The birth of Archie, the first child of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, caused a stir in the media as it diverged from traditional royal practices.
Breaking away from the norm, the Sussexes chose not to partake in the customary photo session on the steps of London’s Portland Hospital after Archie’s arrival on May 6, 2019.
Instead, the public caught their initial glimpse of the royal infant two days later during a photo opportunity at St. George’s Hall in Windsor Castle.
Renowned British photographer Arthur Edwards, known for his extensive work with the royal family, expressed disapproval towards Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s approach to parenthood.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Edwards criticized the couple for prioritizing their personal preferences over adhering to established postpartum traditions that have been observed since Princess Anne’s time in the 1980s.
He claimed that the entire event surrounding Archie’s birth was meticulously orchestrated to suit the couple’s desires.
Edwards further highlighted discrepancies in the information provided to the press regarding Meghan Markle’s labor and delivery.
He wryly remarked that Archie seemed almost ready to sprout teeth before the media even knew of his existence.
According to Edwards, there was misinformation circulating about the timing of Markle’s labor, with speculations suggesting she went into labor at 2 pm when, in reality, Archie had already been born hours earlier in a hospital setting.
Initially intending to have a home birth at Frogmore Cottage with an all-female team of midwives, Meghan Markle had to alter her plans due to Archie being overdue by a week.
Medical advice prompted her to give birth in a hospital setting instead.
This deviation from the original plan fueled speculation and conspiracy theories on social media regarding the authenticity of Archie and his younger sister, Lilibet.
Some even insinuated that Archie could be a substitute baby borrowed for photo opportunities.
Fueling the controversy further, a YouTube video titled “Megan Markle’s Fake Baby Expose” on the Daily Empress channel garnered significant attention, suggesting that Archie might not be a real infant but rather a lifelike doll.
The video pointed out features of Archie that resembled those of a doll, raising doubts about his authenticity.
Critics pointed out that Archie appeared unusually still in Prince Harry’s arms during the public introduction, leading to suspicions that he might not be a living baby.
Comparisons were drawn between the video of another couple introducing their newborn, where the infant displayed typical movements and sounds, contrasting with Archie’s seemingly motionless demeanor.
Observers noted that infants are usually active and vocal, unlike Archie, who appeared inert during the public appearance.