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Harry Shines
The royal baby was born in the wee hours of Monday, weighing in at 7 pounds, 3 ounces, and, with Meghan quite sensibly insisting she didn’t particularly like the concept of facing the world’s media within hours of giving birth, it fell to Harry to face the cameras alone. That Harry would effectively make the statement announcing the birth of his son was a real surprise, and it added a very personal and human element to what had risked becoming yet another tabloid drama. There was no denying he absolutely aced it, hitting all the right notes, including proudly paying tribute to his “incredible” wife, and saluting, through her, all women who go through the rigors of childbirth. He said: “I am so incredibly proud of my wife. As every father and parent would ever say, your baby is absolutely amazing, but this little thing is absolutely to die for. So I am just over the moon.”
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The sequence was filmed in the Queen’s stable yard, and the gently nodding horses in the background added a tranquil and soothing if slightly bizarre touch.
Meghan’s Hospital Birth
As the Daily Mail revealed Monday night, Meghan Markle did not deliver her baby at home as she wished. She went to a private hospital—the Mail suggests it was most likely the Portland in London—where she gave birth, before returning home. Not even senior royals were told.
Name Game
We might get a name for the royal baby at the same time as he makes his first official photocall in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Wednesday. Our bet is that it will be Arthur, James or Alexander, as dummy html pages with these names were created in the last few weeks on the royal family’s website. Some tipsters are suggesting we could have a James. We don’t think reviving the conspiracy theories around James Hewitt is the best idea.
Home Birth?
Where was Baby Sussex born? The Palace won’t say, and despite the Mail claim of a hospital birth, there's still some confusion about whether Meghan got the home birth she had dreamed of. At first it looked like she did: when the announcement of the birth was made, it was noted that Doria, Meghan's mother, was with Meghan at Frogmore Cottage. Of course, returning home within eight hours of having your child is not exceptional these days, but it is interesting that no hospital workers have babbled to the press about Meghan’s labor. So far.
You Can’t Please All the People
The Palace managed to massively annoy the British royal press corps by announcing just after lunch that Meghan had gone into labor, then, just 48 minutes later, revealing that actually the baby had arrived eight hours before the first announcement was made. Hacks were left scratching their heads; most had assumed that the ‘in labor’ announcement was designed to give them enough time to get to the media village in Windsor, but 48 minutes is pushing it.
The irritation was sufficient to bubble over publicly: The Daily Telegraph’s Camilla Tominey revealed she didn’t make it to Windsor in time for the big announcement despite getting a taxi from London. Sky News’ Rhiannon Mills complained on air about the lack-of-arrangements, but Richard Palmer of the Express went all-out on twitter, writing: “Not that it will matter to most people but for journalists, the palace’s handling of that announcement was an absolute shambles. It would help if the press office spent more time worrying about keeping journalists informed and less time on Instagram and overseas organizations.”
The Rise of the Non-Royal Grandma
Just as Carole Middleton has been such a vital support to Kate, so Doria Ragland, Meghan's mom, is thought to have been with her for the birth of her child. Mother and daughter are extremely close, and Doria's presence underscores how central she is to family life.
Absent Grandpa
Meghan’s father, Thomas, whom she has cut all contact with since he gave a series of angry interviews to the press, made a dignified statement after the birth.
“I’m delighted to hear that mother and child are doing well. I am proud that my new grandson is born into the British royal family and I am sure that he will grow up to serve the crown and the people of Britain with grace, dignity, and honor. God bless the child and I wish him health and happiness, and my congratulations to my lovely daughter Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry, and God save the Queen.” It’s a great bid for one last chance.
