Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son, Prince Archie, is celebrating his fifth birthday today and is likely to mark the occasion surrounded by school friends at home.
Over the years, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arranged simple celebrations at home and last year Meghan baked a lemon cake for Archie using fruit from their garden. When Archie turned four, some drama erupted in Montecito, where the Sussexes live, after a shop gave the couple a free bike for their son as a birthday gift.
The owner of the bike shop Mad Dogs & Englishmen hand-delivered the gift to the Sussexes and then shared a thank-you note Harry and Meghan sent on Instagram. Harry and Meghan thanked the shop owners saying the bike “brought much joy” and was “most appreciated” by the family.
The note, sent on behalf of Harry and Meghan, was described as a “lovely and very kind gesture” – but some people criticised both the store and the Sussexes. It read: “Dear Martin and Jennifer, on behalf of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, please accept their sincere thanks for the thoughtful gift you sent to Prince Archie for his fourth birthday.
The bike has brought much joy, and is most appreciated by the family. They asked that I convey their gratitude at the lovely surprise.” Many people commented on the post with one writing: “Enjoy your gift little Prince.” One more praised the shop for Archie’s gift, saying: “Very kind and thoughtful gift.” Someone else commented: “Cute!!!”
But some people criticised the store, saying it could have donated a bike to disadvantages children, and others blasted the Sussexes for sending a note through their secretary rather than writing it themselves. A person wrote: “How lovely. Just a shame they didn’t sign the letter themselves.” Another added: “Couldn’t even write it themselves hmm? Wow! While it’s thoughtful to commission the note at all, this man went through a lot of trouble to “hand deliver ” probably a free bike to them …!”
Despite widespread criticism, many people defended the bike shop with one saying said the “bullying” it was receiving was “absolutely insane and unfair”, adding: “The owner gives to whoever he wants to and nobody has the right to tell him what to do.” One more wrote: “Please ignore the haters. You all did a sweet gesture and sane, kind people all over the work appreciate you. Those hating on you and the Sussexes are living miserable unfulfilled lives and need to be pitied.”
This year, Archie is likely to enjoy a quiet, private party at home with some simple games, a cake, and ice cream. Royal expert Tom Quinn said Blind Man’s Bluff could be one of the games for the party, which is likely to be attended by his friends from school, his grandmother Doria Ragland, and some celebrities who live in the Montecito area.
