In the early morning hours on Monday, the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry welcomed their first-born child, a baby boy named Archie.
Not just England celebrated these news, but also in nearby View Park-Windsor Hills, the South Los Angeles neighborhood where the former Meghan Markle and her mother, Doiria Ragland, once resided. The predominately Black neighborhood is actually one of L.A.’s well kept secrets. Tall palm trees, a low crime rate, and affordable, single family homes, this area is also often called the Black Beverly Hills. Although the retired actress was born in raised in Canoga Park and grew up in Hollywood, her roots are in South L.A.
The Dutchess of Sussex has often spoken proudly about her mixed-race heritage, her father being White and of German, Irish, and English descent, and her mother being African-American with roots in the deep South. She eventually traded the California sun, for the cooler Canadian climate while she filmed the show “Suits,” but always mentioned that she was an “L.A. Girl.”
The newest member of the royal family was born at 5:26 a.m. and weighs seven pounds, three ounces. He is the first biracial baby in the royal household.
The Duke of Sussex spoke to reporters shortly after the birth:
“How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension, but we’re both absolutely thrilled and so grateful for all the love and support from everybody out there.
“I’m so incredibly proud of my wife. As every father and parent would say, your baby is absolutely amazing. But this little thing is absolutely to die for, so I’m just over the moon.”
With the marriage of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry last year, the Royal Family demonstrated itself to be more open minded both politically and socially. The union may have been unthinkable in the past, but has now become acceptable, which is an achievement in current times. It was a statement not just to the United Kingdom – but globally.
