Prince Harry, Meghan name ‘dream’ son Archie
WINDSOR, United Kingdom (AFP/Reuters) – Britain's Prince Harry and wife Meghan on Wednesday announced their new "dream" son's name is Archie, hours after showing him off to the world for the first time.
"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pleased to announce they have named their first born child: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor," the couple announced on their Instagram account accompanying a picture of the parents with Queen Elizabeth, her husband Prince Philip and Meghan's mother Doria Ragland, ending months of speculation.
The informal choice defied the bookmakers' predictions and confirmed the couple's determination not to be bound by tradition.
Archie's proud parents emerged in front of the cameras inside Windsor Castle earlier Wednesday to show off their son, ahead of
introducing him to great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.
"He's just been a dream," said a smiling Meghan, 37, in her first public comments since giving birth to the sevenpound, three-ounce (3.26-kilogram) baby, who stayed firmly asleep during his public unveiling.
"He has the sweetest temperament. He's really calm," added the Duchess of Sussex, as Prince Harry cradled the newborn, wrapped in a white blanket, by her side.
Royal watchers had been desperate for a glimpse of the new baby, who is seventh in the line to the British throne, ever since the couple announced his birth to their 6.5 million followers on Instagram with the message "It's a BOY!"
"Parenting is amazing," said 34-year-old Harry, the day after brother Prince William – two years his senior and with three children of his own – had jokingly welcomed him to the "sleep deprivation society that is parenting."
"We're just so thrilled to have our own little bundle of joy."
Meghan added: "It's been a special couple of days."
Harry was more than happy to help out the media as he showed off Archie, cracking a joke as he pulled back the blanket to allow cameras to get a better look at his son.
"He's already got a little bit of facial hair as well – wonderful," joked the bearded prince.
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The couple revealed Queen Elizabeth's husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, had got a sneak preview in a chance encounter in the corridors of Windsor Castle.
"We just bumped into the Duke as we were walking by, which was so nice," said Meghan.
"It'll be a nice moment to introduce the baby to more family."
Crowds have gathering outside Windsor Castle all week to wish them well.
It was a rare piece of good news for a nation consumed by the protracted Brexit drama.
And it has given people a chance to celebrate royal traditions – this time with a young American twist.
Former US TV star Meghan has created a fresh buzz around the century-old House of Windsor.
Given their worldwide popularity, the birth of their first child has attracted particular attention, especially as Archie is first mixed race child to be born into a senior position in British royalty in recent history.
He is also entitled to hold US citizenship while also automatically being a British national.
The couple have also chosen not to use courtesy titles at present, although he could become a prince when his grandfather, the Prince of Wales, becomes king.
The inspiration behind the name is now likely to be the main source of speculation.