
The reason why Prince Harry reportedly missed his son’s birthday centers around a prominent event held in honor of his late mom, which clashed with Prince Archie’s special day.
Yesterday, May 6, 2025, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son, Prince Archie, turned six years old. Commemorating the milestone online, the birthday boy’s doting mom, Meghan Markle, took to Instagram to share a heartwarming snap of Archie.

Prince Archie with his parents, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, during their royal tour of South Africa in Cape Town on September 25, 2019. | Source: Getty Images
A golden sunset stretched across the ocean as Archie stood quietly, facing the horizon, his small frame silhouetted against a blaze of orange light. It was a serene, almost poetic moment.
There were no palace backdrops, no formal portraits — just a child in pajamas, basking in the glow of the setting sun, capturing the purity of a fleeting moment. The Instagram post carried with it a gentle power, telling a story of reflection, love, and the swift passage of time.
Alongside the striking photo, Meghan wrote a heartfelt caption that reads, “Our son. Our sun. Happy 6th birthday to Archie! Thank you for all of the love, prayers, and warm wishes for our sweet boy. He’s six! Where did the time go? (And for all of you who came to celebrate with us at his party last weekend, thank you for making his birthday so incredibly special ❤️).”
While Archie marked his sixth birthday in Montecito, California, with loved ones, one notable figure was reportedly away from home on Archie’s special day — his father, Prince Harry.
The Duke of Sussex was miles away in Las Vegas, lending his voice and presence to a cause close to his heart: Youth empowerment through The Diana Award’s new initiative, “Pledge to Invest.”
Launched on May 6, the same day Archie celebrated his birthday, “Pledge to Invest” aims to drive lasting support for the next generation of leaders by encouraging forward-thinking businesses to back youth development in meaningful, sustainable ways.
The initiative is the latest endeavor from The Diana Award, a charity created in memory of the late Princess of Wales, and one that continues to be supported by both of her sons.
While Harry’s absence from home on his son’s birthday was certainly noteworthy, it is not the first time the Duke of Sussex has missed Archie’s special day. On May 6, 2023, Harry attended the Coronation of his father, King Charles III, and Queen Camilla in London, England.

Prince Harry at the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey in London, England on May 6, 2023. | Source: Getty Images
At the launch, Harry joined Dr Tessy Ojo CBE, CEO of The Diana Award, for a thought-provoking discussion alongside two recipients of the prestigious Legacy Award — young changemakers, Sikander ‘Sonny’ Khan and Christina Williams, who embody Diana’s spirit and vision.
Also present was Paul Fipps, President of Global Customer Operations at ServiceNow, the host of the Knowledge 2025 event, where the conversation unfolded. The dialogue focused on how businesses can invest not just money but mentorship, platforms, and long-term opportunities into youth-led innovation and leadership.
Before stepping onto the stage, Harry and Dr Ojo sat down with over 20 influential executives, donors, and social impact leaders — including ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott — for a private roundtable.
The gathering was an opportunity to spark dialogue about actionable strategies that could bridge the gap between corporate power and grassroots potential.

Prince Harry and Dr Tessy Ojo onstage at the Global Mental Health Crisis Among Young People event in New York City on September 23, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Harry made his presence felt on a global stage through powerful words and a clear commitment to the next generation. Speaking at the launch, he shared deeply personal insights about the urgency of uplifting young voices — a mission that echoes the spirit of his late mother.
Reflecting on his involvement with The Diana Award, Harry spoke passionately about the profound impact of witnessing young people rise above adversity and turn their challenges into catalysts for change.

Legacy Award recipient Christina Williams looks on as Prince Harry speaks onstage. | Source: Getty Images
“That’s not just inspiring — it’s the kind of untapped potential we can’t afford to overlook,” he said. His remarks carried a pointed critique of existing systems, emphasizing that too many young individuals remain locked out of leadership pipelines because inclusive and accessible pathways simply haven’t been built.
Throughout the discussion, Harry continued to challenge outdated perceptions of youth, noting that today’s generation is already stepping into leadership, not waiting for permission.

Prince Harry speaking at the Global Mental Health Crisis Among Young People event. | Source: Getty Images
What makes them exceptional, he explained, isn’t just their emotional intelligence and social consciousness, but their rejection of the status quo. “If we’re serious about a better future, we need to stop underestimating them and start listening,” he urged.
In a moment of heartfelt recognition, the Duke turned to fellow panelists, Sikander and Christina, both young changemakers, and paid tribute to their leadership and values.

Christina Williams and Prince Harry. | Source: Getty Images
“There’s more empathy in this generation than I’ve ever seen before… It’s the empathy, the authenticity, the truth, the honesty and the fearlessness,” he marveled.
Acknowledging their courage to stand up for what’s right in their communities, Harry added, “That is what we need. We need fearless leadership. So I tip my hat to both of you and what you represent.”

Christina Williams, Prince Harry, and Dr Tessy Ojo CBE. | Source: Getty Images
Christina and Sikander also had their time to speak, addressing business leaders directly and speaking about the value of mentoring.
“Providing up skilling and education opportunities and workplace mobility isn’t an act of charity. It is in your benefit to do this now so you have a competent and capable generation to take on the torch from you in a few decades to run your companies [sic],” asserted Christina.
Sharing his own reflections, Sikander noted, “I want people to understand all of us have been in that position, where we’ve been young people looking for a chance, and then somebody gave us that chance.”
He continued, “It’s our responsibility to lift when we rise, and open doors for other people. And that’s something as a young person I’ve tried to do every single day – being that mentor for younger people and trying to create that ripple effect.”
The Diana Award stands as a living tribute to the late princess’s enduring belief that young people, given the right tools and encouragement, have the power to change the world.
The organization operates on a simple yet profound mission: To empower youth to lead transformative change. Through a combination of mentoring, anti-bullying programs, and changemaker initiatives, the organization works directly with young people across communities to unlock their potential, ignite social action, and create meaningful opportunities.
It’s not just about leadership in a conventional sense — it’s about nurturing confidence, empathy, and a belief in one’s own voice, especially among those who might otherwise be overlooked.
The charity doesn’t pursue this mission in isolation. Collaboration is key to its impact. By working alongside young leaders and supportive partners, The Diana Award creates pathways that are not only inclusive but also deeply responsive to the evolving challenges today’s youth face.
Whether it’s offering a timely conversation that sparks a shift in direction or building long-term mentorship programs, the organization’s reach is both wide and personal.
Behind the scenes, a passionate team works daily to turn Diana’s vision into action. Whether they’re out in communities engaging directly with youth, working with corporate allies, managing fundraising efforts, or celebrating the accomplishments of their young awardees, the team’s driving force remains the same — to ensure no young person is left behind.
The reflections Harry shared at the charity’s recent launch event were more than just composites of a speech, they were a call to action. Even on a day when he was physically far from Archie, Harry was undeniably close to the future his son will one day inherit.
Prior to Archie’s birthday and before the “Pledge to Invest” launch, Harry sat down for a telling interview with the BBC.

Prince Archie looking at roses, posted on April 28, 2025. | Source: Instagram/meghan
During the discussion, the Duke of Sussex offered rare insight into the ongoing personal and public struggles he faces as he continues to navigate life outside the royal institution. This includes the recent decision made concerning his legal battle over his security in the UK.

Prince Harry during his interview with the BBC, posted on May 2, 2025. | Source: YouTube/BBC News
Despite the distance — both literal and figurative — that now exists between him and the monarchy, Harry reiterated his unwavering commitment to public service and his charitable endeavors.
He affirmed that he will always support the causes and people that matter to him. Speaking with a tone of both resolve and regret, Harry expressed his sadness over the stark reality that he may never feel secure enough to bring his wife, Meghan, and their children, Archie and Princess Lilibet, back to the United Kingdom (UK).
“I love my country, as I always have done. Despite what some people in that country have done. Uhm, so, you know, I miss the UK,” he admitted, reflecting on the heartbreak of potentially not being able to share his homeland with his children.
That pain, however, is not enough to outweigh the concern he holds over their safety — a worry rooted in years of legal battles and institutional deadlock over his personal security.

Prince Harry arriving at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, England on April 8, 2025. | Source: Getty Images
Much of the tension stems from a drawn-out dispute with the UK’s Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC), which oversees security arrangements for public figures. Harry emphasized that, contrary to speculation, he never asked his father to intervene in the process.
Instead, he simply asked him to step aside and allow independent experts to assess the matter without internal influence. According to Harry, however, decisions continue to be channeled through the royal household — a dynamic he feels undermines fairness and transparency.

Prince Harry and King Charles III at a Commemoration of the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme in Thiepval, France on July 1, 2016. | Source: Getty Images
What troubles him most, he shared, is the broader implication of these security restrictions. “What really worries me […] is that it’s set a new precedent that security can be used to control members of the family,” Harry divulged.
His concern lies in what he views as a system that can effectively imprison royals who may wish to forge their own paths.

King Charles III and Prince Harry at the “International Year of The Reef” meeting in London, England on February 14, 2018. | Source: Getty Images
By making safety conditional on royal duties, which Harry and Meghan once sought to continue in a modified capacity, the institution sends a message that stepping away means losing not just privilege but protection.
Still, for Harry, this is not just a legal issue; it’s deeply personal. He described the entire experience as something that could be resolved not with royal power plays, but with simple human decency and a willingness to let processes play out without interference.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, British Columbia on February 8, 2025. | Source: Getty Images
“This whole thing could be resolved through him,” he remarked of Charles, not through action, but through letting go.
When asked about his father’s ongoing cancer battle, Harry struck a softer tone. “Life is a precious thing,” he stated solemnly, acknowledging both the fragility of life and the complex barriers preventing a full reconciliation.

King Charles III stands before his son Prince Harry during the late Queen Elizabeth II’s ceremonial procession in London, England on September 14, 2022. | Source: Getty Images
While he remains willing to visit, those trips — he notes — depend on being invited, and on being assured of safety. Whether his children will ever be able to freely visit their grandfather remains uncertain, caught in a web of politics, legacy, and unresolved familial tensions.
Despite the legal loss and emotional toll, Harry made one thing clear: He has never stopped asking for the same thing — safety for his family, and the ability to live with purpose and dignity
“I can never leave the royal family,” he highlighted. “That is my family.” But the institution, as he explained, was something he had to walk away from. Not for fame or freedom — but for the protection and well-being of those he holds dearest.