Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have named their son Archie after a surprising figure from Harry's past
- Prince Harry named his baby boy, Archie, after his former army commanding officer, Major Tom-Archer "Archie" Burton, according to The Sun.
- A source told the newspaper that the tribute to his former mentor is "well known in army circles."
- A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace did not deny the claims when contacted by INSIDER, and instead commented that Archie was chosen because Harry and Markle "liked the name."
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Ever since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry revealed their son's name on Wednesday, there have been numerous guesses as to what prompted the unexpected choice.
The couple diverted from tradition by deciding not to name their first child, Archie, after another member of the royal family. This has led many to wonder if the name was instead a nod to someone in the duke or duchess' inner circle.
Read more: How Prince Harry and Meghan bucked royal tradition by naming their son Archie
According to The Sun, Archie was named after Prince Harry's former army commanding officer, Major Tom-Archer Burton, who went by "Archie."
A source told the newspaper that Archie is aware that the name is a tribute to him.
"It's well known in army circles, and Archie's inner circle, that baby Archie is a nod to him," the source said.
"The two men have stayed in regular contact, and Archie has met most of Harry's family including Meghan. It's an incredible honour but Archie is an incredibly modest chap, and won't be making a big deal of it."
Meanwhile, Richard Fitzwilliams, royal commentator and former editor of "The International Who's Who" told INSIDER that the tribute wouldn't be surprising.
"It's a very good guess," said Fitzwilliams. "We do know his stint in the army was pivotal to his development and he has subsequently done so brilliantly founding the Invictus Games for wounded veterans.
"Obviously Major Tom Archer-Burton is an Archie who has meant a lot to him. Obviously, it is a name which appealed to Meghan as well. We won't, however, ever be told!"
Buckingham Palace has not denied the claims. When contacted by INSIDER, a spokesperson for the palace replied: "Their Royal Highnesses picked Archie because they liked the name."
There has been major speculation ever since Archie's full name, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, was revealed in an Instagram post published on Wednesday.
SEE ALSO: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's son will get a royal title after all, but it's not what you think
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