Meghan Markle was unable to partake in Mother’s Day celebrations with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Prince Harry and Meghan concluded their three-day visit to Nigeria on Sunday, May 12, coinciding with the annual holiday in the US this year.
The couple’s trip to the West African country was at the invitation of the chief of defense staff, with their public engagements including a visit to a school and participation in a training session for Nigeria: Unconquered.
Archie, who recently turned five, and Lilibet, who will mark her third birthday on June 4, remained at the family’s residence in Montecito, California, during their parents’ overseas excursion. Nonetheless, Meghan made it clear at the Lightway Academy on Friday that she keeps her children close to her thoughts, mentioning Lilibet’s love for singing and dancing and Archie’s fondness for construction.
Traditionally, the Duchess observes Mother’s Day privately with her children, occasionally lending her support to charitable initiatives. Her first Mother’s Day in 2019 came just six days after she and Harry welcomed baby Archie. On their now-dormant Instagram account, Sussex Royal, the couple shared an endearing snapshot featuring Archie’s tiny toes amid forget-me-nots in the garden at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.
The caption poignantly referred to Harry’s late Diana, Princess of Wales, whose favourite flowers were forget-me-nots: “Paying tribute to all mothers today – past, present, mothers-to-be, and those lost but forever remembered. We honour and celebrate each and every one of you.”
In 2021, shortly before Meghan was due to welcome her daughter Lilibet, it was announced that the Sussexes’ Archewell Foundation had partnered with the local organization, Harvest Home L.A, to provide essential items for pregnant women and their children.
The Duchess also penned a personal letter, writing: “As a mom, and an expectant mom, I deeply appreciate the significance of community support, safe and accessible pregnancy resources, and trusted guidance in a nurturing setting.
“These ingredients are essential to not just our physical health, but our mental well-being, and I commend you for leading a compassionate community that lives these values.”
And the previous year, Meghan backed a campaign by the Alliance of Moms, focusing on raising awareness about “expectant and parenting foster youth” in Los Angeles. The organization, co-founded by one of Meghan’s intimate friends, Kelly McKee Zajfen, praised the Duchess for her “incredibly nurturing” demeanor in an Instagram post.
Kelly wrote: “As Mother’s Day approaches, I can’t help but think of my own #commUNITY of Motherhood. I instantly think of you Meg. How incredibly nurturing and warm and open you are. What an incredible friend and mother. I’m truly in awe of you and I am so grateful you are part of my #CommUNITYofmotherhood.”
She added: “You are always the first to say yes and support those you love. You are a fierce advocate for those who are in need. Thank you for joining this year’s campaign to support LA’s expectant and parenting foster youth, which helps provide critical services, education, resources and advocacy so they can build a better future for themselves and their families.”
