Meghan Markle and Prince Harry celebrate Archie’s first birthday with new video

One-year-old is filmed sitting on Duchess of Sussex’s lap as she reads a children’s book

On Wednesday 6 May, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor celebrates his first birthday.

To mark the occasion, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released a video in which Meghan reads aloud to their one-year-old son.

In the video, which was shared on the official Instagram account for Save the Children UK, the duchess is sitting with Archie on her lap as she reads from the children’s book Duck! Rabbit!.

As Prince Harry films the interaction, Archie smiles and turns the pages of the book as his mother reads from the story and shows the pages to the camera.

It is believed the video was filmed in America where the Sussex family are currently residing in isolation during lockdown.

In the caption for the video, Save the Children UK thanked the duchess for taking part in the charity’s Save with Stories coronavirus appeal.

“As the world grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, children’s lives are being turned upside down,” the caption read.

“By donating to Save with Stories, you can support the most vulnerable families in the UK and around the world by helping to provide early learning packs, supermarket vouchers, essential household items and virus protection.”

At one point in the video, Archie appears upset as he looks at the book, before breaking out into a wide grin.

(Duke of Sussex/@SaveChildrenUK (Duke of Sussex/@SaveChildrenUK)

Meghan calls her son “Arch” before making duck noises, which are replicated by Prince Harry behind the camera.

As the duchess nears the end of the story, Archie picks up another book.

“Let’s finish this book first then we’ll have that book,” Meghan says, as Prince Harry chuckles.

Archie then decides to drop the second book on the floor, prompting his parents to laugh as he looks directly at the camera.

At the end of the story, the duke and duchess both cheer for their son as Meghan pulls him in close for a hug.

Several members of the royal family have wished Archie a happy birthday, including the Queen, Prince Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

“Happy Birthday to Archie Mountbatten-Windsor who is celebrating his 1st birthday today!” the royal family wrote on social media. “Archie is the Queen’s eighth great-grandchild.”

In the month leading up to Archie’s birthday, several fans of Meghan and Prince Harry organised a fundraiser to help raise money for four charitable organisations.

The campaign has since raised more than £40,000 for Children’s Aid in New York, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, Nourish in South Africa and WellChild in the UK.