The Royal Baby has Arrived!

Makenzy Portney, Staff Writer

Over 350,000 babies are born each day, but on May 6, 2019, a particularly royal one arrived. Son of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Master Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born at 7 pounds 3 ounces early that day, “a bit overdue.” He is the first biracial, half American-half British baby in the monarchy’s history, and even has dual citizenship in each of his parents’ respective birthplaces.  

Prince Harry and Meghan (the Duke and Duchess) are no strangers to being unconventional and proved that with the announcement of little Archie’s birth. Instead of the royal tradition of displaying the newborn on the hospital steps hours after birth, the couple took a modern approach and shared the news with the public via social media. When Archie grows up, he will be entitled to inherit the dukedom, although that will be his choice. He is also seventh in line to the throne. This being said, his parents have chosen not to use a “courtesy title” for him for the time being. Archie itself is even a unique name for the royal family, as they are accustomed to more traditional names like Arthur and Philip–both names that many people had bet on. Archie is a shortened version of Archibald (although the new baby’s name is simply Archie), which means genuine or bold and brave, and his middle name, Harrison, means “son of Harry”.

The new parents are also straying from the norm when it comes to raising their baby. Harry’s brother and sister-in-law, Prince William and Kate Middleton, chose to share much of their children’s growing up with the public, including various magazine features and posing for the paparazzi. Harry and Meghan, however, are more weary of the public and distrustful of the paparazzi since the tragic death of Princess Diana. They plan to raise Archie as a ‘private citizen’, and the planting of trees around their property is already underway in order to ensure their privacy. Despite their different values, Prince William is ecstatic to be an uncle and said “I am very pleased to welcome my brother to the sleep deprivation society that is parenting!”

Although Archie will be raised away from the spotlight, the Duke and Duchess will take him on his first foreign tour in Africa this coming October.

The Duke and Duchess are thrilled by Archie’s birthdate, as exactly two years prior, the couple made their first public appearance together. May 6th has quickly become a sentimental date for the family in multiple ways.

While Mother’s Day in the U.K. was in March, Meghan Markle still celebrated American Mother’s Day on May 12. A small affair took place with the baby’s maternal grandmother and father in their cottage home. She also documented the holiday on Instagram with an endearing photo of baby Archie’s little feet.

Harry and Meghan are thoroughly enjoying parenthood, as Meghan noted that “He’s been a dream. It’s been a special couple of days” although there of course is a long road of ups and downs ahead for the three. Harry also said “It’s great. Parenting is amazing. It’s only been two and a half days, but we’re just so thrilled to have our own little bundle of joy” and “It’s been the most amazing experience I could ever imagine.”

Even members of the community right here at Pennridge are excited about this new addition to the royal family. Mrs. Godshall, a self-proclaimed “royal fan”, was very glad to hear about little Archie’s arrival. Already knowledgeable about the Duke and Duchess, she was “not at all surprised they didn’t choose a “royal” name–they both like to go against expectations–but Archie was a little out of left field, particularly for an American audience (it’s a very popular baby name in England).” On the other hand, student Lauren Harries was not a fan of this unconventional name because “it isn’t regal”. While the baby’s name has mixed reviews, if one thing is for certain, he will be well-loved by his family and throughout the whole world.