Royal Baby: Experts discuss why Meghan and Harry are keeping birth of their baby private

Buckingham Palace said their Royal Highnesses 'look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family'

(Getty Images)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have chosen to keep the details surrounding the royal baby’s birth private, Buckingham Palace announced today.

This means that unlike royal couples before them, it's unlikely that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will announce when the Duchess has gone into labour or pose on the steps of the Lindo Wing at London’s St Mary’s hospital with their newborn, contrary to several royal births in recent years.

A statement from the Palace explains that the couple will share news of the birth with the public “once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family”.

This break away from tradition might’ve sent shock waves among royal fans, who have been preparing for news about the birth since Ms Markle’s pregnancy was announced, but many royal experts aren’t surprised by the decision.

In fact, as they tell The Independent, they saw it coming.

Here, royal biographers, commentators and historians explain why it makes sense that Ms Markle and Prince Harry decided to keep details surrounding the birth of their baby a secret.

Omid Scobie, royal commentator: ‘We know from sources that Meghan is quite nervous ahead of the birth’

“It doesn’t come as any surprise. Harry and Meghan have made it quite clear all along that they want to keep this birth a somewhat private affair. They know that everyone wants to celebrate with them, and they’ll facilitate that. But for that private, special moment, they want to keep it to themselves. We know from sources that Meghan is quite nervous ahead of the birth.

“Also, Harry is not a direct heir to the throne. He and Meghan are not producing heirs in the same way that the Cambridges are. For them, there is no protocol, no pressure to do things.

“When Kate and William have a fourth child, if they have a fourth child, they will very much go back to that moment outside the Lindo Wing.”

Penny Junor, royal biographer: ‘Harry saw what happened to his mother and his father’

“I think it makes total sense. Megan and Harry are probably both feeling pretty bruised by the negative commentary they’ve received from the media and online. It didn’t take very long for the media to turn against Meghan. So why should the couple put themselves out for people who are not being terribly nice to them?

“Harry saw what happened to his mother and his father, he saw how the media could reduce his mother to tears and did so on many occasions. It’s not surprising that he would withhold this.

“Plus, this child is not going to be an heir in all likelihood, it may not even have a royal title, or choose not to use its royal title. But it’s tough for the media because everyone is terribly excited.”

Sarah Gristwood, royal historian: ‘If a woman wants to keep her birth plans private than why shouldn’t she?’

“This announcement is further evidence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s very strong desire to do things their way. Both of them have been proving themselves very useful members of the younger generation of the royal family in recent years. Harry had a rockier start with his earlier years with various scandals, but in an impressive turnaround, he has proved to be one of the Royal Family’s greatest assets.

“As for Meghan, who is an American, a divorcee and biracial, she has brought a whole new element to the Royal Family. But announcements such as these show there’s a limit as to what she and Harry are going to give of themselves regarding their personal lives.

"However, the bottom line is that if a woman wants to keep her birth plans private, why shouldn’t she?"

Hugo Vickers, royal biographer: ‘Meghan will do it her way’

“This seems to me completely in character with the mother-to-be. She will do it her way.

“She is lucky that the home secretary no longer has to be present at royal births, a custom abolished between 1936 and 1948.”