Archie Harrison Turns One, Biggest Moments From His First Year

Happy birthday Archie Harrison!

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s baby boy, who was born on May 6, 2019, is officially one year old, and like most kids, he has had a busy year. Of course, as someone who was also born into the British royal family, he likely had an even bigger first year than other kids. Add in all the drama that surrounded his parents since his birth, and he could potentially have had one of the biggest first years on record.

Here’s a look back at all the biggest moments that took place in Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor's first year.

A Controversial Christening

Just two months after his birth, Archie was Christened in the same manner as his royal cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis—but the event was not without drama. Not only was there alleged reported drama within the family because of a conflicted calendar that kept Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, his great-grandparents, from attending. When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose a date, they allegedly did not consider her Majesty’s calendar—she was in Sandringham with her husband at the time, and as a result, she was not in the official photos from the event.

In addition, the couple also made the ceremony completely private, something that was a break from standard procedure, and the only photos that the public was able to see were the official ones that were released. There was also criticism over their refusal to identify the people they had named to be Archie’s godparents as well.

A Trip To Africa

In September, Archie accompanied his parents during their tour in Africa, which also saw quite a bit of drama for the royal family. While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s tour was initially praised, things quickly took a turn when they released a statement afterward that they were filing a lawsuit against the press. They also used the trip to film a documentary where Markle admitted to trying to adapt as much as possible to British life but admitted it was difficult for her.

Archie was also brought into the conversation in Prince Harry’s statement about the lawsuit, where he compared the attacks he felt his wife was being subjected to were similar to the ones his mother, Princess Diana, faced—and that he wasn’t going to allow for his wife or son to be treated in such a way.

“Unfortunately, my wife has become one of the latest victims of a British tabloid press that wages campaigns against individuals with no thought to the consequences—a ruthless campaign that has escalated over the past year, throughout her pregnancy and while raising her newborn son,” he said at the time.

Two Big Moves

Following his parents first deciding to take a six-week break from royal duties at the end of 2019, the bombshell announcement came that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were actually stepping away from royal life completely. That announcement also came with two big moves for the young tot. First, his family headed to Vancouver Island in Canada, before then heading to Los Angeles.

Unfortunately, it has been reported that Quarantine measures they have had to deal with since their move because of the continuing Coronavirus pandemic are affecting their happiness in their new lives—including their now aborted plans to have a party to honor their son’s big day.