The Duke and Duchess of Sussex introduced their new son to the world a few hours ago, turning up for a photo call and brief interview in St George’s Hall in Windsor Castle. Following tea with the Queen during which it’s believed they personally shared with her the name, the Palace announced that the latest royal addition has been named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor
That is…not what I was expecting, and I can’t say I’m a huge fan, if for no other reason than I don’t love it when nicknames are used as given names. The real takeaway is that the couple elected not to have their son styled “Prince,” which as we’ve discussed he doesn’t automatically receive as the sitting monarch’s great-grandchild. And based on the use of “Mountbatten-Windsor” it sounds like they’re forgoing giving him the courtesy title “Earl of Dumbarton.”
Unsurprisingly, the couple looked delighted with their new baby. Meghan said about motherhood:
“It’s magic, it’s pretty amazing. He’s just been the dream so it’s been a special couple of days. I have the two best guys in the world so I’m really happy. He has the sweetest temperament, he’s really calm.”
And Harry shared that they haven’t decided who he takes after looks-wise yet, and that his appearance changes by the day. Meghan also noted that on their way to the Hall they bumped into the Duke of Edinburgh, so presumably he is planning to join them and the Queen for tea.
Meghan’s dress is by Grace Wales Bonner, a designer debut for the Duchess. Its cut is the trench/wrap silhouette that she likes so much, and in this case it’s also forgiving given that she is only two days postpartum. She looked radiant, and it was nice to see her again.
Unclear how much of a maternity leave she plans to take, but we’ll certainly see her at the baby’s christening in the next 2-3 months, and it’s a safe bet she’ll join the rest of the Royal Family for Trooping the Colour next month.
Meanwhile, the media furor over how the Palace handled the birth announcement continues to devolve into pettiness. A few reporters are still peeved that the Palace announced Meghan was in labor after the baby had already been born, and that we still don’t know for certain where he was born (Frogmore or a hospital).
That was then exacerbated by today when American media were included for the photo call when typically these types of event are reserved exclusively for British outlets (many of whom have links to networks that check the international box). In this case, the American outlet happened to be CBS where Meghan’s friend Gayle King (who attended her baby shower in NYC earlier this year), though the official line is that outlets were selected at random.
Frankly, I think this is all ridiculous and slightly maddening. Harry and Meghan aren’t obligated to share the exact timing of their child’s birth, nor the location of it for that matter. The birth was announced within hours of it happening and 48 hours later they posed for media with the new baby. Making further demands beyond that feels more than a little distasteful.
From Dickie Arbiter:
And here’s the article Chris Ship is linking to in the tweet above.
With that, let’s turn back to the new family who looks elated and lovely, so congrats to them.