I said, I’m so incredibly proud of my wife. As every father and parent would ever say, your baby is absolutely amazing, but this little thing is absolutely to die for, so I’m just over the moon.”
In another break from tradition, the couple has decided against a title for the baby – seventh in line to the throne – who will be known simply as Master Archie.
With introductions completed – including a private meeting with the Queen and Prince Philip – what’s next for the new parents and their little boy? Having recently moved into their newly renovated home at Frogmore Cottage adjoining Windsor Castle, Harry and Meghan can settle into their babymoon, enjoying the serenity and privacy of their new home. The breathing space away from the public eye will give them time to relish those crucial moments
“This little thing is absolutely to die for … I’m just over the moon” —Prince Harry
in their young son’s early days and weeks, and bring family and close friends into their baby bubble.
After jokingly welcoming his brother into “the sleep deprivation society that is parenting”, Prince William said he was keen to meet his nephew, saying he and wife Kate would catch up in the next few days “when things have quietened down”. And in a move that scuppered rumours of a rift between the Cambridges and the Sussexes, mother-ofthree Kate reached out with genuine words of support for Meghan and Harry. “It’s really exciting for both of them,” she said. “These next few weeks, it’s always very daunting first time around so I wish them all the best.”
The first-time parents can also expect a call from grandparents Prince Charles and Camilla, who were on an official visit to Germany when Archie was born. In the meantime, Meghan is sharing her first days of motherhood not only with Harry, but also her own mother, Doria Raglan. The 62-yearold arrived in England from the US ahead of the birth – which reportedly occurred at nearby Portland Hospital rather than the home birth Meghan had hoped for – and is expected to remain to support her daughter through the early days of bringing up Archie.
For now, the couple’s focus is to soak up every moment of their new bub’s first days, with Harry sharing: “We’re just so thrilled to have our own little bundle of joy and be able to spend some precious time with him as he slowly, slowly starts to grow up.”