Baby Archie’s whirlwind first year as he turns one, from meeting Desmond Tutu to moving to Canada & being lockdown in LA
BABY Archie turns one tomorrow and has certainly had a whirlwind year since being born into the royal family.
Despite being the latest arrival in one of the world’s most famous dynasties, his first year has largely been spent away from the public eye, and behind closed doors.
But when we have seen the royal tot, fans have gushed over how similar he looks to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Meghan Markle, 38, and Prince Harry, 35, have shared a few adorable shots of their son on Instagram, and his appearances have racked up millions of likes.
His starring debut came during the couple’s royal tour to southern Africa, where he stole the show meeting Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Here, Fabulous looks back at Archie’s action-packed first year, from his extravagant royal christening to jet-setting around the world…
Royal baby arrives on the scene
Archie Mountbatten-Windsor was born on May 6, 2019, making him seventh in line to the throne and is the youngest great-grandchild to Queen Elizabeth II.
Details surrounding the birth were highly private, with the godparents and hospital that helped to deliver Archie being kept under wraps.
Meghan and Harry beamed as they introduced their "amazing" baby boy to the world, at 12.40pm on May 8, 2019.
The couple announced the birth of their son on Instagram by sharing a simple blue background featuring the words “It’s a BOY! Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to announce the birth of their child.”
Mother’s Day feet
Meghan shared a sweet photo of baby Archie as she celebrated her first US Mother's Day.
The new mum posted a sweet snap of her little boy's feet to Instagram - in a tribute to Princess Diana - in the garden of her sunny Windsor home.
Captioning the poignant image - which also makes reference to the late princess - are the words: "Paying tribute to all mothers today - past, present, mothers-to-be, and those lost but forever remembered.
"We honor and celebrate each and every one of you.”
Royal christening
Archie was christened two months after his birth, in a private ceremony only attended by a few friends and family.
Prince Harry and Meghan celebrated Archie's christening by releasing two official photos to mark the special occasion.
The first image was a touching black and white photograph showing little Archie cradled in the arms of mum Meghan as doting dad Harry put his arm around the pair.
The second was a family portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex alongside Archie, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Kate Middleton and Prince William.
Members of the St George’s Chapel Choir performed at the ceremony as the seventh-in-line to the throne was baptised in a spectacular £11,000 Lily Font with water from the River Jordan and christened in the same royal gown Kate Middleton's children wore.
Sadly, the Queen was unable to attend due to prior arrangements.
In Harry’s arms for Father’s Day
Prince Harry and Meghan shared a never-before-seen image of baby Archie to celebrate Father's Day in June.
Posting the snap on Instagram, the six-week-old couldn't have looked any cuter as he was held by dad Prince Harry.
Archie was staring directly towards the camera, gripping his dad's finger - which also shows the royal's wedding ring - with his tiny hand.
Meeting the cousins
Fans were delighted that Meghan was spotted cradling Archie at the polo in July, as they spent time with Kate, and her three kids; Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The new mum kissed her eight-week-old son as she supported Prince Harry and Prince William at the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day - while Kate played with kids nearby.
The mums were later spotted sitting together laughing as little Louis adorably put big sunglasses on and pulled faces at his aunt Meghan and little cousin Archie.
African royal tour debut
Royal fans were left in tears over baby Archie making a surprise appearance on the third day of Meghan and Prince Harry's royal tour in September.
Videos and pictures were shared of his parents visiting Archbishop Desmond Tutu at his foundation, before Harry departed for Botswana, and they brought little Archie along.
Fans took to social media to express their joy at seeing Archie Harrison, who had hardly been seen in public since he was born in May.
It wasn’t the first flight Archie had taken, however, as he was taken by private jet in August to stay at Elton John’s £15million palatial pad in the south of France.
Archie’s first Christmas spent abroad
Baby Archie celebrated his first Christmas in an exclusive corner of Vancouver Island, Canada — 5,000 miles from the rest of the Royal Family.
Prince Harry and wife Meghan flew to luxury Deep Cove with their son and Meghan Markle's mum, Doria Ragland.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “They are enjoying sharing the warmth of the Canadian people and the beauty of the landscape with their young son.”
The couple released a cute black-and-white Christmas card of their son crawling towards the camera with them beaming behind.
New Year post in Canada
The new parents unveiled a new photo of baby Archie on their Instagram ahead of the New Year.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared a shot of their young son wearing a bobble hat and being held by Harry.
Little Archie also wore little sheepskin boots given to the couple by the Australian Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove.
The royal couple wished followers a happy 2020 as they shared their highlights from 2019 in a video reel.
Harry said during a Sentable speech in January that his son had seen snow for the first time in Canada and thought it was “bloody brilliant”.
Moved to LA and gone into lockdown
The bombshell news of Meghan and Harry stepping back from royal duties caused shockwaves among fans when it came in early 2020.
As part of starting their new lives, the couple relocated to Meghan’s hometown in March from their £11million bolthole on Vancouver Island in Canada, and aren’t far from Archie’s grandma, Doria Ragland.
It is believed Harry and Meghan are still looking for a home in the posh area of Malibu by the Pacific.
The young family are currently in lockdown, but have delivered free meals in West Hollywood for charity Project Angel Food, which is helping critically ill people who are at greater risk from Covid-19.To celebrate their son's first birthday on 6 May, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be releasing a new photo of Archie, The Sunday Times reports.
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