The News
Royal Family Sends Birthday Wishes to Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor
Members of the Royal Family extended their heartfelt birthday wishes to Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, the son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as he celebrated his second birthday on Thursday, May 6.
Despite living across the pond with his parents, little Archie holds the seventh position in the line of succession to the British throne.
The Queen, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took to Instagram to express their love for Archie through sweet tributes.
Among the well-wishers, the 72-year-old future king, Prince Charles, shared a touching photo of himself beaming proudly at his grandson, captured during Archie's Christening in July 2019.
However, some royal enthusiasts were left puzzled by the outdated stock images of Archie used in the public birthday messages by Prince William and Duchess Catherine.
Reports suggest that the British royals have had limited interactions with Archie, leading to a scarcity of recent photographs for social media posts.
Palace insiders revealed that both Prince William and Duchess Catherine have had only a handful of meetings with Archie since his birth.
Similarly, Archie's interactions with his cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, have been minimal, with speculations indicating they have met him just once.
The lack of family connections has been attributed to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's relocation to America after stepping back from their royal duties.
Sources close to the royal household disclosed that efforts are being made to nurture a relationship with Harry and Meghan despite the physical distance.
The global pandemic has further hindered in-person visits, forcing the family to resort to virtual communication.
The rift within the family, particularly between Harry, Prince William, and Prince Charles, has been widely reported, exacerbated by revelations made during Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey in March.
On Archie's birthday, Harry and Meghan shared an endearing photo of their son on their website, ArchieWell, depicting him holding balloons while standing on grass.
The couple opted for a muted image, maintaining privacy over Archie's appearance.
In lieu of public birthday wishes, Harry and Meghan encouraged fans to support Global Citizen's vaccination efforts for vulnerable families worldwide.
As Harry and Meghan navigate parenthood and distance from the royal family, their commitment to healing relationships remains evident.
Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding their decision to step back, the couple continues to prioritize their son's well-being and advocate for global causes.
Archie's second birthday serves as a reminder of the complexities and dynamics within the royal family, urging a balance between tradition and modernity in today's ever-evolving world.