Prince Archie Turns 5: Inside His Life in California Where He Helps to Pick Oranges & Learns to Cook

• Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, the son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex turned five.
• The royal family did not acknowledge Archie's birthday but he reportedly celebrated it with his parents, sister, and grandmother in the US.
• Archie has a joyful upbringing in California, where he has fun with his parents, cooking, picking oranges, and playing in the snow.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, got married on May 19, 2018. The couple have two kids, Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, born in May 2019, and Princess Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, born in June 2021.

Harry and Meghan's first child, Archie, was born in the early morning of May 6, 2019, weighing 7lbs., 3oz. During Meghan's labor at the Portland Hospital, Harry shared that he used the laughing gas intended for Meghan to ease his own nerves.

Additionally, the couple's bodyguards arranged for a takeaway meal from Nando's. They also listened to music by German artist Deva Premal. The artist transformed Sanskrit mantras into melodies, throughout the delivery process.

As Meghan's contractions intensified, she opted to labor in a bathtub and received an epidural for pain relief. Harry recounted holding Meghan Markle's hand as she pushed. He described the birth of their son as complicated, with his head being described as tangled.

Still, when Archie was born, the Duchess and her husband were excited to become parents. They also thanked the public for sharing in their excitement. In the end, Harry said his son's birth was "the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined."

Harry's friend, Nacho Figueras, a professional polo player, also shared his views on the Duke as a father. Nacho said Harry seemed extremely happy after welcoming Archie. "I'm very happy and excited for him," he added.

Nacho also described his friend as a person who adores kids. "I've seen him interact with children for a very long time in all these things that we do in Africa so I'm not surprised he's an amazing father," revealed Nachos.

When Archie was only three weeks old, Nacho shared his views. He speculated that the little boy would become a polo player like his dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather. "I would love for him to do it," gushed Nachos.

Archie, who has ginger curls identical to his dad's, is growing up with the love and care of his amazing parents. When he was three, he asked his mom to listen to his heartbeat on a wooden toy stethoscope. Meghan would play along, listening to the thumping of his chest to the giggles and satisfaction of Archie.

Now, Archie has turned five and most of his extended family is in the UK while he, his sister, and his parents reside in the US. Due to this estrangement, even on his birthday, none of the royals acknowledged Archie's special day on social media.

Reports indicate that this move is due to a change in routine. In September 2022, the protocol underwent revisions following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. With King Charles assuming the role of monarch, posts now focus solely on highlighting the activities of working members within the Windsor family.

Hence, Archie was not wished a happy birthday on social media because his parents are no longer working members of the royal family.

However, it's been reported that Archie enjoyed a quiet and intimate celebration at his family home. He was joined by his loving parents, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, and his grandmother, Doria Ragland.

Still, royal expert, Tom Quinn has claimed that King Charles III is desperate to have a relationship with Archie and Lilibet. Charles did not have an opportunity to bond with his grandson as his time in the UK was brief.

Harry and Meghan, in response to the royal rift, decided to step back from their official duties and relocate to the US when Archie was five months old.

Harry, who grew up in the UK, now refers to the US as home. This is where he and his family have settled down. Details of Archie's upbringing alongside his younger sister Lilibet, who is two, were unveiled in Harry and Meghan's Netflix documentary series "Harry & Meghan" in 2022.

Viewers witnessed Archie chasing seagulls at the beach, assisting his parents in picking oranges from the garden, and enjoying playtime with his cherished family dogs, Labrador Pula and Beagle Guy.

It was previously disclosed that Archie attended pre-school and was expected to transition to full-time education upon turning six. With him now being five, there's speculation that he may enroll in kindergarten in the upcoming autumn term.

When he was in pre-school, his mom would pick him up and assess if he had a great day. One trip from school involved him eating a quesadilla as he looked forward to rolling down the window himself once they reached a huge hedge he loved for unknown reasons.

Meghan also had a letter from her son's teacher, informing her that he had a positive day at school. However, it mentioned that he didn't eat his sandwich during lunchtime. Additionally, he had to change his shirt mid-morning because they had been playing at the water table.

Meghan teaches her son to be brave, reminds him to be polite, and to say please and thank you. During a car ride from home to school, Meghan handed her security team a new black backpack.

At a stop sign along the way, she instructed them to give it to an unhoused man they encountered on the corner. These acts of kindness teach Archie that people are different, with some living in big houses, and small ones, and others between homes, but all deserving of kindness.

Archie and Lilibet's life away from the spotlight involves the little things that give them opportunities to bond with their parents, such as feeding chickens, birthday celebrations with just their loved ones, and breakfast morning routines.

Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor enjoys leisurely strolls with his mom in their picturesque garden, where he also delights in playing with his water gun. He enchants his mom when he drums on his little drum set. Mother and son are also seen in a short clip enjoying the snow while warmly dressed.

Toddler Archie also dominates the kitchen. He is seen in a clip donning an apron, and standing on a secured stool to reach the countertop alongside Meghan's niece, Ashleigh Hale. Together, they joyfully prepare dough for baking, as they share in the fun of creating something delicious together. The little boy is happy and enjoying his upbringing in the US.

Outdoors, Prince Harry isn't left behind in fun and bonding moments. In the couple's Netflix documentary, Archie assisted his father in picking oranges in their family garden at their home in California.

Meghan captured the endearing video showing Harry on higher ground picking oranges and then tossing one down to his son below. Archie, dressed in beige trousers, a white T-shirt, and a blue hat, enjoyed the sunny day outdoors in August 2020, shortly after the family's relocation to the property.

The family was having lots of fun and Meghan could be heard in the background asking if Harry was picking oranges and instructing Archie to put them in the basket. A wicker basket already rested on the ground, brimming with a plentiful harvest of citrus fruits.

In another endearing scene from the Netflix series, Harry carried Archie up the garden steps. He pointed out the profusion of flowers blooming throughout their grounds. Their garden serves as a centerpiece of their private estate. It boasts of amenities such as a swimming pool, pond, and expansive play area for the children to enjoy.

Harry has also shared tidbits about his conversations with Archie. During the 5th Invictus Games' opening ceremony, he spoke about his son's possible career aspirations.

Some days, Archie wanted to be an astronaut, while other days, he favored becoming a helicopter pilot. "Or Kwazii from Octonauts. If you're laughing, then you've seen that," added Harry, chuckling.

However, Harry emphasized that he tells his son that regardless of his future career aspirations, what truly matters most is his character. He expressed that nothing would bring him and Meghan more pride than seeing Archie embody the admirable character traits those affiliated with the Invictus Games possess today.

Harry is currently in the UK to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. However, his kids and wife remain in the US ahead of Harry's brief stay in the country he grew up in.

According to royal expert Tom, there was a palpable sense of relief at Kensington Palace upon confirmation that Meghan would not be accompanying her husband to the UK. Meghan and Harry will meet in Nigeria later, where they were invited for an official visit.

As The Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue raising their kids and engaging in their professional and leisure pursuits, they have persisted with their limited interaction with the royal family. Harry, Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet continue with their lives in California, seemingly happy and at peace.