How Harry and Meghan kept their royal baby’s birth a secret from the world

The world was watching but Harry and Meghan managed to pull off something truly incredible, the likes of which has never been seen before.

Consider the plight of poor producers working on the next instalment of the Bond franchise. According to reports the film’s writers are labouring over blank pages, furiously trying to eke out a script before Daniel Craig gets perilously close to sexagenarian status or stroppily quits (again).

But never fear! The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have provided the movie scribes with all the inspiration they need courtesy of the incredible clandestine operation that resulted in the birth of their son without a single member of the press having the faintest clue.

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Given they are some of the most famous people on the planet and evaded the deluge of camera trucks, reporters and journalists eagerly (if not desperately) tramping about Windsor is no small feat. In fact, for nearly nine hours (which might even be a royal family record) Harry, Meghan and select members of their families were the only people in the world who knew the baby had finally entered the world.

Well played, Harry. Well played. Picture: Steve Parsons — WPA Pool/Getty Images

HOW IT WENT DOWN

The couple had been set for a home birth. In fact, according to Vanity Fair ’s Katie Nicholl, they had even installed a birthing pool in their yoga studio at Frogmore Cottage.

However, it was never put to use. On Sunday, nearly a week after her due date, doctors are reported to have told Meghan she would need to have a hospital delivery.

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Security officers are said to have then bundled the parents-to-be along with her mum Doria into one Range Rover and a full complement of bodyguards into another and set off to bravely fight the London traffic all the way to the city’s Portland Street Hospital. Miraculously, they managed to not be spied by any other motorists or members of the public during the 40-minute journey. When they finally got there, The Sun reports, they used an underground tunnel to enter the hospital complex. (Nifty!)

The ritzy Portland Hospital, which features a secret access tunnel. Picture: Alamy

Tucked away in one of the hospital’s luxe suites, which can cost up to $30,000, the Sussexes were forced to do what expecting parents the world over endure — wait. Intriguingly, despite the high profile status of this particular patient, only a handful of medical staff even knew that Meghan and Harry were not at home in Windsor catching up on Killing Eve and downing artisanal kombucha.

At this stage, the number of people who knew that Meghan was in labour was tiny. Even senior members of the royal family were still in the dark about what was happening, according to a number of reports.

Then, in the very early hours of the morning, it was action time! And thus Baby Sussex made his grand entrance into the world at 5.26am, unbeknown to the throngs of press still all the way over in Windsor, or even most of the royal family.

Phone calls were made to monarch and relatives and then, at some point on Monday morning, the new family of three made the journey to Frogmore Cottage, again, in total, 007-esque secrecy.

The couple chose to announce the baby’s birth on their new Instagram account. Picture: Tolga Akmen / AFP

SO HOW THEY DID THEY DO IT?

The answer is most likely boring but brilliantly simple: Planning. The security, cars and route were most likely arranged for months beforehand.

Secondly, The Portland Hospital was a surprise choice. In all the lead up to the birth, only the yoga studio, nearby Frimley Park Hospital and the Lindo Wing were discussed as options. Portland, which is beloved by celebs such as Victoria Beckham, was never even mentioned.

However, things haven’t always been plain sailing for Meghan when it comes to her security detail, with reports earlier this year that she was chafing against the constraints of life with 24/7 bodyguards.

A Scotland Yard insider told The Times: “Even though she was a famous actress, she could still do what she wanted in the way of getting around freely. But in her current role she can’t go anywhere without her protection team and that’s a massive constraining force on an individual like her.”

Harry and Meghan are now receiving visitors in the comfort of Frogmore Cottage. Picture: Paul ELLIS / AFP

WHY DIDN’T THE PRESS SPOT THEM?

There are more than a dozen entrances to Windsor Great Park so it is not that crazy that Team Sussex got out of there without being spotted.

Also, the Windsors are wily when it comes to the media. Yes, Kate, Wills, Harry and Meghan are perhaps some of the most photographed people on the planet. But when was the last time you saw a paparazzi photo of Kate popping into LK Bennett to stock up on a dozen or so new pairs of nude heels? Or Wills was snapped going to his gym, the Harbour Club, as he does most days at the same time? Or, pre-maternity leave, was Meghan ever caught making a hasty dash into her favourite Kensington pilates studio?

If you think about it, we see precious few non-sanctioned photos of the royal family off duty. Part of that is to do with the informal pact they made with the press that they would not photograph Prince George or Princess Charlotte without the Cambridges’ permission. (Those recent pics of them all enjoying a day out at the horse trials? There is a good chance they had tipped off a trusted snapper to get the images.)

The second reason is that the royal family’s protection officers are damn good at helping their regal charges get on with their lives without being seen, even by the press.

A beaming Harry sharing the news with the media. Picture: Steve Parsons — WPA Pool/Getty Images

ALL OF WHICH IS BAD NEWS FOR ROYAL WATCHERS

Part of Frogmore Cottage’s nearly $6 million renovation was to install “Fort Knox”-level security. Take into account that there is also a no-fly zone over their home and the chances of anyone getting a glimpse of Baby Sussex in anything other than a royal sanctioned photo, like the highly orchestrated baby’s first photo call, are pretty much slim-to-none.

Daniela Elser is a royal expert and freelance writer. Continue the conversation @DanielaElser