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With Duchess Meghan’s pregnancy running past her due-date, her dreams for a homebirth were reportedly dashed, when she was secretly taken to hospital on Sunday by Prince Harry and their Scotland Yard Security team.
The 37-year-old welcomed a baby boy with Prince Harry at 5.26am on Monday May 6th (UK time), which was announced via the official Sussex Royal account a few hours later.
And while there had been reports Meghan had been hoping for a homebirth, should all things run smoothly, according to royal correspondent for The Daily Mail Rebecca English, Meghan was taken to hospital the day before in circumstances so secret that not even the senior royals were told.
According to the Daily Mail, Meghan was whisked away to a hospital on Sunday. (Image: Getty)
English understands that Meghan was taken to a hospital in London, most likely Portland Hospital, where Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were born, and while it’s not known whether she was induced, sources told the publication that she remained there overnight, with Prince Harry and her mother Doria Ragland by her side.
Sources at Buckingham Palace confirmed to the Daily Mail that a hospital birth had indeed taken place.
Meghan took a notably different approach to the birth of her child in comparison to her sister-in-law Duchess Catherine, opting to forego the press photo call following the birth, and choosing to instead introduce the baby a few days later, once her, Harry and the family had time to celebrate privately.
Following the birth of all three of her children, Prince George, now 5, Princess Charlotte, 4 and Prince Louis, 1, Kate and Prince William fronted the media just hours after the arrival of their children.
Prince William and Kate with a newborn Prince Louis on the steps of St Mary’s Hospital, just hours after the Duchess had given birth. (Image: Getty)
The trip to hospital would’ve dashed Meghan’s long-held hopes for a homebirth, however it’s likely because she is over the age of 35 there would have been concerns of a higher risk of complications once she passed her due date, with Prince Harry confirmed during his brief, excited announcement to the press, that their son had arrived later than expected.
Harry and Meghan are expected to introduce the new royal baby to the world in two days’ time, and it is thought the couple will also announce their son’s name at the same time.
Prince Harry was visibly excited as he announced the birth of his first child – a boy! (Image: Getty)
But what will the young royal’s title be?
Probably not prince, as royal tradition dictates that the Queen’s great-grandchildren don’t automatically get given the HRH title. The Queen made an amendment to this with the birth of Prince William’s children as he and his children are direct heirs to the throne, after the Prince of Wales.
However, according to the Daily Mail, unless the Queen makes another exception for Prince Harry, it’s more likely that Harry and Meghan’s son will be referred to as the Earl of Dumbarton (one of Prince Harry’s lesser titles after Duke of Sussex).
If the couple have a daughter in the future, she will be called Lady [her first name] Mountbatten-Windsor.
The eldest son will then inherit Harry’s dukedom when he dies.
Well, only time will tell, and it looks like we’ll know very soon.
