Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continue to buck royal protocols

Prince Harry’s giggles of joy as he announced the arrival of his first born to a waiting world has left royal fans shaking with anticipation at the prospect of a glimpse of the new baby. But the Prince and Meghan have bucked royal protocol and will do it on their own terms.

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Prince Harry’s giggles of joy as he announced the arrival of his first born to a waiting world has left royal fans shaking with anticipation at the prospect of a glimpse of the new baby.

The 34-year-old Duke of Sussex’s deep delight was infectious as he spoke at an unscheduled press conference in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

His excitement was palpable after “Baby Sussex”, seventh in line to the throne, was born at 5.26am (UK time) on Monday morning after the Prince and his wife, Meghan, were rushed to hospital in central London.

“I’m very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a baby boy earlier this morning, a very healthy boy,” a clearly relaxed Harry said.

“Mother and baby are doing incredibly well. It’s been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined.”

Prince Harry won a legion of fans after his excited announcement to the world Meghan Markle had a baby boy. Picture: Steve Parsons/WPA Pool/Getty Images

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And in one sentence Britain’s favourite royal won a new legion of fans with his wonderment at the birth process.

“How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension, but we’re both absolutely thrilled and so grateful for all the love and support from everybody out there,” he said.

“It’s been amazing, so I just wanted to share this with everybody.”

The Duke and Duchess have signalled their independence when it comes to their lives — bucking tradition in very clear ways.

Meghan walked herself up the aisle of St George’s Chapel at their wedding last May, before taking the arm of Prince Charles for the final steps to the altar.

The royal couple have been bucking protocols since their wedding day. Picture: Danny Lawson/pool photo via AP, File

Their choice of causes has clearly marked their interests and they have broken away from the official social media accounts of his brother and his wife, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, while settling 30km away from them.

Buckingham Palace seemed to have been caught on the hop, setting out the official birth announcement in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace two hours after these most modern of royals had posted to Instagram that they had a boy — a far cry from the stuffy, ritual-laden mores of other family members.

The couple had made it clear they would keep arrangements around the birth a secret: there would be no posing on the hospital steps, fully coiffured and made-up within hours of giving birth, a la Kate. They would take their time to celebrate the birth as a family.

Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London revealing Prince Louis to the waiting media. Picture: Isabel INFANTES/AFP

There was still some tradition with the easel placed at the gates of the Buckingham Palace to inform the public. Picture: Yui Mok / POOL / AFP

With Harry’s decision to share his news personally — a total break from royal protocol — it is clear he has taken control.

As child who has grown up in the public eye, Harry craves some semblance of normality. His mother Diana’s experience has made him adamant that he will take control of his life, and that of his family, determined as he is to tread the tricky line between performing his public duty and retaining something for himself, his wife and, now, their baby boy.

Harry and Meghan’ s love story captured the imagination of the public in a way that no other has since his Diana became engaged to Prince Charles.

Following his mum, Diana’s experiences, he has taken control of his public life. Picture: AP Photo/John Redman, File

Royal fans can’t wait to see whether the baby will look like Meghan, pictured, or Prince Harry. Picture: Splash

Since the heartbreaking images of a little boy lost, walking numbly through the streets of Westminster behind his mother’s coffin were beamed around the world in 1997, royal fans have hoped he, perhaps more than anyone in “The Firm”, would find happiness.

Through his troubled teens, when his gaffes made news round the world — his infamous appearance dressed as a Nazi at a party and his naked romp in a Las Vegas hotel — the public felt for him as he floundered.

The news was announced on their official Instagram page. Picture: Instagram/@sussexroyal

His whirlwind romance with Meghan and their fairytale wedding last year, and the couple’s determination to do things on their own terms, could signal a changing of the guard.

Harry’s easy way with people and Meghan’s enthusiasm to embrace her new role as Duchess, has delighted the public. The new baby can only add to that.

For now he is willing to share his joy — but on his own terms.

“Still thinking about names,” Prince Harry told the media. “The baby’s a little bit overdue, so we’ve had a little bit of time to think about it. That’s the next bit.

“But for us, I think we’ll be seeing you guys in two days as planned, as a family, to be able to share it with you guys so everyone can see the baby.”