Meghan Markle's Son Turns 5 but King Charles' Birthday Gift for Grandchild Is in Jeopardy, Expert Reveals Details

Prince Archie's fifth birthday on May 6 sparked both celebration and drama. A royal expert disclosed that King Charles III's attempt to reconnect with his grandson through a special gift was clouded by concerns over how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might react.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's eldest son, Prince Archie, recently turned five this month. On this occasion, royal expert Tom Quinn revealed that King Charles III intended to celebrate by sending his grandson a card and a small present.

Quinn added, "There has even been talk that he will send one of his own watercolour paintings to Archie as a present as Meghan loves homemade gifts and dislikes extravagant expensive presents."

Despite this thoughtful gesture, concerns arose within the palace. Quinn disclosed that Charles and his team were "desperately worried" about how Archie's mom and dad might perceive the gift. The king has been known for giving personalized and lavish gifts.

In the past, Charles famously gifted Prince George a handmade swing with the prince's name engraved on it. Harry had repeatedly told his father that gifts like this were "too grand" for Archie.

Charles has reportedly expressed hopes to reconnect with Archie through a video call. Although uncomfortable with new technology, the king, according to Quinn, is "desperate to keep in touch with his grandchildren on the other side of the Atlantic."

Quinn said an ordinary telephone call would be an alternative solution for the king to contact Harry. "It means he can have a quick word with Archie without the need to talk to Meghan, a prospect that fills him with dread," Quinn explained. This need for communication became more apparent after Archie's private U.S. birthday celebration.

Archie's birthday was held in Montecito, California, where he lives with his parents and sister, Lilibet. His grandmother, Doria Ragland, was also present for the occasion.

Quinn explained that Meghan prefers keeping birthdays "very private" to give Archie and Lilibet an ordinary childhood. "Meghan is almost obsessed with the idea that they should be quiet, very private affairs, with simple games, a birthday cake and ice cream," Quinn added.

In line with Meghan's desire for privacy, the family didn't receive the usual public birthday greetings from the royal social media accounts. According to royal correspondent Danielle Stacey, there's a reason for this.

This decision reflects King Charles' updated policy, which prioritizes birthday messages for working members like the Prince and Princess of Wales, their children, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Princess Royal.

Stacey added, "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals in 2020, and no longer carry out royal duties. Similarly, the palace doesn't typically share messages on the likes of Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, and Zara Tindall's birthdays nor their children's special days."

Despite the challenges, Charles remains dedicated to maintaining his relationship with Archie. Although rarely seen in public, Archie notably appeared in a #SaveWithStories Instagram video with Meghan in May 2020.

In the video, Archie sat on Meghan's lap as they read a book together. While the mother-son duo appeared close, this contrasted sharply with Meghan's relationship with the royal household.

In April 2024, reported accusations of bullying involving Meghan and the royal household resurfaced, tarnishing the former actress's image. These claims have affected not only royal insiders but have also captured global attention.

The allegations became public just as Meghan and Harry were preparing to share their royal journey with the world. While the palace's investigation into these claims remained undisclosed, a former royal aide, Samantha Cohen, broke her silence.

Meghan, known for her acting career and later becoming a royal by marriage, was accused of mistreating staff, allegedly leaving some in tears. The claims surfaced through leaked emails from Jason Knauf, the couple's communications assistant at the time.

Jason's emails reportedly detailed incidents where two personal assistants felt compelled to leave their jobs due to the Duchess’s behavior. Additional claims suggested Meghan consistently targeted individuals, potentially undermining their confidence.

These allegations came to light at a pivotal time. They surfaced just days before the couple's 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. It was an interview where Harry and Meghan were expected to be candid about their experience as senior royals.

In response to the swirling allegations, Buckingham Palace initiated an internal investigation. The institution, typically private and discreet, found itself in the unusual position of having to scrutinize one of its own. Yet, the outcomes of this investigation remained undisclosed to the public.

The palace's silence didn't stop the flood of speculation and commentary from royal observers and the media. Some viewed the lack of information release as a protective measure. Others saw it as a missed chance for transparency that could have built trust in the monarchy.

Amid this complex backdrop, Samantha shed light on the circumstances. A trusted royal aide with nearly two decades of service, Samantha served the late Queen before assisting the Sussexes. She confirmed her participation in the palace's inquiry.

Samantha, known for her loyalty and professionalism, offered valuable insight. Nevertheless, she remained reserved about the specific details discussed during the investigation. She hinted at the challenges of high staff turnover while working with Harry and Meghan.

"Now, finally, that dam has been breached—and I have no doubt that more will now emerge," Tom Bower, a royal author, commented.

Sharing her experience, Samantha remarked, "I was only supposed to stay for six months, but stayed for 18—we couldn’t find a replacement for me, and when we did, we took them on tour to Africa with Harry and Meghan to show them the ropes, but they left [quit] as well while in Africa."

In the face of these allegations, Meghan and Harry presented a united front, firmly denying the claims. They conveyed their frustration and sense of injustice over the narrative that had been shaped.

Harry, in his memoir "Spare," offered a contrasting portrayal of his wife. He portrayed her as an empathetic leader who cared deeply for her staff. He recounted how she would check up on those who were ill and host small gatherings to lift spirits. He painted her as a compassionate boss committed to fostering a caring work environment.

The couple's stance was a rejection of what they saw as a pattern of unfair treatment by some media outlets. They labeled the allegations a "calculated smear campaign." This sentiment was supported by statements from their legal representatives, who questioned the motives behind the accusations.

Valentine Low, a royal author, added to the conversation with claims in his book, "Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown." The claims depicted a challenging work situation with Meghan and Harry. He wrote of staff members being "screamed at" and tried to limit their time with Meghan as much as possible.

"I am very concerned that the Duchess was able to bully two PAs out of the household in the past year. The treatment of X* was totally unacceptable,” one of the leaked emails from The Times reveals.

“The Duchess seems intent on always having someone in her sights. She is bullying Y and seeking to undermine her confidence. We have had report after report from people who have witnessed unacceptable behavior towards Y," the email continued.

Amid the allegations, a spokesperson for the Sussexes responded to the bullying claims. As royal correspondent Omid Scobie noted, "The Duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma."

Scobie also shared more about Meghan Markle, "She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and what is good."

Direct accounts from staff were scarce, but the available narratives resonated with a sense of tension and strain. As more details emerged and the Sussexes shared their perspective, public opinion about the royal family—and Meghan's role in it—remained uncertain.