Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were warned about Prince Archie’s future. (Image: Getty)
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been warned by an expert as they mark Prince Archie’s seventh birthday today. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s eldest child will undoubtedly be spoilt rotten today by his nearest and dearest in Montecito, California.

However, his birthday also highlights the big divide between his family and his royal relatives across the pond. Archie hasn’t seen the Royal Family in person in four years, despite being born in the UK in May 2019. And now an expert has issued a word of caution about how Archie’s complex background could affect him in the future, and what his parents should focus on as he develops his own identity.

Ilona Andrews, certified sleep consultant and founder of Sleeping Stars, a UK-based, family-owned baby clothing brand specialising in sleepwear, said Archie’s middle childhood years can be shaped by a “distinctive mix” of influences around him.

The Duke & Duchess Of Sussex Visit South Africa Prince Archie turns 7 today (Image: Getty)

She told the Daily Express: “Children like Prince Archie, who are growing up across different cultures, environments, and family dynamics, can be shaped by a distinctive mix of influences – especially as they move into middle childhood and begin developing a stronger sense of identity.

“From a sleep perspective, times of change – whether that’s a new environment, shifting routines, or changes in family structure – can have a real impact.

“Around age seven, many children become more aware of what’s happening around them and start working through more complex thoughts and emotions. That can show up at bedtime as difficulty winding down, increased worries, or more disrupted sleep.”

Andrews warned that in situations like this, “consistency matters even more”.

Prince Archie running in his garden in Montecito Prince Archie running in his garden in Montecito (Image: Instagram/@meghan)

She added that regular sleep and wake times, as well as similar bedtime routines, can help the brain register “safety” and, in turn, play a key factor in “emotional regulation and resilience”.

The sleeping expert explained: “When children are well-rested, they’re typically better able to handle change, manage big feelings, and build a secure sense of self, even if other areas of life feel complicated or in flux.

“Ultimately, strong, consistent sleep habits can act as an anchor – helping children feel steadier, supported, and more secure as they grow and start navigating bigger questions about who they are.”

The last time Archie visited the UK with his parents was in 2022, when the Sussexes all came to the UK to celebrate the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee.