On Wednesday, just hours after the new royal baby’s introduction to the world, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that Baby Sussex had a name – Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor!
The name came as a surprise to many, with more traditional names such as Alexander, James, Arthur and Albert being frontrunners among bookmakers.
Adorable little Archie Harrison. (Image: Dominic Lipinski / PA / AAP)
Speaking to the BBC, managing editor of Majesty royal magazine Joe Little said, “I don’t think anyone among us saw either of those names coming.”
And as far as he’s aware, Archie does not have any British royal connections – Harrison is also a new name for the royal family.
However, the name has us thinking back to earlier this year when it was revealed that little Archie’s cousin, Prince George, had a seriously cute nickname for himself, and yes you guessed it – it was Archie!
While visiting his maternal grandmother, Carole Middleton, the young royal bumped into a dog-walker in the park, and she asked him what his name was (knowing full well who he really was), Prince George reportedly told her his name was “Archie”.
Master Archie may only be a few days old, but it looks like he’ll already have something to bond over with his cousin.
Little Archie’s parents The Duke and Duchess of Sussex dotes over him. (Image: Dominic Lipinski / PA / Getty)
The name Archie was originally a shortened version of the name Archibald, which means ‘genuine’, ‘bold’ and ‘brave’ and has been a popular boy’s name in the UK for more than a decade.
Harrison on the other hand, originally came about as a surname, meaning ‘son of Harry’ – so incredibly fitting if you ask us!
And while many people had thought the young royal might be bestowed the title of Earl of Dumbarton, it would seem Meghan and Harry chose to forego the royal title, using the surname Mountbatten-Windsor, which is the surname given to all descendants of The Queen and Prince Philip who do not have royal titles.
A royal source confirmed to People that little Archie will not be given a courtesy title at this time – he’ll instead be known as Master Archie.
It’s not the first time descendants of the Queen have chosen to forego royal titles, the Queen’s only daughter, Anne, Princess Royal, chose to not give her two children Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall a royal title, which Zara has said she is incredibly grateful for.
The proud parents can’t keep the smiles off their faces. (Image: Dominic Lipinski / PA / AAP)
Little Archie’s name was announced to the world on the Sussex Royal Instagram account, shared alongside a heartwarming image of Meghan holding Archie, surrounded by The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Harry, and her mother Doria Ragland.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pleased to announce they have named their first born child: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor,” the post began.
“This afternoon Their Royal Highnesses introduced Her Majesty The Queen to her eight great-grandchild at Windsor Castle.
“The Duke of Edinburgh and The Duchess’ mother were also present for this special occasion.”
The announcement came just hours after Master Archie made his world debut on Wednesday, carried into St George’s Hall by his beaming father, Prince Harry, with his radiant mother Meghan, by his side.
When asked who the baby resembled the most out of the two of them, Harry said: “Everyone says that babies change so much over two weeks.
“We’re basically monitoring how the changing process happens over this next month really. But his looks are changing every single day, so who knows.”
Meghan gave birth to little Archie on May 6 at 5.26am at Portland Hospital, with Prince Harry by her side.
The happy news was also announced via their official Instagram account and Prince Harry fronted the media outside Windsor, excitedly announcing the birth of his first child.
Watch his adorable announcement below.
