In case you've been living under a rock, this is your official reminder that Prince Harry
and Meghan Markle will officially be stepping back from their royal duties at the end of
March, and it's safe to say that there are quite a few changes on the horizon for the
couple.
That includes helping baby Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor adjust to his new lifestyle.
As the two soon-to-be free parents tie up loose ends in the United Kingdom and embark
on a farewell tour prior to upcoming changes in their duties, their son will be tucked
away from the limelight in North America, The Times reports.
That's right: The youngest member of the family won't be joining the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
as they reunite with the rest of the extended royal family, including Queen Elizabeth and
Harry's older brother, Prince William.
Little Archie will reportedly remain in Canada, where the couple is expected to soon settle
into their new life independent from the Royal Family.
There are a number of reasons why baby Archie could be staying in Canada while Meghan Markle
and Prince Harry attend events in the U.K.
According to Express, the couple could be trying to keep their precious one away from
the paparazzi.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are protective of Archie's privacy, and pressure from the
press is one of the reasons they decided to take a step back from royal life in the first
place.
In a statement he made prior to their announcement about parting ways with royal life, Prince
Harry wrote:
"Unfortunately, my wife has become one of the latest victims of a British tabloid press
that wages campaigns against individuals with no thought to the consequences, a ruthless
campaign that has escalated over the past year, throughout her pregnancy, and while
raising our newborn son.
Though we have continued to put on a brave face, as so many of you can relate to, I cannot
begin to describe how painful it has been."
Another potential reason U.K. fans won't be getting an Archie sighting could be the growing
threat of the coronavirus.
According to Express, cases have been confirmed in the United Kingdom and Canada, including
cases in British Columbia, where Archie is reportedly staying.
"Good morning.
Today, we are announcing that we do have another case of COVID-19 here in British Columbia.
That will be our eighth case."
Considering mounting fears about travel restrictions and the grounding of some flights, the spreading
disease could be yet another reason why Meghan and Harry have decided that Archie should
remain in North America.
According to The Times, Archie's absence is disappointing for the royal family, and Queen
Elizabeth is reportedly, quote, "very sad" that the youngest member of the family won't
make it back to the United Kingdom for a visit.
It's apparently been quite some time since the queen has seen her great-grandson.
Archie's absence means he'll miss out on family time with his cousins Prince George, Prince
Louis, and Princess Charlotte as well.
According to the Observer, he's had, quote, "minimal contact" with Prince William and
Kate Middleton's brood.
In fact, Archie hasn't been to the U.K. since the fall of 2019.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry reportedly took him to Canada in November 2019 in advance
of their big announcement about leaving royal life.
According to the Daily Mail, quote, "It is believed that Archie, who has yet to set foot
on UK soil this year, will remain with the Sussexes' nanny, and with Meghan's friend
Jessica Mulroney."
According to reports by The Sun, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to leave Archie
in Canada wasn't exactly easy on the wallet.
The decision allegedly cost the couple £50,000 and adds to the Duke and Duchess' ever-increasing
security bill.
An insider told The Sun:
"It's an expensive time just when the costs of looking after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
are under scrutiny."
The tab reported that the, quote, "couple's team of about six royal protection officers
cost taxpayers £600,000.
This goes on salaries, overtime, overseas allowance, pensions, flights, and accommodation."
Canadian police reportedly plan to stop assisting with Meghan and Harry's security after March
31, 2020, when the couple steps down as senior royals.
"Harry and Meghan are now looking for a new way to cover their own security costs as Canada
says they're no longer gonna foot the bill for their protection."
An unnamed source told The Sun:
"Next week will demonstrate the colossal challenges and sums involved when Harry and Meghan are
in London needing security just as much as Archie.
It's as much as another £50,000 to what's already being run up.
But none of that will matter to senior royals who are despondent at not seeing the baby
for so long."
Hey, we get where the senior royals are coming from, but kudos to Meghan and Harry for making
sure that Archie remains happy, healthy, and safe!
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