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As it happenedended

Royal baby news: Official Instagram account pays tribute to mums on Mother's Day

Buckingham Palace revealed that the Duchess of Sussex gave birth in the early hours of Monday morning

Prince Harry and Meghan speak for first time since birth of baby Archie

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In the early hours of Monday 6 May, the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a baby boy, with Prince Harry by her side.

A statement was released on the royal couple’s official Instagram account, revealing that the baby was born before 6am and weighs 7lbs. 3oz.

The first pictures of the couple with their newborn were revealed on Wednesday. The newborn was seen swaddled in a white blanket wearing a white hat.

The couple later announced on Instagram that they had named their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

Please allow a moment for the blog to load:

  ↵In addition to keeping the birth of the baby private, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will also be abstaining from another tradition surrounding the birth of a royal. 

Typically, the birth of a new royal is celebrated with official commemorative merchandise. 

However, the Royal Collection Trust has revealed there will be no merchandise available for purchase when the new royal baby is born. 

"We have no new ranges to announce," a representative told Business Insider.  

Chelsea Ritschel30 April 2019 17:31

As royal fans continue to guess what the name of the royal baby will be, bookmakers have revealed the name Allegra has seen an influx in popularity. 

The Italian moniker, a rumoured favourite of the late Princess Diana's, is now the sixth-most-popular name, according to bookmakers, with 12/1 odds. 

Or, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may choose a more traditional name for their unborn child, such as Albert - the most popular name for male members of the royal family. 

Chelsea Ritschel30 April 2019 19:17

With the baby due any day, it may share a birthday with its royal cousin, Princess Charlotte, who was born on 2 May 2015. 

Prince Louis, who just celebrated his first birthday on 23 April, was also born in the spring. 

The royal family commemorated Prince Louis's birthday by sharing photographs taken by the Duchess of Cambridge. 

Chelsea Ritschel30 April 2019 20:39

It appears the majority of the public supports the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision to keep details of their child's birth private. 

According to a YouGov survey, 75 per cent of respondents believe "they have the right to keep the details about the baby's birth private".

Just 12 per cent of survey participants said "the public has the right to know more details about the baby". 

Chelsea Ritschel30 April 2019 22:45

While Windsor has been surprisingly clear of crowds, there have been some royal fans who have shown up hoping to celebrate with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

On Twitter, ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship shared photos of one man who dressed in a flag-emblazoned suit on Tuesday. 

According to Ship, Terry Hutt was celebrating his 84th birthday - which he hoped to share with baby Sussex. 

In addition to a sign, Hutt also came prepared with one card for a boy and another for a girl. 

Chelsea Ritschel1 May 2019 00:45

It's been more than a month since the Duchess of Sussex has made an appearance in public, but that doesn't mean she is alone as she awaits the birth of her first child.

According to royal contributor Omid Scobie, Meghan has been receiving support from both the royal family and her own family and friends in the US, including her mother Doria Ragland and friend Serena Williams.

"She's still in very good spirits," Scobie told Good Morning America. "In fact she's been checking in with all of her friends back in the US, including Serena Williams."

Chelsea Ritschel1 May 2019 03:00

After the Duchess of Sussex has given birth, she is expected to enjoy at least three months of maternity leave before resuming her royal duties. 

But, according to Vanity Fair, the duchess has already planned ahead for public appearances after her maternity leave, the first of which, an annual summit for the charity One Young World, will take place in October. 

As for Prince Harry, the soon-to-be-father is expected to take some time off following the birth of his first child. 

Chelsea Ritschel1 May 2019 04:45

On Tuesday, long-time royal family fan Terry Hutt appeared in Windsor wearing a Union Jack-patterned suit and hat in the hope that the royal baby would arrive that day.

The reason? So that Hutt would share a birthday with Baby Sussex.

"I hope it's today! Meghan and Harry it's my 84th birthday today," the octogenarian's sign read.

One person described the dedicated royal fan as an "icon of our time".

sabrina.barr1 May 2019 07:15

  ↵

Several royal fans in Windsor have expressed their support towards the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision to enjoy a "private celebration" as a family following the birth of their child before sharing more information with the public.

"Even though they're royalty, I do believe they should have that special bond with their own child first, and then the public after," one woman said.

"[The duchess] is probably more used to the limelight from her position as an actress, but it's up to them I think," another individual said.

sabrina.barr1 May 2019 08:28

Oprah Winfrey has said she is "so proud" of the Duchess of Sussex's decision to keep the birth of the royal baby private.

"Oh my god, I'm so proud of her decisions," the media mogul told Entertainment Tonight.

"Do you know, to be able to stand up and say this is what I really want for my baby and my family and I’m going to do it a different way, when it’s been done that way for a thousand years?"

Winfrey added that she's "so proud" of Prince Harry and Meghan for sticking with "what is the truth for them" and "how they want to raise their baby".

sabrina.barr1 May 2019 09:40

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