HRH Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex proudly showed off their baby boy to the world on Wednesday — and later revealed his name to the world.
The Duke and Duchess welcomed the arrival of the latest royal baby in the early hours of Monday, May 6, but the public had been waiting a couple of days for the first sight of the seventh in line to the throne.
Later on Wednesday the baby’s name was released to the world: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, a refreshingly non-traditional name that seems extremely fitting from this refreshingly non-traditional royal couple.
HRH Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, pose for a photo with their newborn baby son in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle on May 8, 2019. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski / AFP /Getty Images)
The first publicly-released images of Archie came on Wednesday morning as the doting parents were pictured with their newborn during a photo shoot at St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle.
HRH Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, pose for a photo with their newborn baby son in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle on May 8, 2019. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski / AFP /Getty Images)
Later in the day, the baby was pictured with HM The Queen and HRH Prince Philip.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were introduced to the newborn son of The Duke & Duchess of Sussex at Windsor Castle. Ms Doria Ragland was also present. The Duke & Duchess of Sussex are delighted to announce that they have named their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. pic.twitter.com/PaHVhPlUl5
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 8, 2019
The name took many by surprise: despite Archie being a hugely popular name in Britain — it was the 18th most popular boys’ name in 2018 — it is an unconventional choice for a royal, particularly in the shortened form. Spencer had been the bookies’ favourite before the announcement.
In another break with tradition, Archie will not have a title — he would have been entitled to be styled Earl of Dumbarton, or Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.
‘It’s magic, it’s pretty amazing. I have the two best guys in the world so I’m really happy,’ Meghan said of motherhood on the BBC’s website.
‘It’s great,’ added Prince Harry.
‘Parenting is amazing. It’s only been two and a half days, three days, but we’re just so thrilled to have our own little bundle of joy.
HRH Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, pose for a photo with their newborn baby son in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle on May 8, 2019. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski / AFP /Getty Images)
Royal babies in pictures, from 1899 to the present day
We take a look at the royal children of the past in the Country Life Archive.
