The Queen is believed to be 'very sad' she has barely seen baby Archie as she comes to terms with Harry and Meghan's future plans as 'non-senior Royals'.

With the Sussexes' plans to step out of the spotlight stretching back months, their eight-month-old son has had little opportunity to see his extended family.

The Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and his children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are only believed to have met baby Sussex a handful of times.

His great-grandmother and the Duke of Edinburgh met him at just two-days-old at Windsor Castle, but could not attend his christening two months later because it clashed with a private weekend they hold at Sandringham every year.

A source told The Sunday Times: 'She will be very sad to have barely seen Archie and that he will miss out on growing up with his cousins and wider family.'

The Queen (pictured with Archie, Meghan, her mother Doria, Harry and Prince Philip on May 8 last year) is believed to be 'very sad' she has barely seen baby Archie

Archie, unlike his cousins, was born without a royal title, and will be known simply as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor

Archie was photographed in Meghan's arms at a polo match also attended by William, Kate and their children in Berkshire in July.

But they have not been seen as a group since then with Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, jetting off to Canada in November for their six-week Christmas holiday.

The eight-month-old has not visited the UK so far this year and is currently with his mother and his nanny in Canada.

Harry is due to be reunited with them in the coming weeks, but with no indication of when the trio will next be in the UK, the Queen, 93, will be left wondering when she will see her great-grandson again.

Prince Charles is reported to be very keen on his moniker of 'Grandpa Wales' and often spends family time with William, Kate, George, Charlotte and Louis.

They were all last together a matter of weeks ago when they enjoyed the traditional trip to the Queen's Norfolk estate for Christmas.

Archie was photographed in Meghan's arms at a polo match also attended by William, Kate and their children in Berkshire in July

Meghan is pictured cradling baby Archie while Prince Louis tries on a pair of sunglasses with his mother Kate at a polo match in Berkshire in July

The Queen and Prince Philip were unable to attend Archie's christening (pictured) due to a clash of schedules

But Charles, 71, is also thought to be upset about the lack of time spent with Archie.

A royal source added to The Sunday Times: 'Where will Archie's heritage and roots be? What about Diana's family, the Spencers? Harry and William know all too well how damaging an unsettled childhood can be.'

Archie, unlike his cousins, was born without a royal title, and will be known simply as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

He will remain seventh in line for the throne, as his father will remain sixth, having been born a Prince.

Yesterday his parents' plans for life as non-senior Royals were revealed.

Under the terms of the historic deal thrashed out at Sandringham, the pair, who will be known as Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, will cease to be working members of the Royal Family from this spring and will not perform any official duties on behalf of the Queen – effectively leaving 'The Firm' completely.

As well as returning the £2.4 million spent on a lavish refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, they will pay a commercial rent – estimated at up to £360,000 a year – to retain it as their British home.

Prince Charles will continue to 'offer private financial support' and, crucially, the couple will have free rein to negotiate lucrative commercial deals that experts believe could net them hundreds of millions of pounds, although they have pledged 'to uphold the values of Her Majesty'.

MailOnline has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.