Since their arrival in 2019, we’ve enjoyed observing the growth of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s eldest child. While the couple tends to maintain privacy regarding their children, they have occasionally offered glimpses into the life of their red-haired son over the past five years.
Archie accompanied his parents on their final royal tour to South Africa in September 2019, at the tender age of five months, shortly before the Sussexes transitioned away from their royal roles and relocated to the United States.
At 18 months old, Harry delightedly shared endearing anecdotes about Archie and disclosed his remarkable first word during an interview with James Corden.
He told the comedian on The Late Late Show in 2021: “My son is now over a year and a half, he is hysterical, he’s got the most amazing personality, he’s already putting two, three words together, and he’s already singing songs. His first word was ‘crocodile’, three syllables,” the proud dad gushed.
It has always been clear how immense the little boy’s heart is. Meghan, in her 2022 interview with The Cut, highlighted the significance of instilling manners in Archie and shared the guiding phrase she employs at home for her son.
“We always tell him: ‘Manners make the man. Manners, manners, manners, manners, manners,'” she confessed in 2022.
The Duke and Duchess also made sure that Archie understood that there are those less fortunate than him. The Cut report explained: “They are teaching Archie that some people live in big houses, some in small, and that some are in between homes. They made kits to pass out with water and peanut-butter crackers and granola bars. ‘I ate one!’ Archie contributes.”
His kindness doesn’t stop at those less fortunate, but also his fellow preschool classmates. The interview shared: “Archie is just the cheerful kid who brings a week’s worth of freshly picked fruit for his fellow classmates and enjoys playing a ‘roaring’ game at recess.”
Starting School
One significant transition awaiting the soon-to-be five-year-old is the commencement of elementary school. Unlike the UK system, where children begin primary school in September after turning four, in the US, students typically start at the age of five or six. The specific school for the young Prince is yet to be decided, but as noted by Montecito resident Richard Mineards, Harry and Meghan’s residential area in California offers numerous excellent schooling options.
He previously explained: “We have very good schools, which are not like England public schools but they’re state schools. And we have a very good one called Cold Spring School which has got great ratings and that’s in their catchment area.”
He added: “So if Archie then follows through getting a state education, the next stop after this pre-school he goes to is going to be some sort of junior school. We have a very good junior school here called Montecito Union School which is very, very good, has a lot of Tony names attending, children of the rich and famous. Then, as I say, he could go to Cold Springs or maybe they’ll say that ‘Hey, we want to follow a private education’.”
Returning to the UK
Archie’s fifth year might entail a return to the UK for two significant reasons. Firstly, his father Harry and grandfather King Charles have grown closer since news of the King’s cancer diagnosis, prompting Harry’s emergency trip back to the UK following the announcement in February.
Another potential reason for Archie’s UK visit could be the upcoming wedding of the Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, who also happens to be Archie’s godfather. Hugh is scheduled to marry Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral on June 7, 2024.
Whether the Duke and Duchess will attend their friend’s wedding remains uncertain, as some media reports suggest they may not have received an invitation after declining the ‘save the date’ notice.
Reunion with Royal Cousins
Either of these reasons for Archie’s return to the UK could also lead to a reunion with his royal cousins.
