Was the royal baby name inspired by a New Zealand boy? How the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's moniker was hinted at as far back as OCTOBER
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have been inspired by a New Zealand boy
- Their name choice, Archie, was one they heard in Auckland in 2018
- Prince Harry said to the little boy that he 'liked' Archie as a name
- Archie was not the favourite, but it has become an increasingly popular name
The royal rumour mill has gone into overdrive amid speculation that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's baby name might have been inspired by a New Zealand boy.
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced that their son would be called Archie, an Auckland-based family were left wondering whether it had anything to do with them.
The first hint of Archie's name came back as far as October, when Prince Harry was in New Zealand for the royal tour and met a young boy at the viaduct in Auckland.
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The royal rumour mill has gone into overdrive amid speculation that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's baby name (pictured with Archie on Wednesday) might have been inspired by a New Zealand boy
The first hint of Archie's name (pictured) came back as far as October, when Prince Harry was in New Zealand for the royal tour and met a young boy at the viaduct in Auckland
As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex met crowds at the viaduct, the Somerville-Ryan family were one who stood out from the crowd when they gave the Duke a Kiwi book called 'Little Gems'.
Prince Harry then asked one of the boys in the family his name.
When Archie Somerville-Ryan told him his, Prince Harry reportedly said: 'Archie, I like that name', before he then called his wife over to tell her the name too.
'He said "I like that name" or something like that [to Meghan],' Archie told Newshub.
As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex met crowds at the viaduct, the Somerville-Ryan family were one who stood out from the crowd when they gave the Duke a Kiwi book called 'Little Gems' (pictured: Archie Somerville-Ryan)
When Archie Somerville-Ryan told him his, Prince Harry reportedly said: 'Archie, I like that name', before he then called his wife over to tell her the name too (pictured: Archie's family with the royals)
Archie's mother Emily Somerville-Ryan said: 'My friend Bridget said "oh my goodness he was so into Archie - he's definitely going to call the baby Archie", and I thought what?' (pictured: Archie with Prince Harry in Auckland)
Speaking to the publication , Archie's mother Emily Somerville-Ryan said: 'My friend Bridget said "oh my goodness he was so into Archie - he's definitely going to call the baby Archie", and I thought what?'.
Archie was not the favourite moniker for the Duke and Duchess to go with.
Many in Britain had expected a more traditional royal name, with bookies favouring James, Arthur, and Edward, with Archie sitting at around 100/1.
The couple did not disclose why they had chosen the names but Archie is an increasingly popular name in Britain.
It was among top 20 most common boy's names in 2017, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Many in Britain had expected a more traditional royal name for the royal baby (pictured with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex), with bookies favouring James, Arthur, and Edward, with Archie sitting at around 100/1
Prince Harry joked about his newborn son on Wednesday, when he said he already has some resemblance to himself (pictured: Prince Harry with the Somerville-Ryans)
Prince Harry joked about his newborn son on Wednesday, when he said he already has some resemblance to himself.
He's already got a little bit of facial hair as well, wonderful.'
As her husband held their son, Meghan said: 'He has the sweetest temperament, he's really calm.'
Prince Harry replied: 'I don't know who he gets that from,' before sharing a knowing smirk with his wife.
Their baby boy will not have a royal title like Kate and Williams' children, Prince George, five, Princess Charlotte, four, and Prince Louis, one, but will be known simply as Master Archie after George V limited titles within the family during the First World War.
Archie is seventh in line to the throne.
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