When Meghan Markle and The Artist Formerly Known As Prince Harry (it’s just Harry nowfolks) made their last official UK appearance as senior royals last week, they did so alone, leaving baby Archie in Canada. And, as ever, Meghan and Harry were condemned for the decision.
Speaking on Nine Newsin Australia, Dickie Arbiter - Queen Elizabeth’s press spokesperson from 1988 until 2000 - criticised the couple for the choice, calling them ‘inconsiderate’ and ‘spiteful’ and said there ‘isn’t an excuse’ for the Sussex’s ‘not bringing’ their only son overseas.
‘It would be a great pity if he’s not brought over because he’s not seen his great grandparents, the Queen and Prince Philip, or his granddad [Prince Charles], since last year, and I think it would be such a shame if they don’t get a chance to see him,’ he said.
‘I believe that they should bring him, and I’m sorry, there isn’t an excuse for not bringing him. After all, he’s got to meet his family, his family are not going to get a chance to see him for some time because Harry and Meghan are going to be in Canada or the United States, wherever they decide to choose and make base,’ he continued.
But many others also came to the royal couple’s defence, saying the decision made sense - in the midst of a coronavirus outbreak, taking a 10-month-old baby on an international flight just doesn’t seem right, no matter who is doing the travelling.
And now it has been confirmed that keeping baby Archie safe was indeed the motivation behind Meghan and Harry’s decision.
The Telegraphreports that, before the Commonwealth Service they attended on Monday March 9, Meghan had a meeting with 23 young scholars at Buckingham Palace where they discussed public health and COVID-19, which then led to Meghan answering about Archie’s absence.
‘The decision to leave Archie behind in Canada came not out of petty spite, as reported in some areas,’ Telegraph columnist Bryony Gordon - who attended the meeting - wrote, ‘but out of concern for his health during the threat of a global pandemic.’
A more than reasonable decision in our opinion.
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