Prince Harry has commanded the attention of the world with the release of his tell-all book Spare.
Not only did he reveal details of his life as a working royal, but also gave fans insights into what he claims went on with some of his closest family members. He also talked at length about his upbringing – including the loss of his mother, Princess Diana – and discussed in detail his time serving in the army.
Harry also shared new details about the family he has created with Meghan Markle, offering new information on his firstborn child, Archie.
Although Harry and Meghan undoubtedly enjoy the spotlight, they have thus far ensured that their children are afforded a more sheltered time of things as they grow up. As a result, not much has been seen of Archie and his sister, Lilibet.
Yet during the Sussexes’ Netflix documentary, which aired in December, Harry and Meghan opened up and shared many private moments with their children.
In Spare, Harry shared more information about his private life. Interestingly, that includes what he did while Meghan was in labor with Archie … apparently, he got high!
Since Harry and Meghan began dating, the couple have been something of a fixation for the British tabloid press. That in itself is hardly surprising – it seems like half the world wants to know what they’re doing.
Harry was “obsessed” with sheltering Archie from journalists
Since Meghan Markle was already an established name – thanks to her role in the television series Suit – it caused quite the stir when it became apparent that she would be joining the British Royal Family.
On May 6, 2019, Harry and Meghan’s son Archie was born at The Portland Hospital in London. As with the birth of any royal child, it was a huge occasion – but Harry and Meghan decided to approach things a bit differently.
According to royal expert Katie Nicholl, Harry was reportedly obsessed with not giving the media any details of his son’s birth. In her book The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth’s Legacy and the Future of the Crown, Nicholl described Harry as being “almost morbidly obsessed” with keeping Archie’s birth as secret as possible.
However, with millions of loyal fans and the majority of the public sought information about the little boy, the longing for secrecy was ignored as it was a beach of the “unwritten contract between the royals and the public.”
“Behind the scenes, matters were so fraught that more than one official — as I know from personal experience — was reduced to tears of frustration and despair,” Rebecca English, royal editor of the Daily Mail, added.
“I had been really worried going into that labor”
Prince William, Harry, and William’s children were all born at St Mary’s Hospital, and thus that’s where the traditional first baby photos were taken. However, Meghan’s doctor worked at Portland Hospital. Therefore, it made sense to give birth there. Not only that, but the Sussexes were told the place would make photos impossible due to safety considerations around the entrance.
“Harry had always enjoyed outfoxing the media,” Nicholl wrote in The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth’s Legacy and the Future of the Crown.
“He and Meghan were thrilled to be safely delivered of their son in London’s private Portland hospital even before the palace press office had confirmed the duchess was in labor.”
In their Netflix documentary series, Meghan explained how she was anxious about what might happen the day her baby boy was born.
“There was already the pressure of the picture on the steps. … But I had been really worried going into that labor because I’m older, I didn’t know if I’d have to have a c-section, and I had a very longstanding relationship with my doctor, and that’s who I trusted with my pregnancy,” she said.
Two days later, however, Harry and Meghan decided to participate in a brief photo session, where one reporter got to ask questions.
Harry. & Meghan claimed royal fear over Archie’s skin color
Before Archie could even talk or walk, he was caught up in a considerable controversy within the Royal Family. It all started with the infamous Oprah Winfrey interview, where his mother, Meghan, spoke openly about her time and troubles where living in the UK was concerned.
She revealed many things about the Firm, including that then-Prince Charles refused to take Harry’s phone calls.
However, the most shocking part occurred when Meghan claimed conversations had taken place within the palace concerning how dark Archie’s skin would be before his birth.
“They were concerned that if he were too brown, that that would be a problem?” Oprah asked Meghan.
“I wasn’t able to follow up with why,” Meghan replied. “But that — if that’s the assumption you’re making, I think that feels like a pretty safe one.”
She declined to name the person who commented, adding only: “I think that would be very damaging to them.”
By the time Harry and Meghan’s royal duties officially ended on March 31, 2020, they had already welcomed Archie. The family is now four after the arrival of their daughter, Lilibet, in 2021.
