Meghan Markle “doesn’t want Britain to become a longed-for fantasy for her son Prince Archie”, it has been claimed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down from their roles as senior working royals in 2020. The Sussexes, along with their son Prince Archie, then moved from England to the United States, which is where they welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet, the following year.
Since stepping down from their senior roles and moving across the pond, the Sussexes have been raising their two children in the lavish neighbourhood of Montecito and within their sprawling £11m mansion. But now it has been claimed that Meghan is concerned that Britain, Archie’s birth place, might become a “longed-for fantasy” for him.
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Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, royal expert and author Tom Quinn told us: “Archie loves the idea that his grandad lives in a castle and Meghan was worried that a magnificent shepherd’s hut or similar extravagant present will only increase Archie’s growing interest in his royal connections.
“She doesn’t want Britain to become a longed-for fantasy for her son so she had been pushing Harry to insist that his father gets Archie a simple present.”
He added: “But Charles is desperate to show he cares and he wants to be an indulgent grandparent, partly because he has mellowed over the years and wants to make up for what he sees as his neglect of his own sons.
“King Charles hasn’t seen his grandson Archie since 2022 and Archie really misses him – many of Archie’s books are about kings, princesses and castles and he knows enough to know that his grandfather lives in a castle.
“He is apparently desperate to come to the UK with his father, but Meghan and Harry don’t want to encourage this.”
This comes after the Sussexes wrapped up a 72-hour whirlwind tour of Nigeria. While in the West African country, Meghan, who has Nigerian ancestry, was honoured as an Ada Mazi, which appears to be a title of respect meaning “daughter of an aristocrat”, with the honour being of the Ancient Arochukwu Kingdom.
Three Kings, His Eminence Engr Eberechukwu Oji, Eze Aro of Ancient Arochukwu Kingdom, Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha and Great Olu Of Warri Kingdom, all took part in the special ceremony.