The birth of Prince Archie, the first child of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, has sparked a whirlwind of debate and criticism, especially from those within the media.
Breaking away from royal norms, the couple chose not to partake in the traditional photo opportunity outside of Portland Hospital in London after Archie’s birth on May 6, 2019.
Instead, it took two whole days before the world caught its first glimpse of the royal baby during a photo session at St George’s Hall in Windsor Castle.
Arthur Edwards, a seasoned royal photographer who has spent decades capturing the lives of the British royals, voiced his discontent over the Sussexes’ decision.
In an interview with The Sun, he expressed that the couple appeared to have orchestrated the entire event to align with their personal preferences rather than following the long-standing traditions established by the royal family.
Edwards remarked, “The whole thing was just stage-managed to suit them,” highlighting the stark deviation from customary practices.
The photographer further criticized the misleading information that surrounded the birth.
He claimed that the press was misinformed about the timing of Markle’s labor, suggesting that they were led to believe she had gone into labor at 2 PM, only for the baby to have already been born hours earlier.
With a touch of sarcasm, Edwards quipped, “Harry’s baby Archie was almost teething before we found out he was born.”
Initially, Markle had intended to give birth at Frogmore Cottage, their residence in the UK, with an all-female team of midwives.
However, after being a week overdue, medical professionals recommended that she deliver in a hospital setting.
This shift in plans added another layer to the scrutiny surrounding the birth.
The situation has only intensified with rampant speculation on social media platforms like Twitter.
Some users have gone as far as to suggest that Archie and his younger sister, Lily, might not even be real, with wild theories claiming that other mothers are lending their children for staged photo opportunities.
A particularly sensational YouTube video titled “Megan Markle’s Fake Baby Exposed” has garnered over 77,000 views, proposing that Archie resembles a lifelike doll.
This video, featured on the Daily Empress YouTube channel, argues that the baby exhibits doll-like characteristics, igniting further controversy.
During the initial photo-op, some viewers noted that Archie appeared strangely motionless in Prince Harry’s arms, leading to conjecture that the baby could be a prop rather than a real infant.
As the discussion heated up, various royal watchers pointed out the differences between the Sussexes’ introduction of Archie and the more animated presentations by other royal families, such as the Waleses.
Observers commented that while the Wales babies were lively and their parents appeared at ease, Archie seemed subdued, with Markle displaying signs of discomfort and Harry holding him tightly.
Critics also highlighted that newborns typically exhibit movement and make sounds, which raised eyebrows regarding Archie’s apparent stillness.
Some commentators even suggested that the timing of Archie’s birth may have been misrepresented, implying that Harry’s comments during an interview hinted that Archie might have been two weeks older than reported at the time of his introduction.
The combination of these factors has fueled a firestorm of rumors and speculation, with many questioning the authenticity of the Sussexes’ portrayal of their family life.
