Meghan Markle, Prince Harry baby: How royal birth was kept secret

Meghan and Harry’s first child was born right under the nose of the world’s media, reportedly a full eight hours before anyone found out. Here’s how.

Meghan Markle’s plans for a home birth have reportedly been scuttled at the eleventh hour, with claims she may have secretly been taken to a private hospital.

Multiple media outlets are reporting that the Duchess of Sussex was given a police escort to hospital to give birth to her son. It’s understood that while the labour was underway, details were so tightly locked up that even senior royals were kept in the dark.

It follows months of widespread claims that Meghan had been hoping to have a home birth — something Kate Middleton had also been keen to try for the birth of her third child, Prince Louis.

Meghan had reportedly taken every possible step to attempt to deliver her child within the walls of Frogmore Cottage, her new home with husband Prince Harry.

Meghan Markle wanted to have the baby at Frogmore Cottage, the new home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Baby Sussex may have been born in Portland Hospital.

It’s understood that Meghan gave birth at the exclusive Portland Hospital in London, where suites cost around $28,000 per night.

It’s unknown whether she was induced, but sources told The Mail that she was admitted to hospital on Sunday evening.

Within hours of the birth, Meghan, Harry and their new son were back at home at Frogmore Cottage.

Meghan was reportedly keen to try for a home birth. Picture: Tolga Akmen/AFP

HOW IT HAPPENED

After weeks of impatiently waiting for any news regarding the birth of the new royal baby, the big moment all unfolded very quickly on Monday.

Less than an hour after it was announced that Meghan Markle was in labour, the statement came through that Prince Harry and his wife were now the proud parents of a son.

Meghan and Harry are officially parents. Picture: AP Photo/Frank Augstein

“Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex was safely delivered of a son at 0526hrs (2.26pm Monday AEST),” Buckingham Palace said in a statement. “The baby weighs 7lbs 3oz (3.26kg).

“The Duke of Sussex was present for the birth.”

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It was a relatively low-key announcement (for the Royal Family) and came a whole eight hours after Meghan had actually given birth.

With the eyes of the world’s media fixed firmly on Frogmore Cottage near Windsor Castle, it’s rather impressive that the couple managed to keep the fact that Meghan had gone into labour as a secret for so long — especially if she snuck out to hospital.

While details are still relatively scarce, here’s everything else we know about the moments leading up to Baby Sussex’s arrival:

IN THE DELIVERY ROOM

Prince Harry has revealed he was present for the birth of his son, just as his brother Prince William was for his own children.

The delighted royal fronted media in a surprise appearance shortly after the news broke, and beamed as he spoke of his pride in his “incredible wife”.

Speaking from Windsor, the Duke of Sussex said: “I’m very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a baby boy this morning, a very healthy baby boy … Mother and baby are doing incredibly well.”

“It’s been the most amazing experience. We are both absolutely thrilled and grateful to the support from everybody out there.”

An excited Harry spoke to media after the story broke. Picture: Steve Parsons — WPA Pool/Getty Images

Harry also confirmed widespread reports that the baby had been overdue.

“The baby is a little bit over due so we’ve had a little time to think about it (names),” he said.

“That’s the next bit, but for us, we will seeing you guys in two days time, as planned as a family to be able to share with you guys, so everybody can see the baby.

“It’s absolutely incredible and I’m so incredibly proud of my wife.”

Harry added that his son was “absolutely to die for … I’m absolutely over the moon”.

KEY DETAIL MISSING

Amid the key details released about the baby’s birth, there was one glaring omission.

Unlike with other royal baby bulletins, the sign displayed outside Buckingham Palace failed to include any mention of the name of the doctor or location of the birth.

The framed notice was placed in the forecourt of the London palace by the Privy Purse Door at 4.45pm on Monday afternoon.

A notice is set on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace in London to formally announce the birth of a baby boy to Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Picture: AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti

WHEN WILL WE SEE BABY SUSSEX?

While we’re used to seeing smiling royal couples posing on the hospital stairs with their newborns, that was never going to be the case with Harry and Meghan.

The couple made it clear early on that they’d be attempting to keep their baby’s birth as private as possible — which included nixing the traditional post-delivery photo op.

In April, Meghan and Harry released a statement saying, “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.”

It’s understood that the long-awaited first photo of Baby Sussex will be taken by a single photographer in a controlled environment, and released after the couple has had a chance to settle in with their new bundle of joy.

Fronting media shortly after the birth was announced, proud dad Harry hinted that it could be as soon as Wednesday.

“We’ll being seeing you guys in probably two days time as planned as a family to be able to share it with you guys, and so everyone can see the baby,” he said.