The Duke of Sussex has spoken of how his three-day-old son Archie has given him a new focus and goal, teaching him the “miracle” of new life after the challenges he faced following the loss of his mother.
The Duke, who was in The Hague for the launch of the one year countdown to the Invictus Games, told of his pleasure in knowing his baby had made a lot of people happy, saying he was still very quiet at just a few days old.
Having left Archie at home in Windsor with the Duchess to return for one day of work, he spoke of the joy his baby son has brought but advised a fellow father-to-be to learn his lessons and not plan too much after the baby’s arrival.
During a bike ride around the Zuiderpark, the Duke had a candid conversation with former soldier Dennis van der Stroom, 31, about mental health and parenting, speaking poignantly of the loss of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born on Monday morning, with the Duke appearing to abandon the idea of paternity leave with one engagement on Thursday and another already announced for Tuesday.
Above all, he said he was just amazed by the miracles in the world, and how his child has made a lot of people happy, said Mr Van der Stroon.
He also told me he’s really happy that his son is so far very quiet. But he also told me not to make too many plans and that there’s no way you can plan for when the baby arrives.
The Invictus athlete, who served in the army from 2006 until 2011, described his conversation with the Duke as amazing and emotional.
At a certain moment, we just got connected on this level, he said.