Baby Sussex: Everything we know about Harry and Meghan’s birth and baby

The royal stork is on the way with the first child of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex due any day. But if fans were hoping for a public glimpse of the newest royal baby, they will be disappointed.

The royal stork is on the way with the first child of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex due any day.

But if fans were hoping for a public glimpse of the royal baby in the days following the birth, they could be disappointed with the Duchess departing from tradition

While the rumour mill has been working overtime during the royal pregnancy, from reports of twins to raising the first gender-fluid royal to the Duchess hiring a doula (a non-medical support person), a statement from Buckingham Palace has finally confirmed reports that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle will snub the royal tradition of introducing the newborn outside the Lindo Wing.

Harry and Meghan are opting for a private birth. Picture: AFP

Unlike Princess Diana of Wales an Prince Charles, who showed off baby Harry to an adoring public in 1984 Picture: Mega Agency

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very grateful for the goodwill they have received from people throughout the United Kingdom and around the world as they prepare to welcome their baby,” the brief statement read.

“Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private. The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family.”

The palace did not confirm where Meghan would be giving birth.

The tradition of appearing with babe in arms on the steps of the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington has been a four-decade long custom among the royals. Princess Anne was the first, when she welcomed her son Peter Phillips in 1977 and again with daughter Zara in 1981. Princess Diana continued the trend the following year, introducing Prince William to the world on the famous steps. She also gave birth to Prince Harry there.

Princess Anne was the first royal mother to be photographed leaving the hospital with her three day-old Zara. Picture: Getty

Princess Diana continued tradition in 1982, showing off a newborn Prince William. Picture: Nunn Syndication

The first sightings of Prince George in 2013, Princess Charlotte in 2015 and Prince Louis in 2018 also all occurred outside the Lindo Wing with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge holding their newborns in front of the world’s photographers.

While some rumours have suggested the Duchess of Sussex could be following in the footsteps of the Queen, and have the royal baby at home as Her Majesty did with all four children, it is most likely that the pair will chose a hospital closer to Windsor, with the couple having moved to their new country abode of Frogmore Cottage earlier this month ahead of becoming a family of three. Frogmore Cottage sits in the grounds of Frogmore House, where they held their wedding reception in May, 2018.

The most likely hospital for the birth, Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, where Sophie, Countess of Wessex had both of her children, is much closer to their new home than St Mary’s in central London, while there are several other options in Windsor including Princess Margaret Hospital and King Edward VII Hospital.

Unlike Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Harry and Meghan won’t will not be photographed. Picture: Getty

The royal pair also posed with their newborn daughter Charlotte outside the hospital. Picture: Getty

The first clue to the impending birth could be restricted parking at the hospital chosen by the pair. It is not known whether another royal tradition, that the Queen be the first to be officially notified — after which a bulletin will be posted on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace for the public to see — will be upheld.

Earlier this month Meghan and Harry launched their own official Instagram account (posts of the couple were previously shared on a joint account with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge). Some royal commentators say the social media move could suggest that the couple may choose to share a picture of baby Sussex on social media instead of the traditional photo call route. It’s believed a private family photo call may take place at Windsor Castle sometime after the birth.

While it has been reported that the couple have chosen to not find out the sex of the baby ahead of the birth, Sportsbet punters have rallied behind the newborn being a girl, named Diana.

While The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their newborn son Louis posed for a public portrait, it is expected the Sussex family will instead hold a private photo call in Windsor. Picture: AP

The online bookmaker has tightened Diana from $6.00 into $4.00, as the chosen name. Grace is also popular among betters as is Alice and Victoria while Charles is leading the boys at $14 ahead of Arthur, Edward and James all at $16.

Unlike the children of Prince William, who is heir to the throne, it is unlikely baby Sussex will be given Prince or Princess titles, unless the Queen grants a special Letters Patent, which she did do for William so all three of his children received the titles, and not just the future king, Prince George. If the Duke and Duchess give birth to a son he will likely be given the title, Earl of Dumbarton, which is one of Prince Harry’s lesser titles. While if the couple give birth to a girl, she will likely be styled as Lady, followed by her first name and with Mountbatten-Windsor as a surname.

If the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge don’t have any more children, baby Sussex will be seventh in line to the throne.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Baby Sussex name

$4.00 Diana

$8.00 Grace

$14 Charles

$16 Alice

$16 Arthur

$16 Edward

$16 James

$16 Victoria

$20 Alexander

$20 Alexandra

Weight of Harry and Meghan’s 1st Baby

$2.75 8 lbs — 8 lbs 15oz

$3.00 7 lbs — 7 lbs 15oz

$4.00 6 lbs — 6 lbs 15oz

$5.00 5 lbs — 5 lbs 15oz

$17 10 lbs or over

Markets courtesy of Sportsbet.com.au

Originally published as Baby Sussex: Everything we know about Harry and Meghan’s birth and baby