All eyes were on London this weekend for King Charles’s Coronation.
However, across the Atlantic in California, another royal celebration unfolded as Prince Archie marked his fourth birthday.
But the touching post, shared by a close friend of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, evoked mixed reactions…
London found itself enveloped in an atmosphere of celebration over the weekend. All manner of royalty and world leaders gathered in the British capital as King Charles III ascended the throne on May 6, marking the beginning of a new era.
For Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, May 6 held a further significance than simply being King Charles’ coronation. It marked their beloved son Archie’s fourth birthday, a joyous occasion that deserved recognition in its own right. Reports suggest that the couple made it clear that if they were to attend the coronation, Archie’s birthday would have to be acknowledged.
Author Christopher Andersen told Fox News that Harry would find attending the coronation “uncomfortable” due to revelations in his memoir, making Meghan’s decision to stay in the US with their children understandable, as it allowed them to avoid intense scrutiny
Royal expert Omid Scobie further emphasized the significance of Archie’s birthday in Meghan’s choice to remain in the US.
“I understand that Archie’s fourth birthday (also on May 6) played a factor in the couple’s decision. Expect it to be a fairly quick trip to the UK for Prince Harry, who will only be attending the coronation at Westminster Abbey,” Scobie wrote on Twitter.
As the weekend unfolded, the question lingered: How would Archie’s birthday be acknowledged? Well, it seems that the King did not forget his grandchild on this special day. News reports suggest that Charles raised a glass in a heartfelt toast to celebrate Archie turning four.
It all happened during a private family gathering for lunch on Saturday, which followed the momentous coronation of King Charles at Westminster Abbey and the family’s appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony in London.
According to the Daily Mail, King Charles raised a toast to “those who weren’t present” and extended warm birthday wishes to Prince Archie. It was a poignant tribute to a grandson he has barely seen.
It was apparently a very sweet moment,” a source told the tabloid.
Sadly, Harry wasn’t there to witness the emotional toast. While he received an invitation to the private family gathering, he chose to decline and instead returned immediately to California to celebrate Archie’s significant day. As per reports, Harry wasted no time, swiftly boarding a plane bound for the United States mere hours after his father’s coronation.
It appears that Harry prioritized being with his son on this important occasion, emphasizing the strong bond between father and child, even in the midst of grand royal events. It is believed that the Duke of Sussex caught a 3:45 PM flight, arriving in Los Angeles at approximately 6:55 PM local time.
The journey from the airport to Harry and Meghan’s gigantic home in Montecito, California, typically takes around 90 minutes by car. According to a source, Harry was very determined to return in time to tuck Archie into bed personally.
The birthday celebration for Archie was reportedly a ”low-key” event. Sources close to the family revealed that a homemade lemon cake, baked by Meghan herself with fruits from their own garden, was served. The exact guest list remains unclear, but it is believed to have consisted of the closest members of the family, creating an intimate gathering for the occasion.
Instead, another event during Archie’s birthday drew attention. Photographer Misan Harriman, a close friend of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, took the opportunity to shed light on an especially touching moment.
”Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, Archie,” Harriman said, sharing a picture of baby Archie touching a photograph of his grandmother, Princess Diana.
The picture was a screenshot from the Netflix series The Sussexes. While the image and message were not particularly controversial, some individuals on social media sought to interpret it as photographer Misan Harriman subtly criticizing or overshadowing King Charles’ coronation. However, the majority of reactions were positive, with many commenting that it was a sweet picture.
”Happy Birthday, Archie,” another person wrote.
”We love you and your family. We hope to see pictures soon. Blessings. We celebrate you. Today is great because of you.”