Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have welcomed their first child, Kensington Palace has announced.
Taking to Instagram, the Sussex’s shared that Meghan Markle has given birth to a baby boy.
“We are pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their firstborn child in the early morning on May 6th, 2019. Their Royal Highnesses’ son weighs 7lbs. 3oz.”
“The Duchess and baby are both healthy and well, and the couple thank members of the public for their shared excitement and support during this very special time in their lives.”
The statement finished by promising that “more details will be shared in the forthcoming days.”
New dad Prince Harry then stepped out to confirm the news saying the couple is “absolutely thrilled” and that mother and baby are doing “incredibly well”.
Speaking to CNN, Harry said, the child had been “a little overdue” and that the parents planned to make another announcement in two days’ time “so everyone can see the baby”.
“It’s been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined,” he added, saying, “How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension.”
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The couple, who wed in May last year, announced they were expecting Baby Sussex in November while on their Royal Tour of Australia. The couple later revealed their due date was at the end of April, but did not give specific details.
“Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019,” an announcement from England’s Kensington Palace said.
“Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public.”
Many had predicted Meghan may have been expecting after British media reports suggested she informed the Royal Family at Princess Eugenie’s Royal Wedding to Jack Brooksbank.
Following the announcement of the impending arrival of the couple’s first baby, reports said the Queen was “delighted”, as was Meghan’s mum, Doria Ragland. Prince William and Kate were also reported to have been thrilled with the news. Prince Charles also released a statement at the time, sharing his joy at the news.
Harry and Meghan began dating in July 2016 after meeting on a blind date. The couple were confirmed to be dating when Meghan gave a Vanity Fair cover story saying she and Harry were “so in love”. The couple announced their engagement with an official photocall at Buckingham Palace in November 2017.
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Following the announcement, the couple gave a formal interview to the BBC.
“Of course,” Harry said when asked about baby plans during the interview. “You know, one step at a time. Hopefully, we’ll start a family in the near future.”
The couple wed at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor on May 19. Their ceremony was watched by millions around the world.
In January of 2019, the Duchess of Sussex told the crowd at Birkenhead that she was six months pregnant. “We asked her how her pregnancy was going and she said she was six months and she tapped her tummy,” a royal fan named Carla Gand, who was there with her four-year-old daughter Sofia, told People.
Despite Queen Elizabeth handing down more responsibility to Meghan at the beginning of this year, including four new royal patronages, the new mum will be taking some time off her royal duties to focus on her royal baby.
Meghan will most likely follow in the footsteps of sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, who took 6-months off following the birth of all three of her children – Prince George, 5, Princess Charlotte, 3, and Prince Louis, 1.
Like Kate though, Meghan will be expected to come out of maternity leave on the odd occasion, with Kate making appearances at Harry and Meghan’s wedding as well as the Queen’s birthday celebrations.
In the weeks leading up to the birth, it was reported the Duchess of Sussex would break a royal tradition and not give birth at London’s Lindo Wing or St Mary’s Hospital, but rather opt for a maternity ward closer to her home in Windsor. It was believed Meghan had chosen Frimley Park Hospital. It was also widely reported that Meghan might opt for a home birth.
A source told The Sun in early April, “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 was also reportedly “not keen” to partake in the post-baby photoshoot. Members of the Royal Family have always opted for the official photoshoot following a royal birth, including Prince Harry’s mother Princess Diana. That means Markle, in a break from recent royal tradition, will not pose for photos after delivery, and will instead host a “photo call” at Windsor Castle a few days after the birth, People reports.
The new parents moved out of their home in Nottingham’s Cottage in Kensington Palace, where they have lived since Meghan joined the Royal Family last November, in favour of Windsor’s Frogmore Cottage. In January, ITV reported that the big move happened in March, before Meghan’s due date. It was later confirmed in February 2019 that the couple had officially moved into their new home at Frogmore Cottage.
Prior to giving birth, Meghan celebrated the exciting occasion with two separate baby showers. One in New York City with Amal Clooney, Abigail Spencer and Gayle King in attendance. The Duchess of Cambridge later held a private shower back in London.
The last time we saw the Duchess before giving birth was following the Christchurch terrorist attacks when the Duchess made a surprise appearance at London’s New Zealand house.
Congratulations to the new parents!
