Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's Parenting Style Explained
Ever since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot, fans knew these two were going to be a great team. Indeed, Harry's sensitive and caring side coupled with Meghan's feminism and strength has made for a complementary relationship. Their team dynamic has become clear as the couple navigated the rules and responsibilities of royal life, a relentless global spotlight, and the challenges of parenthood.
As they settle into their roles as a mother and father to Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, followers are also beginning to understand what kind of parenting style the Duke and Duchess of Sussex might follow. From the start, Prince Harry made it clear he wouldn't stand anyone — particularly the press — attacking his wife or child, suggesting that he was going to be a protective papa bear. "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," he said. "I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces."
Since then, these famous parents have made some bold decisions for their family. Let's take a closer look.
Meghan and Harry are protective of their son's privacy
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have made it clear that they want their son, Archie, to enjoy some peace and quiet. Perhaps because the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been afforded so little privacy, they've made it a point to try to carve out some boundaries for their son. In fact, that reportedly played a role in the couple's decision to step away from royal duties and relocate across the pond..
Harry wanted to "shield his son from the negativity and tension he would've been exposed to back in England" an insider source told Us Weekly, adding that Harry "knows what it's like to grow up in the spotlight, and he wants to give Archie the most normal upbringing possible."
The pursuit of a private life has been a common theme in the decisions Meghan and Harry have made since Archie was born on May 6, 2019. Court documents have revealed that Markle allegedly did not feel supported by the rest of the royals during her pregnancy, which may be why she and Harry initially chose to keep the location of Archie's birth private. They also didn't reveal much about their son's godparents or his christening, and they even refrained from giving Archie a royal title, according to Hello! magazine.
The couple's most groundbreaking move was "Megxit" — Meghan and Harry's decision to leave "The Firm" and relocate to Los Angeles.
Meghan and Harry's parenting style is rooted in family
Though Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have stepped away from royal duties in the United Kingdom and moved to the United States, they've established a parenting style focused on their family's roots — albeit in what appears to be a highly selective fashion.
Prince Harry reportedly kept a framed photo of his late mother, Princess Diana, in Archie's nursery at Frogmore Cottage in England. When the family moved to Los Angeles, Meghan's mother (pictured left) became a steady presence in her grandson's life. "Doria Ragland continues to live with Meghan, Harry and Archie," an insider told Us Weekly. "This has been the most time she has spent with her grandson since he was born."
Even though the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are now far away from the rest of the royal family, they did reportedly coordinate opportunities for Archie to bond with the British branches of his family tree, spending time with his great-grandmother Elizabeth (you know, the Queen of England?), Uncle William and Aunt Kate, cousins George, Charlotte, and Louis, and other royal relatives.
Meghan and Harry are raising Archie 'clean and green'
Though Archie is a blue blood, his parents are reportedly focused on a green lifestyle for the little royal. "I'm sure the baby's going to be raised clean and green," Meghan's Markle's friend, makeup artist Daniel Martin, told CBS News. "She loves to cook, eating organic whenever she can. I totally see her making her own food. Totally!" Archie's grandmother, Doria Ragland, has also been pitching in to help make Archie's "all-organic" meals.
Meghan also makes sure their son gets his daily dose of mother nature. According to the Daily Mail, Meghan takes Archie on long walks "through the woods" every day. "She either pushes him in a stroller through the paved trails through the public woods by their home or straps him on and walks the more rustic routes," a source said.
Prince Harry also joins in their nature expeditions from time to time. In fact, the family of three took a trip to South Africa when Archie was just 4 months old, and the itinerary focused on mental health and environmental advocacy. Archie even met human rights advocate Desmond Tutu (pictured) during the trip.
When asked about parenthood, Meghan said (per People): "It's magic. It's pretty amazing. I have the best two guys in the world, so I'm really happy," The couple is clearly finding it's parenting style, and we're excited to continue witnessing the journey.