It’s no surprise Meghan Markle and Prince Harry like to do things unconventionally, and how they’re raising Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor is no different!
But the reason why they’re choosing to give the two-month-old “as normal a life as possible,” according to royal expert Katie Nicholl, has a lot more to do with the way the royal was raised than you might think.
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Nicholl shared with ET:
“I think the couple are determined for Archie to have as normal a life as possible. Prince Harry grew up very much in the spotlight, never far away from the gaze of the cameras, and at points in his life that’s been something he has resented. My understanding is that at Frogmore, they have essentially built a fortress. One of their closest friends told me it was their oasis — their sanctuary where they’re going to raise their child away from the spotlight.”
The new parents reportedly spent upwards of $63,000 on soundproofing their quaint home, located about 25 miles from the hustle and bustle of Buckingham Palace.
Katie continued, explaining what Archie’s early days have likely entailed:
“They are tucked away there, in acres of beautiful green space. Archie is enjoying, albeit a privileged lifestyle, a remarkably ordinary lifestyle. There hasn’t been a team of maternity nurses and night nurses and staff on call to cater for their every whim.”
While Miz Nicholl hears the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have a housekeeper, nanny, and two private assistants, the couple is doing “pretty much everything for themselves” when it comes to taking care of their newborn. Recently, it was confirmed the crew will be heading to Africa “as a family,” meaning Archie will likely be along for the trip!
While the staff at Frogmore is more than the help most parents have, the duo is doing their best to give their little one an “ordinary childhood.”
However, despite mum and dad doing their best to give him a normal upbringing, some things may be unavoidable because of the acts of succession:
“So, at some point further down the line, he will become technically Prince Archie. But I think regardless of him taking that title later in life, what the couple are setting out to do is to raise him ordinary. I am to understand that they want him to grow up living a normal life, to go and get a job, to make a living in the world, to make a difference in the world — but to be normal as opposed to being royal.”
Nicholl further elaborated on why he’ll have to take on a title once his grandfather becomes King:
“He is of course technically a prince, but they chose not to make him His Royal Highness and that is quite simply because they want him to be raised as a private citizen. Of course, things will change when the Prince of Wales becomes King Charles III, because the the act of succession means that any sons of sons of monarchs automatically take the HRH title. Sons and now daughters — because the Queen changed that act of succession, so it would incorporate Charlotte.”
Outside of his potential obligations in the future as a member of the royal family, the new dad has “high ambitions” for his tot to excel at playing polo in the future. Nicholl says she was recently told by Harry’s friend that “once he’s learned to walk,” he’ll get him on a pony!
This insider also echoed previous stories the two-month-old has been helping to heal the relationship between Harry and Prince William:
“Archie is being held as the olive branch who has essentially repaired relations between the royal brothers. I think we all know that there have been rumors of tensions between William and Harry. The tensions went back to William being concerned about how quickly the relationship with Meghan was moving in those early days. I think the brothers have moved on [and] they’re on much better terms. I think probably Archie has had something to do with that.”
We’re so glad to hear this!
Even though William and Kate Middleton are “thrilled” with their aunt and uncle titles, having a little space can sometimes be best:
“They’re able to be a bit more independent of the Cambridges. I think that has helped with relations, but without a doubt a new baby has definitely helped to heal tensions between the foursome.”
Cute babies definitely have that effect on people, and clearly Archie is no exception!!
[Image via WENN.]
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