Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, revealed her son Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor’s growing interest in photography during a recent Q&A session. This event took place in Montecito, California, following a screening of Netflix’s short film “The After” on November 15. The Duchess shared insights into her family’s life, particularly highlighting her four-and-a-half-year-old son’s newfound passion for photography.
Prince Archie’s interest in photography was sparked by the influence of family friend and photographer Misan Harriman. During Harriman’s last visit to the family, he introduced Archie to the art of photography, leading to the young prince’s growing fascination with cameras.
As a result, Meghan Markle purchased a camera for Archie, but the young prince expressed a specific interest in a Leica camera, akin to the one used by Harriman. Leica cameras, known for their quality and craftsmanship, are priced in the thousands, making them a significant investment.
Meghan Markle humorously recounted how she told her son, “You are not getting a Leica! Not even for Christmas.” This response underlines the Duchess’ decision to refrain from indulging her son’s request for such an expensive item at his young age. Despite Archie’s keen interest, the Duchess deemed a professional-grade Leica camera to be beyond what they would consider a suitable gift for a child.
The revelation of Archie’s photographic interest and his request for a Leica camera come against the backdrop of his father, Prince Harry’s well-documented aversion to cameras and paparazzi. This contrast adds a layer of intrigue to Archie’s newfound hobby.
While Meghan did not specify the type of camera she bought for Archie, it is understood that it was a more reasonably priced option suitable for a child learning photography.
Archie’s interest in photography and his specific wish for a Leica camera were discussed in various news sources. It was also mentioned that the Mountbatten-Windsor family has been creating their own holiday traditions since moving to California. They have not celebrated Christmas with the British royal family since 2018, indicating a shift in their personal and public lives following their move to the United States.
Previously, for Archie’s birthday, he received a variety of gifts from family and friends, including a Tiffany bubble blower and a red bike. However, for Christmas 2020, Harry and Meghan chose not to give Archie gifts, instead donating money to a charity for making wool hats for families in need.