The arrival of Prince Archie, the first child of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, has stirred up quite the controversy, particularly among royal watchers and photographers.

Breaking from a long-held royal custom, the Sussexes decided against the traditional photo opportunity outside Portland Hospital in London after Archie’s birth on May 6, 2019.

Instead, it took two full days before the world got its first glimpse of the royal baby during a photo call at St George’s Hall in Windsor Castle.

In a revealing interview with The Sun’s Royal Exclusive, renowned British photographer Arthur Edwards shared his thoughts on the Sussexes’ handling of Archie’s birth.

Edwards, who has spent over a decade capturing royal moments, criticized the couple for what he described as a carefully orchestrated event that prioritized their preferences over established traditions.

He remarked, “The whole thing was just stage-managed to suit them,” pointing to a departure from the postpartum practices believed to have originated with Princess Anne in the 1980s.

Edwards further expressed frustration over the misinformation that surrounded the birth.

He quipped, “Harry’s baby Archie was almost teething before we found out he was born.” His sarcasm highlighted the confusion around the timeline of events, claiming that the press was misled about when Markle went into labor.

According to him, they were led to believe that she had gone into labor at 2 PM, despite the baby having been born hours earlier.

Originally, Markle had intended to deliver Archie at their then-home, Frogmore Cottage, with an all-female midwife team.

However, when the baby was a week overdue, medical professionals advised her to seek a hospital delivery instead.

This shift in plans added another layer to the narrative surrounding Archie’s entry into the world.

As if the royal drama wasn’t enough, social media has exploded with wild theories suggesting that both Archie and his sister, Lilibet, might not even be real.

Some internet users have speculated that other mothers are lending their children for staged photo opportunities.

A YouTube video titled “Megan Markle’s Fake Baby Exposed” has gained traction, claiming that Archie resembles a lifelike doll, which has sparked heated debates online.

The video, which has racked up over 77,000 views, presents arguments suggesting that baby Archie’s features are eerily doll-like.

Observers have noted how, during the initial photo-op, Archie appeared motionless in Prince Harry’s arms, leading some to conclude that he might be a fake baby.

This theory gained momentum as viewers pointed out that Harry seemed to hold Archie tightly, while Meghan positioned herself in a way that obscured the baby’s face from the camera.

In contrast, many royal fans have pointed out the stark differences between the way the Wales family introduced their newborns and how the Sussexes handled Archie’s debut.

The Wales children appeared lively and active, with relaxed parents showcasing their joy.

In comparison, Archie seemed unusually still, prompting questions about the authenticity of the moment.

Compounding the speculation, some eagle-eyed observers recalled Harry’s comments during an interview, where he suggested that babies change rapidly, making it hard to determine resemblance early on.

This statement was interpreted by some as a slip-up that hinted Archie may have been older than initially claimed at the time of his introduction.

The cloud of mystery surrounding Archie’s birth continues to captivate the public’s imagination.