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In less than a year, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex have completely transformed their lives. After enduring the vicious tabloid culture in the U.K., the Sussexes were motivated to step away from the British royal family for their mental health and for the future and well-being of their son, Archie Harrison.

The tiny royal recently celebrated his first birthday and he’s apparently living his best life. Meghan and Prince Harry are now living in their newly purchased $14.7 million home in Santa Barabara, and they’ve also garnered a massive new deal with Netflix that has afforded them total financial freedom away from the royal family.

Though things were tense between the royals and the Sussexes for a time, and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have prevented the duke and duchess from traveling to the U.K., they kept in touch via video calls. In fact, Archie adores his grandfather, Prince Charles and he already has a special nickname for him.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle love raising Archie in California

The Sussexes are very much enjoying their new home in the private and affluent community of Mochito, Santa Barbara. Their 19,000 square foot house affords them space and privacy that they were desperately seeking. It’s far enough from LA to get away from the hustle and bustle. During a recent video call, the prince gushed about his new life. He said via Daily Mail,

I loving it. It’s fantastic. What I need is a few mini rugby balls that I can get Archie involved with the game…I’ve got a little bit of space outside, which we’re fortunate enough to have. We’ve got a whole Rugby League world cup coming next year. I definitely plan on coming back. I would have been back already had it not been for COVID.

Since the pair are working with Netflix and on other endeavors, Meghan’s mom, Doria Ragland, has stepped in to help raise her grandson. “Doria Ragland continues to live with Meghan, Harry, and Archie,” a source told US Weekly. “This has been the most time she has spent with her grandson since he was born.”

Archie loves to be on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Zoom calls

In addition to the space and time with his best friends, the Sussexes’ two dogs, Archie also very much enjoys stepping into the camera during his parents’ video calls.

“When Harry and Meghan do video-conferencing calls with their team and with members of the community, you will often see Archie pop into the camera,” Finding Freedom author Carolyn Durand told The Today Show. “He’s now walking a bit. They’re very, very hands-on parents.”

He also enjoys seeing his great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II who is absolutely delighted by Archie’s ginger hair. “According to a family friend, The Queen loves watching Archie on-screen and has commented on his streak of red hair,” royal expert Katie Nicholl told Vanity Fair.

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Archie has a nickname for Prince Charles

The Sussexes have also kept in touch with Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. For Prince Harry’s 35th birthday Zoom call on Sept. 15, Archie gave his grandfather the most adorable nickname.

“It was very pleasant,” The Scottish Sun reported. “Harry told the family how much he missed them. Meghan baked a cake and Harry blew out candles.”Archie made them laugh when he also blew [the candles] out.” He also called his grandfather, “pa” when Grandpa was a bit too challenging for him to master.”

We hope the Sussexes can travel soon.