The Reason Archie Isn't Coming To The U.K. With Harry And Meghan

Considering the fact that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will officially be stepping back from their royal duties at the end of March, it's safe to say that there are quite a few changes on the horizon for the couple. That includes helping baby Archie Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor adjust to his new lifestyle. 

As the two soon-to-be free parents tie up loose ends in the United Kingdom and embark on a farewell tour prior to upcoming changes in their duties, their son will be tucked away from the limelight in North America, The Times reports. That's right, the youngest member of the family won't be joining the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they reunite with the rest of the extended royal family, including Queen Elizabeth and Harry's older brother, Prince William. Little Archie will reportedly remain in Canada, where the couple is expected to soon settle into their new life independent from the Royal Family.

There are various reasons why baby Archie could be staying in Canada while Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend events in the U.K. According to The Express, the couple could be trying to keep their precious one away from the paparazzi. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are protective of Archie's privacy, and pressure from the press is one of the reasons they decided to take a step back from royal life in the first place. 

"Unfortunately, my wife has become one of the latest victims of a British tabloid press that wages campaigns against individuals with no thought to the consequences — a ruthless campaign that has escalated over the past year, throughout her pregnancy and while raising our newborn son," Prince Harry wrote in a statement prior to their announcement about parting ways with royal life. "Though we have continued to put on a brave face — as so many of you can relate to — I cannot begin to describe how painful it has been."

Another potential reason U.K. fans won't be getting an Archie sighting could be the growing threat of the coronavirus. According to The Express, cases have been confirmed in the United Kingdom and Canada, including cases in British Columbia, where Archie is reportedly staying. Considering mounting fears about travel restrictions and the grounding of some flights, the spreading disease could be yet another reason while Meghan and Harry decided not to exclude Archie from the itinerary.

According to The Times, Archie's absence is disappointing for the royal family, and Queen Elizabeth is reportedly "very sad" that the youngest member of the family won't make it back to the United Kingdom for a visit. It's apparently been quite some time since the queen has seen her great-grandson. Archie's absence means he'll miss out on family time with his cousins Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte as well. According to the Observer, he's had "minimal contact" with Prince William and Kate Middleton's brood. 

In fact, Archie hasn't been to the U.K. since the fall of 2019. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry reportedly took him to Canada in November 2019 in advance of their big announcement about leaving royal life. According to the Daily Mail, "It is believed that Archie, who has yet to set foot on UK soil this year, will remain with the Sussexes' nanny, and with Meghan's friend Jessica Mulroney."

According to reports by The Sun, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to leave Archie in Canada wasn't exactly easy on the wallet. The decision allegedly cost the couple £50,000 and adds to the Duke and Duchess' ever-increasing security bill.

"It's an expensive time just when the costs of looking after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are under scrutiny," an insider told The Sun. The tab reported that the "couple's team of about six royal protection officers cost taxpayers £600,000. This goes on salaries, overtime, overseas allowance, pensions, flights and accommodation." 

Canadian police reportedly plan to stop assisting with Meghan and Harry's security after March 31, 2020, when the couple steps down as senior royals. After that, the responsibility will apparently rest solely with U.K. police. "Next week will demonstrate the colossal challenges and sums involved when Harry and Meghan are in London needing security just as much as Archie," an unnamed source told The Sun. "It's as much as another £50,000 to what's already being run up. But none of that will matter to senior royals who are despondent at not seeing the baby for so long."

Hey, if we all had babies as cute as Archie, we'd spare no expense to keep him safe and happy as well.