The royal family used to bore me but I'm now hooked on Harry, Meghan and their new baby - here's why

'Meghan is exactly what the royal family needed'

Hands up who else had zero interest in the royal family until recently?

Nonplussed by Kate Middleton and Prince William’s growing brood and a bit bored with copious royal wedding coverage, I will however admit that I’ve become very excited about the birth of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s baby.

In the past I was confused as to why the country wanted to celebrate complete strangers getting married or having a child, something which seemed very far removed from my own life.

Don’t get me wrong, a nationwide day off was a welcome perk for most. But I just didn’t relate to these people; whatever their position in the monarchy.

Plus, the elitist ideology of the general public bowing down to those born into a life of privilege genuinely irritated me.

But then in 2016, a shift slowly began. I was a massive Suits fan, so when news of the then actress dating Prince Harry broke, I was intrigued. Quite clearly a woman who knows and understands the challenges adversity brings; Meghan is the breath of fresh air our royals needed.

A mixed-race divorcee from the US whose parents also divorced during her childhood, she raised a few eyebrows within die-hard royalists, aka racists with no concept of modern reality.

This 35-year-old woman who’d carved out a successful career in Hollywood suddenly made life a bit more interesting in the world of royal news reports.

Watching Harry and Meghan’s wedding in May 2018, Reverand Michael Curry led the service without previous stiff upper lip-infused proceedings, but instead brought excitement. Hope, even. The first African American bishop of the Episcopal Church, Curry himself knows a thing or two about setting precedent. This time I was interested in tuning in.

With that the royal family seemed to be finally moving into the present day, embracing diversity at last. My attention piqued. There’s no question Meghan’s personal journey exudes relatability. Her family rift will have resonated with many, and as Markle siblings sold their stories, it became clear she’s had to deal with her fair share of what you could call real life.

As the marriage entered its first year, the media was awash with stories about Meghan being ‘difficult’ or bossing Harry about. A clear theme emerged – traditionalists couldn’t cope with a strong royal woman having her own opinions. I warmed to Meghan even more.

After the pregnancy was revealed, it was announced there would be no commemorative memorabilia for baby Sussex. This step into parenthood was to be one marked by the couple’s own rules, and as such, an official due date wouldn’t be released either.

Despite my indifference, I did squirm each time Kate and William presented their newborn to the world on the Lindo Wing hospital steps. Having given birth twice, I honestly can’t think of anything worse. I get that Kate will have had the entire world’s hair and makeup team at her feet, but the idea of a post-birth walkabout seems positively barbaric.

So, when it was announced that Harry and Meghan would forgo this particular form of paparazzi torture, I cheered. That is how invested in their welfare I’d become.

A picture shows an official notice set up on an easel at the gates of Buckingham Palace announcing the birth of a son to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (Getty Images)

Subsequently annoying nosy traditionalists all over the shop, it felt like when I’d requested loads of random relatives didn’t visit me straight after birth. A few people were annoyed, but my husband and I knew we’d done what was right for us.

With Meghan wanting to give birth her own way, I felt relieved their privacy could be quietly protected for the first few hours of that precious newborn bubble. And when Prince Harry joyfully emerged on Monday afternoon, clearly delighted as any new dad would be, his informal speech exuded warmth and approachability. So un-royal, was my first instinctive thought.

Crediting all mums, Harry exclaimed “how any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension”. And with that I felt like I was well and truly invested in this family. Why, thank you, Hazza, I appreciate the compliment. Please do send my best to your lovely wife.

In short, Meghan is exactly what the royal family needed, joining Harry by taking us into a brand-new era with them. And now their new baby makes three, I for one, can’t wait to go along for the ride.