Arthur Edwards Recalls Charles Wasn’t Speaking to Harry When Archie Was Born

A tense moment surrounding Prince Archie’s birth has resurfaced in a royal photographer’s memoir. Arthur Edwards says an aide stopped him from showing King Charles a picture of the newborn, explaining that Charles was not speaking to his son, Prince Harry, at the time. Edwards recounts the episode in his memoir, “Cup of Tea, Arthur?” He says it happened in May 2019, while he was accompanying Charles and Queen Camilla on an official visit to Germany. After Harry and Meghan Markle introduced Archie to the public, photographs of the baby were sent to Edwards’ phone. According to his account, Edwards showed the pictures to Camilla, who was interested in seeing her new grandson. She then suggested he show them to Charles. But before he could approach the then-Prince of Wales, Charles’ press secretary, Julian Payne, allegedly intervened. Edwards says Payne told him not to show the photographs. When the photographer asked why, the aide reportedly replied: “He’s not talking to his son.” Edwards describes the exchange as the first time he realised there was serious tension between Charles and Harry. The account does not clarify what had led to the reported breakdown in communication, whether Charles had already seen pictures of Archie elsewhere, or whether he later saw them that day. Edwards says he followed the aide’s instruction and did not approach Charles with the images. Archie was born on May 6, 2019, while Charles and Camilla were carrying out engagements in Germany. Harry and Meghan introduced their son during an arranged appearance at Windsor Castle rather than following the familiar royal tradition of posing outside the hospital soon after the birth. Edwards’ recollection offers a glimpse of alleged family strain at a time when the public presentation of the newborn was still unfolding.