Sophia Michaels
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet might not often be seen publicly, but their lives have been surrounded by speculation since their births. From their names to family rivalries, Harry and Meghan’s children have frequently captured media attention.
One major controversy involves alleged discussions among senior royals regarding Archie’s skin color before he was born. Meghan revealed in a significant interview with Oprah Winfrey that there were “concerns and conversations” about how dark Archie’s skin could be (via ITV News). This revelation caused a public outcry, prompting multiple interpretations about who was involved in those discussions.
Following that, numerous theories circulated. Tom Bower alleged in his book, “Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors”, that Queen Camilla had joked about Archie’s potential hair. Meanwhile, a Dutch edition of Omid Scobie’s book suggested that King Charles and Kate Middleton were part of the controversial conversation. Scobie, however, later contradicted that claim. Regardless of the specifics, this remains a prominent narrative associated with the young royal.
Rumors of Deception Surrounding Archie’s Birth
In addition to the controversy surrounding Archie’s skin color, his birth itself was also fraught with mixed messages that sparked debates. Traditionally, royal families present their newborns outside the hospital, but the Sussexes broke from that practice, leading to confusion.
Harry mentioned in his memoir, “Spare,” that Meghan had delivered Archie at The Portland Hospital, and they returned home just hours later. However, Buckingham Palace mistakenly announced that Meghan was in labor later that day while Harry had informed the press of Archie’s birth earlier that morning, causing public skepticism.
This discrepancy puzzled many, particularly since public money funded renovations at Frogmore Cottage. While fans felt they deserved more timely updates about the birth, Harry claimed they had not been responsible for the misleading labor announcement. The situation frustrated him, especially as he felt it didn’t matter what the truth was; the focus was on keeping the public engaged. “Truth didn’t matter. Keeping people tuned to the show, that was the thing,” he noted (via Express).
Concerns Over Queen Elizabeth’s Reaction to Lilibet’s Name
Prince Archie wasn’t the only royal child wrapped in controversy from his birth; his sister, Lilibet, faced significant media scrutiny as well. The announcement of her name sparked discussions across the press.
Many suggested that Harry and Meghan named their daughter after Queen Elizabeth as a gesture of goodwill, yet sources close to the royal family hinted otherwise. There were claims that the Sussexes had not sought permission from the queen to use her childhood nickname, leading to allegations of rudeness toward the monarch. This fueled ongoing speculation, even after the couple’s denial of any ill intentions.
Exploring Recent Rumors About Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet
Mistaken Assumptions About Princess Lilibet’s Name
In a previous BBC report, it was highlighted that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had shared Princess Lilibet’s name beforehand as a courtesy to the royal family. Their attorneys warned the media not to escalate the situation, confirming conversations had taken place with the late queen. However, Robert Hardman’s biography, “Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story,” later revealed that a palace source described the queen’s reaction as extremely angry, depicting a significant amount of tension surrounding a name that a young child does not yet understand.
Controversy Over Titles for Archie and Lilibet
Referring back to the famous interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle shared that Prince Archie, born Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, wouldn’t receive a royal title until his grandfather ascended to the throne. This point stirred debates, especially since it isn’t standard for great-grandchildren of the monarch to bear titles. In contrast, Prince William’s children were exceptions due to their direct line to the throne.
Following the queen’s death, speculation surfaced about the Sussex children’s titles, whereby they would be known as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, though without the “HRH” designation reserved for senior royals. The announcement of their titles occurred a year later amidst rumors relating to Harry and Meghan potentially losing their Frogmore Cottage residence. Some insiders alluded to this timing being intentional.
Concerns About Archie and His Grandfather
Recent rumors suggest Prince Archie is eager to bond with his grandfather, King Charles III. Royal expert Tom Quinn noted that Meghan is concerned that extravagant gifts may increase Archie’s curiosity about royal life. She prefers that gifts from the king be simpler to prevent unrealistic romanticizations of British royalty.
Despite such claims, it’s important to note that Archie has only met King Charles twice as of mid-2021, raising doubts about this rumor’s credibility given the family’s relocation to the U.S. when Archie was very young.
Allegations of Family Avoidance
Another rumor suggests that Prince William and Kate Middleton intentionally avoided Archie and Lilibet during their visit to England. This speculation gained traction around Princess Lilibet’s first birthday, which coincided with the queen’s platinum jubilee. Notably, the family was in Wales for the celebrations, making their absence understandable.
While jokes arose regarding the family’s absence, royal engagements are often planned months in advance, and any additional speculation seems unwarranted. Despite the swirling rumors, much remains unconfirmed, leaving the Sussex family relatively insulated from intense media scrutiny on their young children.
