This past weekend, King Charles’ coronation was the center of attention in London.
A different royal celebration, however, took place in California on the opposite side of the Atlantic as Prince Archie celebrated his fourth birthday.
During the celebrations, a moving picture of Prince Archie reaching out to a portrait of Princess Diana surfaced.
However, the heartfelt post, which was shared by a close friend of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, sparked conflicting responses.
Over the weekend, there was a festive feeling all across London. King Charles III’s accession to the throne on May 6 drew all manner of royalty and foreign leaders to the British capital, ushering in a new era.
May 6 had more meaning for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle than King Charles’ coronation. It was the fourth birthday of their cherished son Archie, a happy occasion that deserved to be celebrated on its own. According to reports, the pair made it clear that if they attended the coronation, it would be required to recognize Archie’s birthday.
Author Christopher Andersen said on Fox News that Harry would find attending the coronation “uncomfortable” due to revelations in his biography, which made Meghan’s decision to remain in the US with their children comprehensible since it allowed them to avoid close observation.
Omid Scobie, a royal specialist, stressed the significance of Archie’s birthday in Meghan’s decision to stay in the US further.
“I believe that the couple’s choice was influenced by Archie’s fourth birthday, also on May 6.” According to Scobie’s tweet, Prince Harry will only be in the country for a brief visit because he needs to attend the coronation at Westminster Abbey.
The concern persisted as the weekend continued: How would Archie’s birthday be celebrated? It would appear that the King remembered his grandchild on this important day. According to news accounts, Charles reportedly made a heartfelt toast to Archie when he turned four.
The dramatic coronation of King Charles at Westminster Abbey and the family’s appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London were followed by a private family luncheon on Saturday.
The Daily Mail said King Charles gave a toast to “those who weren’t present” and wished Prince Archie a happy birthday. It was a heartfelt ode to a grandson with whom he hasn’t had much contact.
According to the insider, it was a “very sweet moment.”
Unfortunately, Harry wasn’t around to see the touching toast. He was allowed to attend the private family celebration, but he declined and flew back to California immediately to honor Archie’s important day. After his father’s coronation, according to rumors, Harry wasted no time and hurriedly boarded a jet for the United States.
Harry seems to have prioritized spending time with his son on this significant occasion, highlighting the close relationship that a parent and child share even during crucial royal activities. The Duke of Sussex is thought to have boarded an aircraft around 3:45 PM, landing in Los Angeles at roughly 6:55 PM local time.
Normally, it takes about 90 minutes to drive from the airport to Harry and Meghan’s enormous house in Montecito, California. A source said that Harry was adamant about getting back in time to personally cuddle Archie into bed.
Archie’s birthday party was allegedly a “low-key” affair. A fresh lemon cake that Meghan herself cooked using fruits from their own garden was offered, according to family-friendly sources. Although the precise guest list is unknown, it is assumed to have included the nearest family members, making the event an intimate one.
Instead, attention was drawn to another occurrence on Archie’s birthday. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s close friend and photographer Misan Harriman seized the chance to highlight a particularly heartfelt moment.
Harriman shared an image of a young Archie holding a portrait of his grandma, Princess Diana, and wished him a happy birthday.
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, most 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.”
Happy birthday, Archie! May your future be filled with joy and countless milestones that inspire us all!