Latest
MUM'S THE WARD
Meghan Markle’s secret hospital dash with Harry before giving birth to 7lb 3oz boy at exactly sunrise
MEGHAN Markle's dreams of a home birth were shattered as she was forced to make a secret hospital dash with Harry to give birth to a 7lb 3oz boy at the stroke of sunrise.
The Duchess of Sussex, 37, had a smooth delivery at 5.26am on Monday morning — the moment of daybreak over their home in Windsor.
23
23
23
- Meghan Markle went into labour late on Sunday night and gave birth at London's Portland Hospital at 5.26am
- Mum and baby are back home at Frogmore Cottage with Harry and gran Doria
- The couple will show off the new arrival on Wednesday
- Meghan's estranged dad Thomas spoke of his pride at his new royal grandson
- Arthur and Albert are the current favourites for the new royal baby's name.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry had been preparing for a home birth at Frogmore Cottage in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
But late on Sunday the Duchess was driven to the exclusive Portland private hospital in central London by Harry and their Scotland Yard security team.
Meghan remained in the £15,000-a-night hospital overnight before going into labour in the early hours of Monday morning.
ELEVENTH HOUR DASH
Sources said the operation to get Meghan - who was a week overdue - to the clinic was so secret that even senior royals weren’t told.
Within hours of the dawn birth, the couple were back at Frogmore where Harry, 34, gave an impromptu press conference to break the news to the world.
The beaming dad couldn't stop gushing as he announced Meghan had given birth to a "very healthy baby boy".
Speaking from Windsor, Harry said: "It's been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined.
"How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension. But we're both absolutely thrilled.
I'm so incredibly proud of my wife.
Prince Harry speaking after the birth of his first child
"We're both absolutely thrilled and so grateful for all the love and support from everybody out there, it's been amazing, so we just wanted to share this with everybody."
Prince Harry said they were still thinking about names but would show off their baby to the world in two days' time.
The Duke of Sussex, who was present for the birth, added: "I'm so incredibly proud of my wife.
"And as every father and parent would say, your baby is absolutely amazing.
"But this little thing is absolutely to die for so I'm absolutely over the moon.
He later joked how he'd only had "about two hours' sleep".
23
23
23
23
Birth of royal baby formally announced on Buckingham Palace easel
The couple later thanked the public for their support and kindness during this "exceptionally joyful time in their lives" on Instagram.
A framed notice of birth has gone on display on a ceremonial easel on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.
Meghan's mum Doria Ragland, who is said to be "overjoyed" by the arrival of her first grandchild, is currently staying with the couple.
The 62-year-old is said to have landed in Britain last month well before Meghan was due to give birth.
Sources close to the family have said that Doria wanted to be by her daughter's side for the event - especially as Meghan, 37, is classed as a "geriatric mum".
POSSIBLE C-SECTION BIRTH
Sun doctor Carol Cooper had said previously it was more likely Meghan will have opted for a caesarean because of her age as she warned about the dangers of older mums giving birth.
She said: “As far as the labour goes, she is only 37 and if you are in your mid-thirties and you are eating healthily, exercising regularly and you are fit and are the right weight as she seems to be, there is no reason why she should have significantly more complications than a younger women.
“But statistically there are higher risks."
'World-class' birthing unit
The Duchess of Sussex may have planned a home birth but London's exclusive Portland Hospital was a savvy back-up option.
Meghan was following in the footsteps of pal Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell and Fergie, Duchess of York, in giving birth at the Regents Park unit, where a basic delivery costs upwards of £15,000.
Harry will have been pleased to hear that partners are able to stay overnight with breakfast ‘at no extra charge’ – though it sounds like the new parents dashed back to Frogmore House as soon as they could.
It’s not clear the Duchess would have been there long enough to enjoy it, but new mums are promised hotel-style treatment – with an en-suite bathroom, air con and high-quality meals all thrown into the pricey plan.
Inside the hospital where Meghan Markle gave birth which will set you back £30,000 for maternity care
BABY'S SEX A 'SURPRISE'
Meghan's dad, Thomas, who has been frozen out by Meghan, today spoke of his pride at the birth of the baby - his sixth grandson.
He told The Sun: "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 honour.
"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."
The baby's sex was a surprise for the delighted couple, who chose not to find out what they were having.
The newest addition to the Windsor family is a first cousin of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and a fourth grandchild for the Prince of Wales.
Harry is still expected to carry out an engagement at The Hague on Thursday to launch the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games, his Paralympic-style event for injured service personnel.
23
23
23
23
Prince William and Kate shared their joy at the news, writing on Instagram: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted with the news of the birth of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's son today, and look forward to meeting the latest addition to the family."
Prime Minister Theresa May said: "Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the arrival of their baby boy. Wishing you all the best at this happy time."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: "Congratulations to Meghan and Harry on the birth of their baby. I hope they're all doing well."
also sent her best on this "joyful occasion".
Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer, Harry's uncle, tweeted: "Really very lovely news today - many, many, congratulations! (Good to have another Taurean in the family....)".
Former First Lady Michelle Obama led a wave of congraulations from across the pond, writing on Twitter: "Congratulations, Meghan and Harry! Barack and I are so thrilled for both of you and can't wait to meet him."
While Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who married the couple in May last year, said: "May God bless the new family with love, health and happiness."
PRIVATE BIRTH
The couple previously announced they would be keeping the arrival of the baby private.
It was not the only royal tradition Meghan and Harry broke for the birth of their first child.
The couple shunned the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London where the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to her three children.
The wing has been favoured by British royalty since 1977 - with Princess Diana giving birth to William in 1982 and Harry at St Mary's in 1984.
23
23
23
PREGNANCY RUMOURS
Kensington Palace announced the pregnancy on October 15, 2018, five months after the couple married in a glittering ceremony at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
News they were expecting a baby was announced at the start of the couple's busy 16-day tour to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.
Meghan then let slip she was expecting in April during a trip to Birkenhead as she met locals in the during her and Prince Harry's first joint engagement of 2019 on January 14.
ROYAL LOVE STORY
Meghan Markle broke hearts across the world when it was officially announced on November 8, 2016, she was dating Prince Harry.
The glamorous actress, who played Rachel Zane in legal drama Suits, met her Prince after being introduced by Soho House director Markus Anderson at the Invictus Games.
But it wasn't until February that fans caught a glimpse of the couple as pictures emerged of the pair hand-in-hand in London.
On May 6, 2017, Meghan made her first public appearance as a royal girlfriend when she proudly watched Prince Harry playing polo in Berkshire.
Then in September, the pair were pictured together in Toronto as they attended the Invictus Games with Meghan's mum Doria.
23
The couple announced their engagement on November 27, 2017, after Harry received the blessing of Meghan's parents - Doria Ragland and Thomas Markle.
He even designed the engagement ring himself using a diamond from Botswana and two stones from Princess Diana's jewellery collection.
WEDDING FIT FOR A PRINCE
In their first-ever joint interview, which aired following the official announcement of their engagement, Harry told the BBC: "I'd never even heard of her until this friend said 'Meghan Markle' - I was like 'right OK give me a bit of background.'
"I'd never watched any of Suits. I was beautifully surprised when I walked into that room and saw her.
"I thought I'm really gonna have to up my game, sit down and make sure I have good chat."
23
They tied the knot on May 19, 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, which is where Harry was christened when he was three months old.
Since then, the couple have been on whirlwind royal tours to Morocco and Australia as they continue to throw the royal family into the 21st century.
NAME GAME
Royal fans are eagerly waiting to see what the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will call their newborn son.
Members of the royal family traditionally opt for conventional, regal names with a nod to history, but forward-thinking Harry and Meghan may want to do things their own way and pick something more modern.
The child will be eligible for dual British-U.S. citizenship if Meghan and Harry want to go through the application process.
MOST READ IN NEWS
Diana had been expected to be among the names for a girl in tribute to Harry's late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, but he could decide to honour her by using Spencer - the princess's family name - as one of his son's names.
Other options could include Charles, after the Prince of Wales, Philip, after the Duke of Edinburgh, or royal favourites James, Albert, Frederick, Arthur or even Henry - Harry's actual first name.
Royal fans in Windsor express their delight at news Meghan Markle has given birth to a baby boy
23
23
23
23
23
23
23
Topics