Royal fans point out bittersweet detail in Meghan Markle's latest photo of Prince Archie

Prince Archie - the eldest child of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - celebrated his sixth birthday this week at the family's California home in Montecito.

His mother, Meghan Markle, subsequently shared a sentimental snap on Instagram of her little boy's big day, with fans of the British monarchy delighted to have gained a glimpse at the royal youngster.

Unlike typical birthday photographs shared online by excited parents, however, 43-year-old's Meghan's social media upload saw no inclusion of Archie's cake, balloons, or his presents.

In fact, the single, somewhat emotive image saw the child standing alone on the edge of a balcony, looking out onto the ocean below.

It didn't take long for some critics to point out a particularly bittersweet aspect of Archie's sixth birthday - which just so happened to fall within days of the VE Day celebrations taking place in the UK.

The trio were also seen laughing together (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

While the Sussex's eldest posed alone on his balcony this week, his cousins from across the pond, Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte, sat together on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

The children of Archie's uncle, Harry's brother Prince William, and wife Kate Middleton, joined their grandfather King Charles III for the festivities, which marks the German surrender during WWII and remembers the lives lost during warfare.

Images of the Wales children smiling together and making jokes while perched upon the Palace's balcony were splashed across the global media, all the while Archie celebrated his birthday in the company of his parents and sister Lilibet, three.

Some royal fans were seemingly heartbroken at the prospect of a family divided, with one writing on social media: "Archie's balcony moment... the solitary vibe is very sad."

Another wrote online: "The children on the Buckingham Palace balcony look happy. Archie’s photo just makes me feel sad.

The couple resigned from their royal duties in 2020 (Matt Dunham - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

"He seems lonely in the photo. It’s an odd photo choice for a 6th birthday."

Others, meanwhile, suggested that Archie's birthday photo was simply a means of Meghan emphasising her son's newfound freedom, with she and Harry having resigned from their royal duties due to the pressures and maltreatment that came with their roles.

"I wondered if it’s meant to be Archie on a ‘balcony’ after the balcony scenes on this side of the Atlantic," one postulated.

"But looking out to sea is her saying he has freedom? Or am I reading too much in it for even her?"

Another passionate spectator also tweeted in response: "Little Prince Archie facing the sun instead of the gloom and wretchedness of the cursed BP balcony."

Several spectators have suggested theories regarding Archie's birthday upload (Instagram/@meghan)

This skeptical notion was also seconded by another social media user, who wrote, 'Prince Archie did not have to share his balcony with a bunch of racist strangers', seemingly alluding to the accusations Meghan and Harry made about members of the monarchy in 2020, who reportedly raised questions about their child's skin colour.

Another suggested: "Archie’s sunset picture on his balcony gave feelings of Simba from Lion King, inheriting the land and beauty that his Pa and Mum has built for him. Archie’s balcony built from LOVE!"