Meghan Markle 'fears' extravagant presents from King Charles will impact Prince Archie
King Charles is 'disappointed' with the lack of relationship he has with Archie and Lilibet...
Meghan Markle reportedly has concerns that King Charles’ attempts to spoil his grandson Prince Archie with lavish gifts could deepen the six-year-old’s fascination with his royal roots, something she is said to be keen to avoid.
According to royal expert and author Tom Quinn, the Duchess of Sussex fears that Britain could become a “longed-for fantasy” for Archie as he grows up in Montecito, far removed from his UK heritage.
Archie was born in the UK in 2019. However, he has spent the majority of his young life in California after Prince Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
Insiders say Meghan is wary of allowing Britain to become too romanticised in Archie’s eyes.
Meghan Markle’s fears that King Charles’ gifts could affect Prince Archie
Tom Quinn claimed Meghan has discouraged King Charles from sending Archie lavish gifts, fearing it could encourage an idealised vision of the monarchy.
“Archie loves the idea that his grandad lives in a castle,” Tom told The Mirror last year.
“Meghan was worried that a magnificent shepherd’s hut or similar extravagant present will only increase Archie’s growing interest in his royal connections. She doesn’t want Britain to become a longed-for fantasy for her son. She had been pushing Harry to insist that his father gets Archie a simple present.”
Though it’s unclear whether King Charles, 76, sent gifts to Archie or Princess Lilibet this year, the expert believes Meghan has actively discouraged anything too indulgent.
But according to Tom, the king is reportedly eager to forge a stronger bond with his grandchildren.
“Charles is desperate to show he cares and wants to be an indulgent grandparent. Partly because he has mellowed over the years and wants to make up for what he sees as his neglect of his own sons.”
He added how the monarch hasn’t seen Archie since 2022, and the tot “really misses him”.
He is apparently desperate to come to the UK with his father, but Meghan and Harry “don’t want to encourage this.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children haven’t been back to the UK in a while
The Sussex children have not returned to the UK since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022.
After stepping down from their roles as senior working royals, the couple lost their UK taxpayer-funded police protection, something Prince Harry unsuccessfully tried to legally challenge.
In a May 2024 interview with the BBC following his unsuccessful court appeal, Harry stated: “I can’t see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point.”
As a result, Archie and Lilibet have missed significant opportunities to bond with their UK-based relatives.
Although Archie and Lilibet hold royal titles, their parents have opted to raise them as private citizens in America, for now. Reports suggest Harry and Meghan want them to choose whether or not to embrace royal life when they’re older.
But for now, Meghan’s focus appears to be on ensuring Archie’s connection to the monarchy doesn’t overshadow his upbringing in California.
Read more: King Charles rushes to console teenager after they pass out during Kirkcaldy visit
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