FROM throwing a lavish baby shower, to sharing their happy baby news on Instagram, it's no secret that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have their own way of doing things.
Unlike Kate, Meghan’s labour was a relatively low-key affair announced several hours after the Duchess of Sussex had delivered her first born.
Here Fabulous Digital looks at all the ways that Meghan and Harry broke from tradition with the arrival of Baby Sussex – including shunning the Lindo Wing tradition and reportedly making their child one of the youngest ever to go on a royal tour.
THE BABY SHOWER
Meghan not only held a baby shower, but threw an extravagant £300,000 party at one of New York's most expensive hotels.
Far from keeping her shower under wraps – amid reports Kate Middleton had a small, private one ahead of Prince George's birth – Hollywood A-lister's descended in force for Meghan's shower.
The five-day affair, in her native America, saw lavish gifts and decorations arriving as Meghan partied with her celeb pals, including Serena Williams and Jessica Mulroney.
And when it was all over, the mum-to-be hopped on Amal Clooney's private jet home.
Royal expert, Victoria Arbiter, previously said baby showers were virtually unheard of for royals.
She said it's because they're: "Very wealthy… a lavish baby shower would be seen as highly inappropriate. There's nothing they can't go out and buy themselves".
MEG’S IN LABOUR
The public first learned that Meghan had gone into labour just before 2pm afternoon when it was reported by Sky News.
Royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills said: "It was in the early hours of this morning when the Duchess went into labour and the Duke was by her side."
This is a huge break from what we would expect from the royal household with all three of the Cambridge births being announced by the palace – this is the case for most royal labours.
HEIR ALREADY!
However, the announcement that Meghan was in labour came over eight hours after the baby had actually been born.
The couple’s newborn son arrived at 5.26am according to the official Sussex Royal Instagram account, revealing they had welcomed a baby boy weighing 7lbs 3oz.
In keeping with tradition the ceremonial bulletin was placed outside Buckingham Palace shortly after the birth was announced.
This differs from Kate’s labour, when the palace would make an official announcement once she had gone into labour and then once again once she had delivered the child.
The bulletin also failed to mention the physicians who helped with the birth – which is tradition for royal baby announcements.
SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE
Known as the royal family’s most “woke” member it was speculated whether Meghan may announce the birth of her baby over Instagram.
And that was proven to be the case when the news was posted on the Sussex Royal account on Monday afternoon.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxH36irhwcO/
We are pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their firstborn child in the early morning on May 6th, 2019. Their Royal Highnesses’ son weighs 7lbs. 3oz. The Duchess and baby are both healthy and well, and the couple thank members of the public for their shared excitement and support during this very special time in their lives. More details will be shared in the forthcoming days.
A post shared byThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on
The couple shared a simple blue background featuring the words “It’s a BOY! Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to announce the birth of their child.”
The image was captioned: “We are pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their firstborn child in the early morning on May 6th, 2019.
“Their Royal Highnesses’ son weighs 7lbs. 3oz.”
The palace officially announced the birth of Baby Sussex shortly after.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh6mjxIBpBg/
The bulletin has been placed outside Buckingham Palace formally announcing the birth of the The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s new son. The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 1101hrs.The baby weighs 8lbs 7oz.The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.
A post shared byKensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on
While the birth of Prince Louis was posted on the Kensington Royal Instagram account, it wasn’t done so until several hours after his birth when a photo of the bulletin outside Buckingham Palace was shared.
NO PHOTO FINISH
With all three of the Cambridge babies Kate and William posed for photos on the steps of the Lindo Wing in what has become an iconic tradition.
However, Meghan is yet to be seen, and is currently recovering at her home of Frogmore Cottage where she is joined by Doria Ragland.
Shunning the £7,500-a-night Lindo Wing where Kate Middleton gave birth, The Duchess is said to have welcomed Baby Sussex at London's luxurious Portland hospital.
While reports speculated that she longed for a home birth, Harry along with his Scotland Yard security team is said to have driven his wife to The Portland – where Victoria Beckham welcomed her children – on Sunday evening.
Done in secret, not even senior members of the royal family were made aware.
Following the birth, new dad Harry made an appearance, when he spoke to the press from his home in Windsor.
A beaming 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.
"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."
TAKING THEIR NEWBORN ABROAD
Meghan and Harry are reported to be taking their new baby on a royal tour of Africa later this year, making their child one of the youngest ever to go on a royal tour.
A royal source told the Sunday Times the proposed Africa tour, requested by the government, has been scheduled for two weeks in October.
The source added: "They hope the royal baby will be with them but will make a decision nearer the time.
"Potentially, Meghan and the baby could do some, if not all, of the trip."
Kate Middleton and Prince William took future king George on his first trip to New Zealand at just eight months old, in 2014.
While Princess Diana also took Harry away at six months – although his was a much shorter flight to Venice, Italy, in 1985.
The one tradition the couple has chosen to keep is the announcement of the baby’s name which will come in the next few days once the Queen has been told.
Elsewhere we told you how Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's royal baby won't be a prince – unless the Queen steps in.
We also revealed Meghan followed these royal pregnancy rules as she and Harry prepare for parenthood.
And we showed you how Meghan and Harry spent two hours shopping in a herbal wellness centre that uses healing chants and practises numerology.
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