In a surprising turn of events, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, also known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have declined a request from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) to name a firefighting aircraft after their son, Archie.
The RFS had hoped to pay tribute to the royal couple’s visit to Australia in 2018 by naming a large air tanker, LAAT, after their son.
However, the request was met with a polite refusal from the then-royals.
During their visit to Sydney in 2018, Harry and Meghan announced that they were expecting their first child.
This news was met with excitement and anticipation, leading the RFS to consider naming a plane after the young prince.
Officials reached out to Harry and Meghan, hoping to honor their son and potentially have him visit Australia to see the plane named after him.
Unfortunately, the request was turned down by the royal couple.
In their response, they thanked the NSW government for the offer but explained that their son had not yet entered public life, as reported by the Sunday Telegraph.
It seems that Harry and Meghan wanted to protect their son’s privacy and keep him out of the public eye, even when it came to such an honorable gesture.
This decision comes as a surprise to many, especially considering that Harry and Meghan recently announced that their charity, Archewell, would be named after their son.
It raises questions about their reasoning behind refusing the RFS’s request.
Some speculate that Meghan may have wanted the plane to be named after herself instead, while others believe that she may have thought the honor was beneath her son.
Ultimately, the firefighting plane was named after former NSW Governor Marie Bashir, who served between 2001 and 2014.
At the unveiling, she expressed her gratitude for the honor and praised the hard work of the emergency service members in protecting the communities of NSW.
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan’s future plans remain uncertain.
There have been rumors of them considering a move away from their current home in Montecito, California, where they settled after stepping down from their royal duties.
Malibu has been mentioned as a potential destination, but concerns over security risks have been raised.
A security guard based in Beverly Hills warned that moving to Malibu would pose a greater risk for intruders and paparazzi, potentially compromising the privacy of Archie and his younger sister, Lilibet.
With the couple already having a high profile, a move to a more populated area could attract even more attention and scrutiny.
Additionally, the estrangement between Harry, Meghan, and their UK relatives raises questions about the children’s relationships with their extended family.
It seems that Archie and Lilibet have limited contact with their royal cousins and other relatives, aside from Meghan’s mother, Doria, and niece, Ashley.
As the couple considers their future endeavors, it is important for them to prioritize the well-being and privacy of their children.
Hopefully, any new projects they undertake will not involve public feuds or criticisms aimed at the royal family.
The focus should be on creating a stable and nurturing environment for Archie and Lilibet, away from the prying eyes of the media and the public.