Meghan Markle & Prince Harry Can't Be Planning This for Archie's First Birthday, Right?

Louisa Ballhaus
·3 min read

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Right now, those of us planning to get married or celebrate a birthday in the coming months are scrambling to cancel and rearrange plans. So when we heard about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s plans for Archie’s first birthday, we were a little confused. Royal baby Archie turns one on May 6, and the Sussex couple has apparently been planning a special trip to Scotland with Queen Elizabeth II. We have to assume that our current state of affairs will deter this trip — but could Harry’s desperation to see his family win out?

According to Us Weekly, a source claims that Meghan and Harry plan on “celebrating at Queen Elizabeth II’s Scottish estate, Balmoral” and “have talked to the queen about having a picnic on the grounds.” The Queen hasn’t seen great-grandson Archie since last summer, and is reportedly greatly looking forward to the trip.

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Just this week, however, we’ve learned that Harry’s father Prince Charles tested positive for COVID-19, and is currently self-isolating at the same Balmoral Estate where this gathering was meant to happen. Meghan has reportedly banned Harry from traveling back to the UK to visit his father, in accordance with official guidelines, but we’re sure that Harry is eager to reconnect with his family as soon as possible. Sadly, no one can say when that time will come.

While Archie’s trip to Scotland may fall through, the source had some other information on how he might spend his big day. “Archie loves being outside, and you can already tell he’s inherited [Prince] Charles’ passion for nature,” the source shared. “Now that he’s just walking, he’s into everything — he’ll often end up covered in mud!” So, seems like a (socially distanced) muddy birthday walk may be in order.

And as for his gifts? We know that the Queen has already picked out a very handsome rocking horse, but we’ve now learned what Meghan intends to give him too. She’s reportedly planning to give him a copy of her own favorite children’s book, Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree, and she’ll be baking him cupcakes with animals on them.

“He squeals with excitement when he sees horses,” the source said of young Archie (sounds like the Queen knows him well!). We hope Archie’s birthday is filled with long, muddy walks, horse-covered cupcakes, and Zoom calls from relatives who love him. But Balmoral may have to wait for birthday #2.

Balmoral is one of the royal family’s favorite vacation spots — click here to see their other summer homes.

Launch Gallery: Favorite Summer Spots of the British Royal Family

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