Prince Archie turns seven as Sussexes guard his private childhood
Prince Archie, the eldest child of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, turned seven on 6 May. His parents, Harry and Meghan, have consistently shielded him from public attention since his birth in 2019. A rare photo shared by Meghan marked the occasion, offering a glimpse into their private family life. Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born at London’s private Portland Hospital on 6 May 2019. From the start, his parents broke with royal tradition by skipping the customary press photo call outside the hospital. Instead, they introduced him to the world days later in a carefully staged private event.
Later that year, Archie accompanied Harry and Meghan on their official tour of southern Africa. At just four months old, he was photographed with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, one of the few public images of him as a baby. The Sussexes have since kept his appearances minimal, emphasising their wish for him to grow up away from media scrutiny. Meghan previously stated that Archie would be raised as a 'private citizen' without a royal title to protect his privacy. However, when King Charles ascended the throne in 2022, Archie and his younger sister, Lilibet, became entitled to use the titles 'prince' and 'princess'. Reports suggest the King has met Archie only a handful of times and Lilibet just once in 2022. Harry has spoken openly about his desire to be the 'best version' of himself for his children. The family’s decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 further reinforced their commitment to a more private life.
Archie’s seventh birthday highlights the Sussexes’ ongoing efforts to balance public interest with family privacy. His limited public appearances and the rare photo shared by Meghan reflect their careful approach to raising their children outside the traditional royal spotlight. The family’s choices continue to shape Archie’s upbringing away from the monarchy’s usual expectations.
