The eldest son of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, is celebrating his fifth birthday today. Archie, who was bestowed with the title of prince upon his grandfather Charles III’s accession to the throne, is marking the occasion at the family’s residence in Santa Barbara.

Despite Archie’s milestone, there was a notable absence of birthday greetings from his British relatives, including Kate Middleton and Prince William, as well as King Charles III and his wife Camilla. This is understandable as Meghan and Harry relocated to the United States when Archie was just five months old, meaning he has yet to celebrate his birthday with his paternal relatives in the UK.

Rare glimpses of Archie were shared by the Sussexes in the Netflix documentary “Harry and Meghan,” capturing moments of the young prince’s life. These images, which include walks with his mother along the ocean near their Montecito home and playing a miniature piano, have sparked widespread interest online. Notably, Archie has inherited his father’s red hair, reminiscent of Prince Harry’s own childhood curls.

Meghan and Harry are committed to providing their children, including two-year-old daughter Lilibeth, with a happy and fulfilling life in sunny California. Archie is described as an active and curious child, often enjoying activities such as chasing seagulls on the beach and assisting his parents in the garden. He attends pre-school and is eagerly anticipating starting full-time education when he turns six. Additionally, Archie’s fondness for pretending to be a doctor with a toy stethoscope and his love for quesadillas highlight his playful nature.

The Sussexes have chosen to prioritize privacy for Archie and Lilibeth, opting out of the tradition of publicly sharing portraits of the children on their birthdays. This departure from royal protocol allows them to shield their children from the public eye and maintain a sense of normalcy in their upbringing. Archie’s birth was a momentous occasion, marked by the joy of his parents and the extended royal family. His arrival was celebrated with the release of intimate family photos, capturing precious moments with his parents and maternal grandmother, Doria Ragland.

Coincidentally, Archie’s birthday coincides with the first anniversary of his grandfather Charles III’s coronation. Despite the festivities surrounding the royal event, it has been a challenging year for the King as he battles cancer, underscoring the bittersweet nature of this milestone celebration.