Prince Archie birthday snub: Royal Family 'silent' as Harry and Meghan's son turns five
Royal Family 'silent' as Prince Archie turns five
PA
Prince Archie has seemingly been left snubbed by the Royal Family as Buckingham Palace has yet to issue a statement in celebration of his birthday.
Meghan and Harry’s oldest child turns five today and although fans of the couple have taken to social media to show their support, the Royal Family has yet to do so publicly.
Instead of posting about Archie’s birthday, the official Royal Family Twitter account posted about the one-year anniversary of the Coronation, writing: “Today marks the first anniversary of The King and Queen’s Coronation in Westminster Abbey.
“As well as the service itself, the Coronation Weekend saw a carriage procession through central London, a fly-past, a Royal Salute by 4,000 troops in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, a Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle and a UK-wide volunteering initiative.
Archie Harrison's fourth birthday falls on May 6, the same day as the Coronation.PA“What’s your favourite memory of the weekend?”
It is not clear whether the Royal Family sent a message to the couple privately.
However, one royal expert shared a simple explanation as to why the royals have ignored not just Archie, but also Lilibet and other members of the Firm such as York Princesses.
“In recent years and certainly since King Charles III's reign began in September 2022, we have only seen public messages from the Royal Family's social media accounts for working members of the Royal Family, such as the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal,” Hello!'s online royal correspondent Danielle Stacey said.
Harry and Meghan with their son, Archie. Getty“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals in 2020, and no longer carry out royal duties.
“Similarly, the palace doesn't typically share messages on the likes of Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall's birthdays nor their children's special days.”
A source told Us Weekly last year: “There is no and has never been protocol for wishing happy birthdays to non-working members of the Royal Family.”
On social media, royal fans celebrated Archie’s birthday in lieu of an official message from the palace, saying: “Everyone, please join me in wishing Prince Archie a Happy 5th birthday!! May he have a wonderful day with the people who love him dearly!”
Another wrote: “Happy 5th birthday cute lovely baby HRH Prince Archie.”
A third said: “Happy 5th Birthday Prince Archie of Sussex. Wishing you an amazing day, full of love and laughter.”
According to royal commentator Ingrid Seward, Archie could celebrate his birthday with friends from school and opined that his cake could have been baked by Meghan.
She told the Sun: “As Archie has no cousins in California, he will invite his school friends – possibly the entire class. And the cool locals with kids and the Hollywood set.
“The party will be themed possibly Superhero which is popular with that age group.
“The food will be all gluten-free or possibly a choice, and there will be a themed birthday cake.”