On this day, 6 May in 2019, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. Archie was born at 05.26 BST at the Portland Hospital in London.
The birth was announced on the Duke and Duchess’s official Instagram account.
The palace also issued a statement on behalf of the Sussexes:
“The Duchess and baby are both healthy and well, and the couple thank members of the public for their shared excitement and support during this very special time in their lives.
“Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, is with her daughter at the couple’s home at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, England. She is ‘overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild’.'”
Embed from Getty ImagesAs with tradition, the announcement of the birth was put out on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace for approximately 24 hours. The announcement was then sent to the Privy Council Office for details to be recorded.
A more personal affair
Contrary to his brother, the Duke of Cambridge and his wife, the Sussexes chose a more private birth for their child. Prior to the birth, it was not announced where the child would be born.
As this was the first child for the Duke and Duchess, Harry spoke to reporters about the family’s first special moments together.
“I’m very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a baby boy early this morning. Very healthy baby boy. The mother and the baby are doing incredibly well. It’s been the most amazing experience I could ever possibly imagine. How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension, but we’re both absolutely thrilled and so grateful to the love and support from everybody out there. It’s been amazing.
“Still thinking about names but, the baby is a little overdue so we’ve had a little bit of time to think about it –but that’s the next bit. We’ll be able to see you in two days’ time as planned and be able to share it with you as a family and share it with you guys and so everyone can see the baby.
I haven’t been at many births, this is definitely my first birth — it was amazing, absolutely incredible and as I said, I’m so incredibly proud of my wife and as every father and parent would ever say, your baby is absolutely amazing, so this little thing is absolutely to die for so I’m over the moon.”
Archie is introduced to the world
On 8 May, two days after his birth, the Duke and Duchess stood in the vast St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle for an intimate photocall. Meghan declared at the time that the baby was “a dream” and that motherhood was “magic.”
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Duchess went on to add, “It’s magic – it’s pretty amazing and I have the two best guys in the world so I am really happy.”
The hall would be where the couple held their wedding reception nearly a year prior.
Announcement of name
The name of the child was announced in an Instagram post. The photo showed the Sussexes introducing their child to Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh. Meghan’s mother, Doria, was also present for the occasion.
Archie is the eighth great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II. He is also currently seventh in the line of succession to the British throne.
Because his mother is American, Archie is considered both a citizen of the United Kingdom and of the United States; as such, he is the closest American in line to the British throne.
Why is Archie not a prince?
Unlike his cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis of Cambridge, Archie does not have a royal title. For the time being, he is only known as “Master.”
As the Duke’s son, Archie is the heir apparent to his father’s Dukedom of Sussex, Earldom of Dumbarton, and Barony of Kilkeel. An option was given for Archie to use Harry’s subsidiary title of Earl of Dumbarton as a courtesy. However, the Duke and Duchess decided against it as they wish for Archie to grow up as a private citizen.
Because of the 1917 Letters Patent, Archie was not eligible for a princely title. Issued by George V, the patent declares that only the children of the sovereign, sons of sons of the sovereign, and the eldest son of the Prince of Wales would be entitled to certain titles.
When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were expecting their first child, The Queen made changes to the patent. The changes state that all children of the eldest son of The Prince of Wales should have and enjoy the style, title, and attribute of Royal Highness as well as the title of Prince or Princess.
Celebration
While the location of where the Duchess would give birth was unknown, well-wishers gathered in Windsor, where the couple wed, as they anticipated the news of the royal birth.
Embed from Getty ImagesAround the world, several landmarks were illuminated to mark Archie’s birth including Niagara Falls, the CN Tower, and the London Eye.
Initial pregnancy announcement
As the Duke and Duchess arrived on a royal tour of Australia in October 2018, Kensington Palace announced that the couple were expecting.
“Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019.”
