Inside Archie’s ‘low-key’ birthday party from homemade cake to celeb guests as Meghan Markle ‘wanted to minimise drama’
PRINCE Archie had a “low-key” birthday party while his father Harry rushed back to LA after King Charles’ coronation, insiders claim.
The Duchess of Sussex, 41, threw a “private celebration” to mark her son turning four while Harry, 38, attended the historical event.
While the duke watched his father be crowned king, Meghan reportedly hosted a small group of friends and family at their Montecito mansion.
According to sources close to the Sussexes, Archie was treated to a lemon birthday cake, baked by the duchess using fruit from their garden.
It is not known exactly who attended the party – but it’s thought some of the pair’s celeb neighbours may have attended.
When asked about the guestlist, the source told the Mail on Sunday: “Some of their friends are celebrities, so yes, that’s likely.
“It will be a small intimate gathering.”
Their current neighbours include Hollywood A-listers Oprah Winfrey, who the couple spoke to in a bombshell interview, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ellen DeGeneres.
Despite missing the party, Harry did arrive back in the US in time to see his son on his birthday after rushing home from London.
The duke arrived at Los Angeles International Airport at around 7.30pm local time – 3.30am UK – after spending just 28 hours in the UK.
Harry left behind his father and other royals at London’s Westminster Abbey at around 1.15pm.
He hopped into a blacked-out electric BMW and was whizzed 20 miles to Heathrow, arriving by police convoy around 2.05pm.
The source explained: “He was always determined to get back in time to spend part of Archie’s birthday at home.
“Harry was determined to be back in time to tuck Archie into bed.”
They also revealed why Meghan decided not to make the trip across the pond.
The source claims Meghan “stayed home to celebrate Archie’s birthday because she felt it would be inauthentic to do anything else”.
They added: “She wanted to minimise the drama.”
Lisa Gaché, who teaches children’s etiquette classes in Montecito, believes the party was miles away from the Britishness of the coronation.
She told The Telegraph: “I would lean into something all-American.
“They have embraced being here – the party should reflect that.
“It’s also the perfect time of year for a fair with hot dogs and picnic tables. Things that feel very celebratory of their new life, not their old one.”
Yesterday Prince Harry arrived at the coronation ceremony separately from his brother William.
The Duke was accompanied to the ceremony by Princess Beatrice’s hubby Edo Mapelli Mozzi.
He then took a seat in the third row of Royals, next to Princess Eugenie’s husband Jack Brooksbank.
On his other side was Princess Alexandra, 86 — Queen Elizabeth’s cousin.
Harry smiled and appeared happy throughout the two-hour ceremony, before making a swift exit as the King and Queen clambered into the Gold State Coach.
The Sun has contacted the Sussexes’ team for comment.