As April creeps by, many royal watchers have been awaiting some big news. We've been told for some time now that the Duchess of Sussex would welcome her first child this month. Hawk-eyed fans have since been watching Harry and Meghan's every move.
There's been a lot of speculation about which royal baby traditions the two will agree to and which ones they'll pass on. So far, the general belief is that Harry and Meghan's firstborn might not be welcomed at the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital. The apparent change of the usual venue has left many questioning whether we'd get the first glimpse of Baby Sussex like we've gotten of practically every other royal child born in modern history.
Harry and Meghan are setting the record straight themselves via a statement released by Buckingham Palace. In it, they reiterate what they've made clear many times before: The couple, who values their privacy, won't be doing things the old-fashioned way, so everyone will have to hang tight until they're good and ready to introduce Baby Sussex to the world.
From the moment they announced their engagement, the world has been fascinated with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The royal couple did things their own way from jump.
Harry and Meghan were both older at the time of their marriage than most royal couples have been. You may recall the gossip around Charles and his advancing age prior to him marrying the much younger Lady Diana.
Harry married at 33, making him a year older than his father was when he exchanged vows with his mother. Meghan, who is older than Harry, was 36 at the time of their wedding.
Of course, Harry and Meghan are living in a very different world than that of Charles and Diana. Still, their ages contributed to rumors that they would try to start a family as soon as possible.
Royal watchers began guessing that Meghan was expecting late last summer. Those rumors reached a fever pitch when Meghan was spotted at Princess Eugenie's wedding. Just days later, the couple confirmed they were expecting.
Harry and Meghan have been vocal about wanting normalcy for their child. In opening up about his mother's death, Harry has mentioned that some of his fondest memories with her were when she took him and William to do something "normal," like go to Disney World.
As Meghan's due date draws closer, fans and media outlets have speculated about which bits of tradition the couple will follow and which they won't. There have been conflicting reports about whether or not Harry and Meghan will welcome their baby at the St. Mary's Hospital's Lindo Wing, where William, Harry, and all three of William's children were born. It seems unlikely, since there's a hospital closer to their new home at Frogmore Cottage.
It has also been reported that the Sussexes may not hire a nanny (or team of nannies) for Baby Sussex right away. Meghan's mom, Doria Ragland, will help them early on, although they look forward to being hands-on parents.
Many hoped that the couple would allow more details to be released as the due date draws nearer. A new statement from Buckingham Palace suggests quite the opposite.
"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very grateful for the goodwill they have received from people throughout the United Kingdom and around the world as they prepare to welcome their baby," the statement begins.
Certainly, everywhere Harry and Meghan have been, the excitement has been palpable.
The statement continues with what's surprising to some, but ultimately very fitting considering Mehgan and Harry's attitudes about balancing royal life and normalcy.
"Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private," the statement continues.
That means it's unlikely that Meghan will go through hair and makeup to present her baby to the world shortly after birthing him or her, as sister-in-law (and future queen) Kate Middleton has done three times in the past.
We'll have to wait and see whether the announcement of the birth is posted outside Buckingham Palace, although it probably won't be as immediate as with other royal births if it does happen.
The statement concludes, "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."
Per People, the palace would not confirm whether Meghan intends to give birth at home at the newly renovated Frogmore Cottage or in a hospital nearby.
While their call for privacy may bum out royal watchers of the real-time age, it's ultimately a good and understandable move for the family.
Media coverage has grown significantly from the time William and Harry were born. It's not just posing for a few pictures in front of a few photographers anymore. It's a worldwide media frenzy that has to be overwhelming for a woman who has just given birth — and of course, for a newborn baby.
Surely, Harry and Meghan are making the best decisions for their new little family, and we can all appreciate that!
