It's hard to believe that more than a year has passed since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcomed their first child, Archie Harrison, into the world. The Sussexes are one happy family with their little one — even if we don't get to see them, or get updates on their kiddo as much as we'd like to now that they've stepped away from royal life and are living in California. But despite the privacy they now (rightfully) have, the Duke of Sussex has said plenty of things about his little boy, and how much he loves fatherhood, and he does nothing short of gush about how much Archie means to him.
Whether he's chatting on a video call, making a public appearance, or giving a speech, Harry has often found a way to slip Archie into the conversation, and it's pretty obvious that he's such a proud dad to this adorable little guy.
Here are all the times Harry has gushed over fatherhood, Archie, and everything that has to do with his little boy. It's only been a little over a year since he became a father, so there's no doubt in our minds that the older Archie gets, the stronger their bond will grow.
The list of positive things that Harry loves about Archie will just get longer and longer.
Being a Good Role Model
Harry is more than aware that Archie will be looking to him as a role model — as he said during a speech in 2019 at the Diana Award National Youth Mentoring Summit in London — and he wants to make sure he gives Archie something positive to look up to. "My son will always be watching what I do, mimicking my behavior, one day maybe even following in my footsteps," Harry said at the time, reports Us Weekly.
First Thoughts as a Father
While speaking to press immediately following the news that Archie had been born, Harry gushed over how proud he was of the Duchess of Sussex — and how much he loved Archie already. "I am so incredibly proud of my wife and as every father and parent would ever say, your baby is absolutely amazing, but this little thing is absolutely to die for, so I’m just over the moon," Harry said at the time.
First Days of Parenting
During Meghan and Harry's photo call at Windsor Castle, the first time they introduced Archie to the press and to the world, Harry made it clear that he was already in love with being a dad.
"Parenting is amazing. It's only been, what? Two and a half days, three days. But we're so thrilled to have our own little bundle of joy and spend some precious time as he slowly starts to grow up," he told the media, reports Us Weekly.
Archie's Firsts
During a speech Harry made in London in January, he shared that Archie was able to see snow for the first time while the family was in Canada, and it was a moment he wouldn't forget. "It has also been a privilege to meet so many of you, and to feel your excitement for our son Archie, who saw snow for the first time the other day and thought it was bloody brilliant," he said.
Creating a Better Environment for Archie
In a letter that Harry wrote about the extinction and environmental issues of African parks earlier this year, Harry admitted that he feels extra pressure to create a better tomorrow for his son, and other children who will get older and inherit the Earth as it is in the future.
He wrote:
"Since becoming a father, I feel the pressure is even greater to ensure we can give our children the future they deserve, a future that hasn't been taken from them and a future full of possibility and opportunity. I want us all to be able to tell our children that yes, we saw this coming, and with the determination and help from an extraordinary group of individuals, we did what was needed to restore these essential ecosystems."
Planning for the Future of Social Media
In an essay Harry wrote for Fast Company, Prince Harry admitted that he was concerned about the toll that social media takes on children now that he's a father. "If we are susceptible to the coercive forces in digital spaces, then we have to ask ourselves — what does this mean for our children? As a father, this is especially concerning to me," Harry mentioned.
Future Rugby Star
During a video call in August, Harry talked about playing rugby with Archie in the future — because it's one of those pastimes he can't wait to share with his own son. Not surprising, knowing how much Harry has always loved the sport. "What I need is a few mini rugby balls [so] that I can get Archie involved with the game," Harry said on the call.
Spending Quality Time
During the same call, Harry shared that he was really enjoying the quality time he was having with Archie in California, especially since they had a yard they could play in together. "I'm just unbelievably fortunate and grateful to have outdoor space and see my son be able to be outside, because I know so many people just haven't had that opportunity in the last five months," he said.
His First Priority
On the same call, Harry shared that Archie comes first in his life — not that we ever suspected any different. "Our little man is our No. 1 priority, but then our work after that is the second priority and we're doing everything we can in playing our part to make the world a better place," Harry revealed.
Proud of Archie's Achievements
When Harry and Meghan met Jay-Z and Beyoncé at the premiere of The Lion King, they talked about their kids, and of course, they made time to share how proud they were of Archie. He was only 2 months old at the time, but according to People, Harry was sure to tell Bey and Jay that Archie was already holding his own head up, and "not so little anymore."
Smart Cookie Archie
When Meghan and Harry met Archbishop Desmond Tutu during their trip to South Africa, Harry had to share how smart he thought his son was already, since he was always trying to stand up on his own — despite his young age. "I think he knows exactly what's going on," Harry said, according to Town & Country.
Life Is Complete
While talking to parents and patients at Oxford Children's Hospital shortly after Archie's birth, Harry opened up about how important his baby boy was to him already. "He said he's getting used to the baby and how Archie has fitted into family life," one of the parents, Amy Scullard, said, according to reporters on Twitter. "He said he just feels part of the family and he can’t imagine life without his son."
Witnessing Archie's Birth
In his conversation with reporters after Archie was born, Harry shared exactly how incredible he thought it was to watch his son be born — and to see what his wife was truly capable of doing to bring him into the world. "It's been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined," the prince said at the time.
His Main Focus
During their trip to South Africa, Meghan and Harry told Waves For Change co-founder Apish Tshetsha that the most important thing in their lives was being good parents to Archie. "Harry and Meghan talked about how the biggest thing for them is being great parents and role models for Archie," Tshetsha told Harper's Bazaar. "They said right now they are focusing on their child and raising him well. They're so excited to be here with him."
Archie Is a Good Traveler
During the same trip, Meghan and Harry had tea at the home of Shamiela Samodien in Cape Town, and Harry told the group about how good Archie had been on the plane over. "The prince said that Archie was a good little boy and slept on Meghan’s chest most of the time," Samodien's sister, Nazli Edross-Fakier, told Harper's Bazaar of the conversation during their visit.
