Cape Town - His parents have zealously guarded his privacy since he was born in May.
But on Wednesday Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor went public with his first official engagement as ‘Arch met Arch’.
Archie, bearing an uncanny resemblance to his father Prince Harry at the same age, was kissed on the forehead by one of the heroes of the anti-apartheid movement, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 87. The Nobel Prize winner looked delighted as Harry, 35, introduced his son, saying: "Arch, meet Arch".
The cleric, who prefers to be known by the nickname, was joined by his daughter who branded Archie a "ladies’ man". Meghan also revealed her nickname for her son as she cooed: "Oh Bubba!" They met at the base for the archbishop’s legacy foundation in Cape Town, a restored 200-year-old granary built by slaves.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with their baby Archie, share a moment with Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu in Cape Town. Picture: Henk Kruger African News Agency (ANA)
Harry, Meghan and Archie could not hide their excitement. Harry said: "You’re going to meet Arch! You’re going to meet Arch!" as his four-month-old son squealed in excitement.
Meghan, wearing a £350 (about R6 500) blue print Club Monaco dress and heels, held Archie in her arms and made little clucking sounds. Archie, who has the barest sprinkling of downy blond hair, was dressed in striped blue and white dungarees.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with their baby Archie, met Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah in Cape Town. Picture: Henk Kruger African News Agency (ANA)
Archbishop Tutu was charmed by the seventh in line to the throne. Meghan joked with the Archbishop’s daughter, Thandeka Tutu Gxashe, that Archie would have to get used to cameras in his life and added: "He’s an old soul."
Thandeka quipped that the youngest royal would be a "ladies man" in future, telling him: "You like the ladies". Meghan said proudly: "He likes to flirt!"
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan with baby Archie during a visit to Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah in Cape Town. Picture: Henk Kruger African News Agency (ANA)
It marked Archie’s third public appearance. Previously he was seen arriving in South Africa on Monday and at a charity polo match in July. Meghan, 38, later met female entrepreneurs and visited an Aids charity as her husband flew off on his own for a five-day trip across southern Africa.