Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have committed fully to raising their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The pair welcomed their first child while still active royal family members, but Lilibet arrived after they had departed from royal duties for just over a year.
Archie and Lilibet likely remain unaware of their parents' tensions with the royal family, and will probably stay uninformed for some time. Sadly, this situation might harm them later as they lack connections with their royal cousins and relatives.
Prince William and Kate Middleton parent three children, and Harry and Meghan might have matched this number if not for a heartbreaking pregnancy loss. As Archie and Lilibet grow quickly, many wonder if the Sussexes plan to expand their family further. Let's examine what the couple has said about having more children.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exited royal life to establish a more secluded existence in America, choosing a path different from life inside palace boundaries. The pair specifically wanted an alternative future for their son Archie and later their daughter Lilibet, who was born in America.
From Archie's birth, indications showed the Duke and Duchess preferred to handle things differently than typical royal practice. Before welcoming Archie, they relocated to Frogmore Cottage at Windsor, with Meghan's mother traveling from America to join them.
On May 6, 2019, Harry and Meghan's son Archie was born at The Portland Hospital in London. While all royal births create significant interest, Harry and Meghan chose a distinct approach.
In the book "The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth's Legacy and the Future of the Crown," Nicholl described Harry as extremely concerned with keeping Archie's birth private.
However, as countless royal fans and the public sought news about the baby boy, this desire for privacy faced resistance because it contradicted the understood agreement between royals and citizens.
"Behind the scenes, matters became so stressful that several officials broke down in tears from frustration," noted Rebecca English, royal editor of the Daily Mail.
Harry and Meghan avoided the traditional practices followed by Prince William and Kate Middleton when welcoming their children. Senior royals typically pose for photographers outside the hospital with their newborn, but the Sussexes devised a strategy to skip this custom.
Prince William, Harry, and William's offspring all entered the world at St Mary's Hospital, establishing the tradition of initial baby photographs there. Yet, since Meghan's physician worked at Portland Hospital, delivering there was logical. Additionally, the Sussexes received information that the location would prevent photos due to entrance security issues.
"Harry always found joy in eluding media attention," royal writer Katie Nicholl stated in "The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth's Legacy and the Future of the Crown."
"He and Meghan felt delighted to safely welcome their son at London's exclusive Portland hospital even before the palace officials announced the duchess had started labor."
Prince Harry consumed chicken during Meghan's childbirth
While Harry and Meghan aimed to maintain privacy regarding Archie's arrival, the Duke chose to reveal certain moments from their first son's birth day. In his memoir "Spare," Harry described the unusual scene at Portland Hospital where he decided to use laughing gas to ease his anxiety.
"I identified two methods to boost my relaxation. First: Nando's chicken (delivered by our security team). Second: A container of laughing gas next to Meg's bedside. I inhaled deeply several times," Harry disclosed in his revealing book.
"Meg maintained perfect composure. I felt composed too," he continued: "Meg, using a large purple exercise ball, a known method to encourage natural progress, smiled and rolled her eyes. I took additional inhalations, and soon I felt buoyant as well."
Harry then revealed that a healthcare worker attempted to give his wife the gas for pain management, but he had already used the entire supply.
"I noticed realization slowly appearing. Oh my, the husband has consumed it all. 'My apologies,' I said quietly."
Eventually, medical staff administered an epidural to Meghan to reduce her discomfort.
"The pain specialist rushed inside. The music stopped, and lights brightened. Wow. Complete atmosphere change."
Despite initial concern that Archie might have become entangled in his umbilical cord, he emerged safely – causing both Harry and Meghan to weep with relief.
Princess Lilibet's naming created disagreement
Prince Archie was barely one year old when his parents chose to permanently leave royal duties and relocate to North America. After establishing their home in Montecito, California, their family expanded.
On Sunday, June 6, 2021, Harry and Meghan shared news of their daughter's arrival. Although her birth brought widespread happiness, it also sparked some debate.
She received the name Lilibet, which originated as a personal nickname for her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. The late monarch had called herself Lilibet as a young child because she struggled to say her full name correctly.
"The mere act of naming this child triggered a diplomatic dispute. Disliking the admittedly complex protocol rules surrounding the British royal family, Meghan and Harry selected Lilibet, seemingly believing it would please her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth," royal analyst Tom Quinn explained in his publication "Gilded Youth: An Intimate History of Growing Up in the Royal Family."
Meghan experienced pregnancy loss before conceiving Lilibet
"Harry's inability to anticipate that this would create problems defies understanding. He certainly should have recognized that adopting the monarch's cherished childhood nickname would be viewed by many as disrespectful and invasive in ways that naming their daughter Elizabeth would not have been."
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have, like parents everywhere, felt profound joy upon welcoming their children. However, the period preceding Lilibet's arrival contained both happiness and deep sorrow.
Approximately one year before Lilibet was born, Harry and Meghan faced a heartbreaking experience. In 2020, Meghan became pregnant again, but sadly lost the baby.
Four months afterward, in a candid article, Meghan described feeling sudden pain and requiring hospitalization.
"Later that day, I lay in a hospital bed, clutching my husband's hand. I noticed the dampness of his palm and kissed his knuckles, wet from our shared tears. Gazing at the sterile white walls, my vision blurred. I tried to envision our path to healing. Losing a child means enduring an almost unbearable sorrow," Meghan wrote.
Today, years later, the emotional wounds persist. A source informed OK! Magazine that Meghan naturally experiences sadness during the annual period when her miscarriage anniversary approaches.
Nevertheless, love prevails, and her family provides her tremendous happiness.
"She considers herself fortunate to have Archie and Lili and the family she and Harry have built together. Yet naturally, as her miscarriage anniversary nears, she experiences grief. The date holds significant emotional weight for her," the source told OK!.
Meghan Markle feels "melancholy" about her children growing older
In recent months, The Duchess has allocated more time to her professional endeavors, particularly her lifestyle brand, "American Riviera Orchard." The source tells OK! Magazine that Meghan believes it important to demonstrate to her children that "mothers work too."
"Yet her family life always takes priority; she arranges work around the children's activities to remain available when they need her, and she simply wants to maximize and treasure every moment with them as they develop," the source clarified.
Following their departure from royal duties, Harry and Meghan have launched various business initiatives. While not all succeeded, earlier this year, they undertook a mission reminiscent of royal duties.
Harry and Meghan embarked on a three-day expedition to Nigeria in May to champion the Invictus Games. While they relished their visit, two individuals were absent. Archie and Lilibet remained in the US, though sources indicate the youngsters might accompany their parents on upcoming international trips.
"Meghan dislikes separation from her children as she wants to witness every moment of their rapid development," an insider revealed to OK!.
"As Lili reaches three years old, it has prompted Meghan and Harry to reflect on their future and the swift pace of their children's growth. Meghan particularly senses that her little ones are no longer infants, and like most mothers, this creates a touch of nostalgia and longing for the baby phase that has concluded."
Might Prince Harry & Meghan Markle welcome a third offspring?
So, Meghan Markle feels nostalgic about her children maturing, but perhaps the pair has contemplated adding a third child? Three years have passed since Lilibet's birth, and many have speculated whether Harry and Meghan will follow Prince William and Kate Middleton's example by having three children. Will this occur? Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appear to hold a quite definite stance on this matter.
In 2019, when Archie was merely one year old, Prince Harry participated in a Vogue Magazine interview discussing an environmental conservation approach that some may find debatable. Harry expressed his belief that people should limit their number of offspring.
"I believe, strangely, because of the individuals I've encountered and the locations I've been privileged to visit, I've consistently maintained a connection and appreciation for nature. I perceive it differently now, without doubt. But I've always strived to ensure that, even before becoming a parent and hoping to have children...," Harry stated.
"What additional blessings could one request?"
The interviewer, Dr. Jane Goodall, interjected, "Not excessive numbers!" and chuckled. Harry proceeded, "Two, at most! But I've consistently believed: we merely borrow this planet. And, certainly, as intellectually capable as we all are, or as evolved as we supposedly have become, we ought to leave improved conditions for subsequent generations."
Meghan Markle discussed her desired family size in the well-known Oprah Winfrey conversation in 2021, which marked the first occasion the Sussexes publicly shared their adverse experiences while still serving as Royal Family members.
"[I'm] simply grateful to have any child. Any number, one or two, would have been wonderful but to have a son followed by a daughter - what additional blessings could one request? Now we've completed our family, we consist of four people plus our two canine companions," Meghan informed Oprah.
Harry confirmed they had "concluded" with two children, to which Meghan affirmed, "Two completes us."
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle seem very resolute about their choice to cease expanding their family. However, the future remains uncertain, and perhaps a new prince or princess might someday arrive in Montecito.
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