Meghan Markle won’t parade Archie on Africa tour to avoid the burden Prince Harry had, royal author claims
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry are to undertake a tour to South Africa this autumn – but a royal expert says we shouldn’t expect to see a whole lot of Archie.
Katie Nicholl, author of Harry and Meghan, said that the young royal won’t be “paraded” on the tour as Prince Harry “doesn't want him to grow up with the burden he did”.
The palace confirmed that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will visit South Africa, Botswana, Angola and Malawi later this year, and is it thought Archie will travel with them on his first royal tour.
Katie told Fabulous Digital: “I don’t think Prince Harry and Meghan will make Archie a public part of the tour.
“I think they are bringing him on tour as Meghan and Harry don’t want to spend a long period of time away from each other.”
Katie said that it is the Duke of Sussex, 34, who is keen to shield Archie from the public eye.
She added: “I think it’s more Harry. He wants him to have an ordinary life.
“I think it’s Harry who is making a point from the outset that he wants to shield his son from the limelight and I think he’s making a point that Archie will be raised as a private citizen.
“This is from the man who grew up in front of the cameras, in front of the scrutiny of the spotlight, who has said in the past he wished he’d never been born a prince.
“It makes complete sense that he didn’t want the HRH title for Archie, he didn’t want his son to have the burden that Harry grew up with."
So when will we get to glimpse the royal youngster during the trip?
Katie said: “I would expect we will get to see Archie at points, arrivals, departures, perhaps some points where it is suitable for him to be seen, but I don’t think this will be able parading baby Archie.
“I think that probably the appearances, if any at all, will be quite limited.”
Prince Harry is also said to have been the driving force behind his son’s christening in the Queen’s Chapel in Windsor on Saturday being private.
Katie explained: “I don’t think Meghan would have a huge problem with a media attendance at the christening at all.
“I think Prince Harry is establishing clear markers from the outset to perhaps manage expectations that we are not going to have the same access to this royal baby that we’ve had in the past.”
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born on May 6, meaning he could be around six or seven months or under when he travels to South Africa.
Katie added: “It is very young obviously to be taking Archie away.
“The Cambridges waited until George was nearly nine months before they took him to Australia, so I think he probably will be the youngest royal baby to be taken on tour.
This is from the man who grew up in front of the cameras, in front of the scrutiny of the spotlight, who has said in the past he wished he’d never been born a prince.
Royal author Katie Nicholl on Prince Harry
“We aren’t sure if it’ll be September or early October but if it’s around then he won’t have reached his six months. But Harry and Meghan don’t want to leave Archie behind.
“This does set a royal first given the distance, the time they are spending from home and given his age."
Katie said that the Sussexes like to “cram in as many engagements as possible” and their tours are “gruelling”, but there will be room in the schedule for some private family time.
THE SUSSEX ROYAL TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA IN AUTUMN
The palace released a statement saying: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will undertake an official visit to South Africa this Autumn at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
“In addition, The Duke of Sussex will visit Angola and Malawi at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
“His Royal Highness will also undertake a working visit to Botswana while in the region.”
She explained: “I think this tour will have a slightly different pace to it given they are travelling with such a young child and I think that will be reflected in the itinerary along with some downtime.
“My understanding is they will be taking a nanny with them.
“I think they were keen to get a nanny relatively early on to get Archie into a routine and settled and used to someone else before they embark on this epic trip to Africa.”
I think it’s Harry who is making a point from the outset that he wants to shield his son from the limelight and I think he’s making a point that Archie will be raised as a private citizen.
Royal author Katie Nicholl
Members of the royal family never used to take their kids on tours - in fact, the Queen and Prince Philip left their children at home for months at a time.
However, when Princess Diana married into the firm and had Prince William, she refused to leave the nine-month-old royal behind.
Instead, Will went along with Charles and Diana as they visited Australia and New Zealand in 1983.
TRAVELLING WITH A BABY
Babies can get vaccinated for diptheria, polio and tetanus from six months old.
As long as these are up to date, and your GP has been consulted, there shouldn't be a problem with travelling abroad with a young baby.
Meghan is unlikely to be challenged if she chooses to fly with Archie, but usually as long as the baby is over two weeks old it should be fine.
In some cases a GP letter may be required if the youngster is less than two weeks old.
And if the mum has given birth by C-section, she may not be able to fly until after the six week checkup.
There are no vaccinations needed when travelling from the UK to South Africa, but care should be taken over typhoid contaminated food or water.
Most travellers to Botswana are recommended to have their vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid fever and polio up to date.
Years later, William himself along with Kate Middleton followed in Diana's footsteps, with Prince George also visiting Oz around the same age.
Royal fans were treated to adorable photos of George playing with other children as well as visiting animals at Sydney's Taronga Zoo.
Now, it seems Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will be following the new tradition, after the trip to South Africa and Botswana was confirmed last week.
Buckingham Palace was contacted but declined to comment.
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