Meghan breaks with royal tradition followed by Princess Diana and Kate for birth

The Duchess of Sussex will shun a royal tradition of four decades followed by Princess Diana and Kate, choosing a very different kind of birth.

Mother-to-be Meghan has broken a four-decade royal tradition by shunning the hospital where Kate and Princess Diana gave birth.

She and Prince Harry have decided not to have their baby at the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, West London, The Sun reports.

Instead, the couple have opted for a maternity unit closer to their Windsor home.

Kate and Prince William posed on the steps outside the Lindo following the births of all their three children. The Duchess of Cambridge looked immaculate as she emerged just hours after Prince Louis’ birth last year.

Meghan and Prince Harry have decided not to have their baby at the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, West London. Picture: AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File

A source said: “This child will not be born at the Lindo.

“The talk of all the senior clinicians there is that Meghan doesn’t want to copy what Kate did.

“Harry and Meghan realise there is intense public interest but this baby is not a direct heir to the throne and they want the birth to be as private as possible.

“Meghan is nervous about complications such as an emergency Caesarean and doesn’t want the pressure of having to look immaculate on the hospital steps just hours later.

“Like any anxious first-time mum, she’s worried about the birth itself.

“As she is over 35, she is considered a slightly older mum — which sometimes can lead to some complications.

The couple are breaking with a longstanding royal tradition followed by Prince William and Kate for all their three children. Picture: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File

“Meghan also has the added stress of the world’s attention on her — everyone wants to catch the first glimpse of the new royal addition.

“She and Harry have decided that rather than go somewhere as public as the Lindo they will allow Meghan to recover somewhere more private.

“She just wants a normal, natural birth and to bond with her baby, without being primped and blow-dried to within an inch of her life just for the pictures.”

The link between the Lindo Wing and the Royal Family dates back to 1977. Princess Anne had her first child Peter Phillips there, followed by daughter Zara in 1981.

Princess Diana gave birth to William and Harry at the Lindo Wing. Picture: Snapper/ Nunn Syndication

Diana chose it for the births of William in 1982 and Harry in 1984, and Kate followed in 2013, 2015 and 2018 with George, Charlotte and Louis.

Last year, actress Keira Knightley, 34, criticised the fact Kate seemed expected to provide perfect post-baby appearances.

She said the fact that Kate, 37, “was out of hospital seven hours later with her face made up and high heels on” felt unrealistic and not achievable for a lot of women.

Los Angeles-born Meghan, also 37, is focusing on modern wellness remedies to help with her anxieties, including pre-natal massages. She is said to be worried about her age as a first-time mum. Anyone over 35 is medically classed as geriatric.

Commentators including Keira Knightley said the post-baby appearances in high heels and make-up were unfair on Kate. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Meghan — who follows a vegan diet during the week and swears by drinking green juice — is using meditation to help ease her nervousness.

The Sun on Sunday revealed that her mum Doria, 62, has been taking pregnancy massage lessons in LA. She has been learning about pressure points for pain relief and breathing techniques so she can assist Meghan when she goes into labour.

Doria is expected to fly to the UK in the coming days.

Meghan is understood to want a more private birth near her home in Windsor, and will rely on ‘New Age’ birthing techniques. Picture: AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File

Meghan is dedicated to following New Age birthing techniques, including chanting and breathing routines using natural smells and sound therapy, it is claimed.

She has been taking her mother’s advice on the use of essential oils that help balance the female hormone system.

Other spiritual and wellness areas that interest the Duchess include the use of aromatherapy and healing using crystals.

Meghan is now also enjoying a range of caffeine-free specialised herbal teas.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and is republished here with permission.