Archie, the young royal, received a delightful surprise on his fourth birthday – a shiny new bike gifted by none other than the local shop owner himself.
On the morning of May 6th, while the world eagerly anticipated the coronation of King Charles, the minds behind Mad Dogs, a quaint English bike shop nestled in Montecito, California, had a different royal in their thoughts – little Archie.
Jennifer Blevins, the shop owner, shared with People magazine the heartwarming tale of how their British partner and co-owner, Martin, decided to bestow a special present upon young Archie.
Martin's spontaneous gesture led him to select one of their charming specialized kids' bikes, complete with training wheels, as the perfect gift for Archie.
Alongside the bike, he added a touch of celebration with birthday balloons, flowers for Megan, a heartfelt birthday card, and set off to hand-deliver the surprise to their residence.
Upon reaching the gates of the home, security personnel emerged, questioning Martin's presence and whether he had been formally invited by the couple.
With a chuckle, Martin clarified that he was merely a British businessman in town, eager to gift Archie on his special day.
After a brief background check, security permitted Martin to leave the thoughtful offerings – the bike, flowers, card, and balloons – ensuring they reached the young prince.
However, some keen royal enthusiasts speculate whether this act was part of Megan's public relations strategy amidst Harry's ongoing legal battles, noting the absence of any photographs capturing the children enjoying their new bikes.
Can dolls even ride bikes, they ponder?
Fast forward to a month later, and a surprising turn of events unfolded for Jennifer Blevins.
A courier arrived at their cozy shop on Coast Village Road, delivering a letter that left her pleasantly astonished.
The letter, shared with People, turned out to be a genuine thank-you note from Megan and Harry themselves.
Jennifer humorously mentioned that she had jokingly remarked about expecting a thank-you letter, only to have her jest transformed into reality.
The personalized touch of the note touched Jennifer deeply, highlighting the effort taken by the royal couple amidst their busy schedules.
The letter, signed by Harrison Colcord from the office of Prince Harry and Megan, expressed sincere gratitude for the thoughtful gift bestowed upon Prince Archie on his fourth birthday.
The bike had evidently brought joy to the family, with the Duke and Duchess extending their appreciation for the heartfelt gesture.
However, not all responses were as positive, as Sussex supporters criticized the bike shop for sharing the letter and questioned Harry and Megan's choice to send a staff member to convey their thanks instead of a handwritten note.
The scrutiny extended to Harrison Colcord, the individual representing the royal couple, who currently serves as the Director of Sales and Marketing at San Ysidro Ranch, a prestigious property in Santa Barbara, California.
Harrison's background in fashion and luxury industries raised eyebrows, with her journey from haute couture in New York City to the serene allure of Santa Barbara sparking curiosity.
The intricacies of why a figure from the hospitality sector was tasked with responding on behalf of the royal couple stirred a wave of intrigue among observers.