BABY Archie today giggled as he wished people a Happy New Year – with the one-year-old appearing to have an American accent as he made his podcast debut.
The 19-month-old burst out laughing as parents Meghan Markle and Prince Harry launched their first podcast episode.
Meghan, 39, and Harry, 36, signed the lucrative deal with Spotify to host and produce podcasts, estimated to be worth £30 million, for Archewell Audio.
And the couple enlisted the help of A-lister friends including Elton John and James Corden for their first episode as they discussed what had kept them motivated during 2020.
But it was at the very end of the podcast that the couple upped the aw factor – introducing their toddler son Archie to their fans.
The couple could be heard moving around before Meghan was heard asking Archie: “Is it fun?”
Little Archie then pipes up, adorably replying: “Fun!”
Harry then encourages his son to repeat “after me”.
Archie then repeats “Happy New Year” with the help of his parents – with the trio descending into peals of laughter.
The little boy’s podcast appearance comes after he appeared on the family Christmas card along with their two dogs.
The sweet end to the podcast came after the couple discussed the lessons they had learnt during the difficult year for their holiday special episode.
But Archie’s appearance on the podcast sparked debate online – with fans quick to discuss what accent the little boy has.
Archie spent his first few months living in the UK before living in Canada for a few months. He has been living in the US with Meghan and Harry since mid-this year after the couple quit the Royal Family.
One Twitter user said: “My family is at war! Mom says Archie sounds British. That’s a lie! Archie clearly has an American accent!”
Another added: “That Archewell Audio holiday special was quite emotional.. and Archie has a British accent??”
A third said they “cried” after hearing the little boy speak.
The couple today released their holiday special episode, paying tribute to frontline workers for their “sacrifices” and remembered those who have lived through “uncertainty and unthinkable loss” during the coronavirus pandemic.
And after sharing inspiring stories, Meghan told listeners: “From us I’ll say no matter what life throws at you guys, trust us when we say, love wins.”
The couple enlisted the help of big names including Sir Elton John, James Corden and Tyler Perry to speak about how they had kept motivated and positive during 2020.
Sir Elton was a friend of Harry’s mother Diana, Princess of Wales and has regularly supported her son over the years, while Corden was a guest at Harry and Meghan’s wedding and was asked by the duke to perform at the couple’s evening celebration.
Other guests included activist and tennis star Naomi Osaka, American filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry – who had allowed the couple to stay at his mansion when they first moved to the US – wellness icon Deepak Chopra and teenage activist Christina Adane from London, who campaigns on food issues.
Harry said in the podcast: “As we come to the end of this year and look to the future… let’s hold onto the lessons we’ve learned about how important it is to take care of one another, and how meaningful our connections are… even when they’re physically impossible.”
‘LOVE WINS’
Meghan added they had asked people who “inspire us” to appear on the podcast and give “their thoughts on what they learned from 2020”.
The podcast ends with the couple broadcasting the gospel song This Little Light of Mine which was played at the end of their wedding.
Meghan added: “This Little Light of Mine played at the very end of our wedding… while we were walking down the steps of the church.”
Quoting Martin Luther King she went on to say: “It was the music that we wanted playing when we started our lives together. Because as we all know, ‘darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that…'”
Harry added: “The message of this song is one we hold so dearly. It’s about using the power we each have within us to make this world a better place.”
It comes after the Sun revealed the couple lodged documents to prevent others cashing in on the name.
US copyright attorneys are already looking over papers from the couple asking for exclusive rights to their charity Archewell and Archewell Foundation.
And official papers filed regarding Archewell Audio revealed it will provide: “Downloadable podcasts, audio programs, and audio books, all in the field of current and topical events, education, science, literature, racial justice, gender equity, environmental stewardship, youth empowerment, health, mental health, and commentary on topics of current and general interest.”
Other guests included activist and tennis star Naomi Osaka, American filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry – who had allowed the couple to stay at his mansion when they first moved to the US – wellness icon Deepak Chopra and teenage activist Christina Adane from London, who campaigns on food issues.
Harry said in the podcast: “As we come to the end of this year and look to the future… let’s hold onto the lessons we’ve learned about how important it is to take care of one another, and how meaningful our connections are… even when they’re physically impossible.”
Meghan added they had asked people who “inspire us” to appear on the podcast and give “their thoughts on what they learned from 2020”.
The podcast ends with the couple broadcasting the gospel song This Little Light of Mine which was played at the end of their wedding.
Meghan said: “From us I’ll say no matter what life throws at you guys, trust us when we say, love wins.”
She added: “This Little Light of Mine played at the very end of our wedding… while we were walking down the steps of the church.”
Quoting Martin Luther King she went on to say: “It was the music that we wanted playing when we started our lives together. Because as we all know, ‘darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that…'”
Harry added: “The message of this song is one we hold so dearly. It’s about using the power we each have within us to make this world a better place.”
It comes after the Sun revealed the couple lodged documents to prevent others cashing in on the name.
US copyright attorneys are already looking over papers from the couple asking for exclusive rights to their charity Archewell and Archewell Foundation.
And official papers filed regarding Archewell Audio revealed it will provide: “Downloadable podcasts, audio programs, and audio books, all in the field of current and topical events, education, science, literature, racial justice, gender equity, environmental stewardship, youth empowerment, health, mental health, and commentary on topics of current and general interest.”
