Meghan Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, have two lovely children and a wonderful home. Their firstborn, Archie was welcomed to the world in the UK, while the Sussexes were still active members of the Royal Family, while their daughter, Lilibet, first saw the light of day after the family had moved to the US.

Harry revealed many details about his brood in his book, Spare. Foremost, he recollected the days they were born, and he spoke proudly about the love and joy associated with becoming a father. Sadly, he and Meghan have also endured heartbreak as well, with Meghan suffering a miscarriage about four years ago.

Royal enthusiasts have watched with interest as Archie and Lilibet have navigated their first few years of life. They were not with their parents for the three-day Nigeria tour some weeks ago, but in the future, they may join their parents abroad, too. I should go without saying that – as with any parent – Harry and Meghan miss their children dearly when away. But it appears that Meghan not only sad about the fact that she’s away from her children – but also that they aren’t babies anymore.

On March 31, 2020, Harry and Meghan officially called time on their lives as royals. The couple’s decision to leave the monarchy behind shocked fans worldwide. The Sussexes have repeatedly exposed what they considered faults within the Royal Family, including the perceived difficulties Meghan had in becoming a part of the Firm.

Prince Harry & Meghan Marke – firstborn son Prince Archie

While the feuding had begun years before the couple left the Royal Family, Harry and Meghan were always focused on creating a family. Their son, Archie, was born at The Portland Hospital in London on May 6, 2019.

Before Archie could even talk or walk, he was caught up in a considerable controversy that came to light after Harry and Meghan’s infamous Oprah Winfrey interview. During that sit down, his mother spoke openly about her time and troubles where living in the UK was concerned.

She revealed many things about the British monarchy, including that then-Prince Charles refused to take Harry’s phone calls.

However, the most shocking part occurred when Meghan claimed conversations had taken place within the palace concerning how dark Archie’s skin would be before his birth.

As with the birth of any royal child, it was a monumental occasion when Archie was born. However, Harry and Meghan decided to approach things a bit differently.

In her book The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth’s Legacy and the Future of the Crown, Katie Nicholl described Harry as “almost morbidly obsessed” with keeping Archie’s birth as secret as possible.

Prince Harry & Meghan Markle ‘tricked’ reporters at the time of Archie’s birth

Yet as millions of loyal fans and the majority of the public sought information about the little boy, the longing for secrecy was ignored, instead dubbed part of the “unwritten contract between the royals and the public.”

“Behind the scenes, matters were so fraught that more than one official — as I know from personal experience — was reduced to tears of frustration and despair,” Rebecca English, royal editor of the Daily Mail, added.

Usually, when a royal baby is born, the parents find themselves on the steps of the hospital with their new son or daughter to post before the media. After photographs are taken, the proud mother and father usually answer a few questions before retreating to privacy.

According to Katie Nicholl, Harry and Meghan wanted to approach Archie’s birth differently. Instead of facing the media openly, they tricked reporters and photographers.

Prince William, Prince Harry, and William’s children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, were all born at St Mary’s Hospital; thus, the traditional first baby photos were taken there. However, Meghan’s doctor worked at Portland Hospital, so it made sense for Meghan to deliver Archie there. Not only that, but the Sussexes were told that the place would make photos impossible due to safety considerations around the entrance.

“Harry had always enjoyed outfoxing the media,” Nicholl wrote in The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth’s Legacy and the Future of the Crown.

“He and Meghan were thrilled to be safely delivered of their son in London’s private Portland hospital even before the palace press office had confirmed the duchess was in labor.”

In their Netflix documentary series, Meghan explained how she was anxious about what might happen the day her baby boy was born.

“There was already the pressure of the picture on the steps. … But I had been really worried going into that labor because I’m older, I didn’t know if I’d have to have a c-section, and I had a very longstanding relationship with my doctor, and that’s who I trusted with my pregnancy,” she said.

Harry ate chicken while Meghan was in labor

Two days later, Harry and Meghan decided to participate in a brief photo session, where one reporter was permitted to ask questions.

Though everything went according to plan, their time at the hospital had been quite dramatic. In Spare, Harry described an extraordinary scene at the Portland Hospital, where he got high on laughing gas to calm himself down.

“But I saw two ways of enhancing my calm. One: Nando’s chicken (brought by our bodyguards). Two: A canister of laughing gas beside Meg’s bed. I took several slow, penetrating hits,” Harry wrote in his tell-all book.

“Meg was so calm. I was calm too.”

He added: “Meg, bouncing on a giant purple ball, a proven way of giving nature a push, laughed and rolled her eyes. I took several more hits, and now I was bouncing too.”

Harry then explained that a nurse tried giving his wife the gas for the pain, but he had already consumed it all.

“I could see the thought slowly dawning. Gracious, the husband’s had it all. ‘Sorry,” I said meekly.’”