Prince Archie Turns 5 After Fans Praise Prince Harry & Meghan Markle For Throwing A ‘Normal’ Birthday Party

May 06, 2024

Ever since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle officially left their posts as members of the royal family, the public has been incredibly interested in how they will live in the United States. While we now know more about their daily lives, the same can’t be said for their two children—Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex. 

However, we know that Archie celebrated his 4th birthday on May 6, 2023, on the same day King Charles III had his coronation ceremony in the United Kingdom. Despite choosing to keep their only son out of the public eye, the Sussexes have given the public glimpses of their firstborn on multiple occasions. From these moments, we’ve learned a few things about the young prince — notably, his adorable resemblance to both of his parents! In celebration of his 5th birthday, let’s look at Prince Archie of Sussex’s family resemblance.

Born on May 6, 2019, almost one year after his parents’ first wedding anniversary, Archie kept eager royal fans interested in him. In his short life, the young prince has moved around a lot. Born in the UK, less than a year after his birth, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex formally renounced their official titles and stepped down as working royals. The young family then moved to Vancouver Island for a few months before settling down in Markle’s home state of California, moving first to Los Angeles, then Montecito, Santa Barbara, for more privacy.

In celebration of Archie’s 5th birthday, fans of the Sussexes are looking back on a resurfaced video of Meghan when she was preparing for the little Prince’s first birthday. Keep reading to learn more about how Prince Harry and Meghan celebrated Archie’s birthday through the years. 

For Archie’s first birthday, Save With Stories posted a video of Meghan reading a book titled “Duck! Rabbit!” to Archie on her lap. As Meghan tries to capture the young royal’s attention by making him flip through the pages of the picture book, Prince Harry was behind the camera, filming the adorable moment. 

Little Archie couldn’t communicate with his parents at the time, but he could be heard saying “Da, da, da, da,” to his “Dada” behind the camera. 

Sadly, Archie’s first birthday was celebrated with fewer people because of the strict guidelines of the coronavirus pandemic at the time. 

“They are celebrating as a family focused on Archie and being together,” a source told People Magazine at the time. “They’ll have a smash cake and Zooms with family and friends. It’s been beautiful weather, so perhaps a family stroll with the dogs.”

For his second birthday, The Sussexes posted a photo of a now-standing Archie holding a bouquet of balloons on a field. 

“We cannot think of a more resonant way to honor our son’s birthday,” Harry and Meghan said in their message, imploring their fans to donate to a vaccine equity fund. “If we all show up, with compassion for those we both know and don’t know, we can have a profound impact. Even a small contribution can have a ripple effect. Together, we can uplift, protect, and care for one another.”

One month after he celebrated his second birthday, Archie officially became an older brother as Meghan and Harry welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet, in June 2021. 

However, on Archie’s third birthday, Harry and Meghan did not share an annual birthday photo celebrating their son’s birthday. But, the official social media account of the British Royal Family greeted the young royal on his special day in 2022. 

“Wishing Archie Mountbatten-Windsor a very happy 3rd Birthday!” the caption read, showing a photo of The Sussexes and the late Prince Phillip and Queen Elizabeth II meeting newborn Archie. 

Likewise, Harry’s brother and sister-in-law, Prince William and Kate Middleton, greeted Archie on his third birthday through their social media accounts. They posted a photo of Archie, Harry, Meghan, William, Kate, King Charles, Queen Camilla, Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland, and two of the late Princess Diana’s sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, during Archie’s christening. 

As for his fourth birthday, Archie received a bike from a local store in Montecito, California, to celebrate his special day. According to People, one of the Mad Dogs & Englishmen Bike Shop owners was British, and they decided to give the young royal a special gift that even Princess Lilibet could enjoy when she grew up. 

The business owners even received a thank you letter from The Sussexes, expressing their appreciation for the gift. 

“On behalf of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, please accept their sincere thanks for the thoughtful gift you sent to Prince Archie for his fourth birthday. The bike has brought much joy, and is most appreciated by the family. They asked that I convey their gratitude at the lovely surprise,” the letter read. 

Like Archie’s third birthday, the celebration for his fourth wasn’t grand. A source told the publication that “It’s going to be a low-key party at home,” adding that The Sussexes will only “have friends around them and Meghan’s mom, Doria [Ragland]. Meghan will definitely have support that weekend.”

In January 2024, a video of Meghan preparing for Archie’s first birthday in 2020, resurfaced on TikTok. 

The clip was taken from the Sussexes’ controversial Netflix docu-series, “Harry & Meghan.” 

“We are making this balloon arch for Archie’s first birthday,” Meghan tells the camera, while Harry responds: “Doesn’t look like an arch.” 

The couple helped each other blow balloons for Archie’s first birthday celebration. Harry and Meghan also worked together to bake their son’s first birthday cake—Harry poured the dry ingredients while Megan mixed everything together. 

Fans couldn’t help but thank Meghan and Harry for giving Archie a “normal” birthday, far from the grand festivity and preparation they would probably do if they were still living in the United Kingdom. 

“This is so sweet. What a great memory for Archie and his parents,” a user said on TikTok. 

“I love them so much I know Princess Diana is happy for them,” another commented, referring to the late Princess Diana’s preference for simplicity. 

“I wish you all the happiness this is the very sweetest video your both so normal lol,” another described. 

“I wish more than anything you guys find peace and happiness and just enjoy the life you really want love you both,” a fan wrote. 

“Happy family. Good thing you left UK drama. What a peacefully life,” one shared. 

Meanwhile, it has been highly speculated that Meghan and the children would not accompany Prince Harry for his upcoming visit to the United Kingdom for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. However, Page Six reported that King Charles is extending an olive branch to the estranged family and is inviting them to stay at the Balmoral Castle in the summer to see his grandchildren. 

Happy Birthday, Prince Archie! What can you say about the young royal? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other Royal Family fans!