Meghan Markle Is Having ‘Small Gathering’ for Archie’s 4th Birthday in Montecito on Coronation Day

King Charles’ coronation ceremony just finished, but another royal will have a celebration today too. Entertainment Tonight and royal reporter Carolyn Durand report that Meghan Markle is indeed having a birthday party in Montecito, California, for her and Prince Harry’s oldest son Archie, who turns four today. “Prince Archie’s birthday will be a small gathering with friends & family in Montecito,” Durand tweeted, adding that Harry arrived in the UK on Friday, May 5, and is leaving today.

Royal reporter Omid Scobie, who co-wrote Meghan and Harry biography Finding Freedom with Durand, told Entertainment Tonight about Meghan’s party plans too. “While Prince Harry joins the pump and the pageantry over here, it’s going to be a much quieter occasion for Meghan over in California, who will be bringing together some of her closest friends and family for birthday celebrations for Archie,” Scobie said.

A source spoke to People about the birthday plans as well on April 21. “It’s going to be a low-key party at home,” the source shared. “They’ll have friends around them and Meghan’s mom, Doria [Ragland]. Meghan will definitely have support that weekend.”

The source added that Archie adores his little sister Lilibet, who is one. “They are so sweet together. Archie loves Lili,” the source said. “He’s such a sweet boy. When she’s not around, he asks, ‘Where’s Lili?’”

Meghan didn’t only skip the coronation for Archie’s birthday. She also wanted to minimize drama and not take attention away from Charles.

Scobie told ITV’s This Morning on Wednesday, “People around the Sussexes guided press at the time that this was very much about Archie’s fourth birthday. I disagree with that to some extent because I also know from friends of hers that she’s protecting her peace as well. She is aware of how much of the spotlight goes on her when she sets even a foot near the story. And I think a lot of that, although it’s often portrayed as intentional that she wants to steal the spotlight, but in this case, [if] she had simply come over and stood next to her husband, I would imagine the commentary and the narrative on the day would be very different for the days to follow.”

He also shared that Harry plans to return home swiftly. “Sources close to Harry say that it’s in and out, to attend the ceremony and do what’s asked of him,” Scobie said. “I believe that he’s open to the fact that if something’s asked of him on the day then that could change things, but the timing of the trip, he’s keen to be back in California with his own family as well. It’s sort of juggling the two families, really.”

Harry was photographed getting into his car after the ceremony.

A lip-reader told Hello! that Harry appeared to confirm his travel plans while speaking to his cousin Princess Eugenie’s husband Jack Brooksbank at the coronation. “I will be straight to the airport,” Harry seemed to tell him, per the lip-reader.

Senior News and Strategy Editor

Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she’s not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.