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Why Kate and William took 8 days before visiting baby Archie

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Updated on May 14, 2019

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A royal representative confirmed to People magazine that Kate Middleton and Prince William saw Baby Archie for the first time today, May 14.

The royal couple saw Archie on Tuesday, little over a week after he was born on May 6.

The visit came after Harry returned from a day of engagements with youngsters in Oxford, where he discussed being a new parent and how he can’t fathom life without his son.

Kate had royal engagements earlier in the day: She went to a secret WWII intelligence facility in Bletchley Park.

“The visit took place after Harry returned from a day of engagements in Oxford,” royal reporter Victoria Murphy tweeted today. Rebecca English, a royal reporter, noted that William and Kate’s children were not there for the Archie meeting, “so it will be a little while yet before George, Charlotte and Louis meet their new cousin.”

Will and Kate’s rationale for delaying Archie’s visit by a week was not sinister. Rather, royals expert Omid Scobie revealed on Good Morning America that Markle and Prince Harry wanted their baby’s first week to remain relatively quiet. This week, though, is all about guests, with Prince Charles scheduled to visit Frogmore Cottage on Thursday.

The family’s packed schedule in the previous week and over the weekend contributed to the delay in seeing Archie. Kate and William’s program included the start of the King’s Cup race on Tuesday and a trip to North Wales on Wednesday. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Harry went to the Netherlands.

“We’re absolutely thrilled,” the Duke of Cambridge said of Baby Sussex’s birth last week. “We’re looking forward to seeing them in the next few days. I’m very pleased and glad to welcome my brother to the sleep-deprivation society that is parenting.”

Middleton also spoke with media beside Prince William, saying, “It’s such a special time, and with Louis and Charlotte just having had their birthdays, it’s such a great time of the year to have a baby. Spring’s in the air and everything, so it’s pretty great.”

Archie, who is seventh in line to the throne, first saw his great-grandparents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, before meeting his aunt and uncle. A historic royal photograph captured the family occasion, which featured Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland.

The royal family issued a joint statement last Monday, stating they were “delighted with the news” of the Sussexes’ baby’s birth.

Archie was formally welcomed by Markle and Prince Harry early Monday morning, May 6. “It’s been great. Parenting is amazing,” the Duke of Sussex said at a photo call on May 8. “We are just so thrilled to have our own bundle of joy and to be able to spend some precious time as he slowly starts to grow up.” Markle echoed his sentiment, saying, “It’s magic. It’s pretty amazing. I have the best two guys in the world, so I’m really happy.”

Other members of the royal family learned of Harry’s baby’s birth through WhatsApp. Mike Tindall, Harry’s cousin Zara’s husband, told the Daily Telegraph that he learned about Archie via the family’s group chat.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been enjoying Archie’s first days after his birth.