Meghan you don’t get to claim ‘privacy’ after your star-studded baby shower and wedding that WE forked out £30m for – being a royal isn’t a part-time job
THE sea of grandmas waving Union Jack flags, heart-warming circus of live TV coverage, endearing shrieks of ‘town crier’ Tony Appleton and the adorable first family appearance on the Lindo Wing ‘steps’ – there’s nothing us Brits enjoy more than a royal birth.
So the announcement earlier today that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have decided to keep the birth of their first child “private” has rightly angered a nation fatigued by Brexit and desperate for the birth of a child who doesn’t bear the surname Kardashian.
We got the first hint that the couple had toyed with the idea of shunning royal baby birth protocol when The Sun‘s Emily Andrews exclusively revealed that the former actress, 37, was keen to avoid the Lindo Wing where both Kate Middleton and Princess Diana gave birth – and publicly posed – with all their children.
But we never thought that they were going to deny us the enjoyment of details of the birthing plan we have mused for so many months, an announcement that the little one has arrived safe and well, and a family appearance as soon as the Duchess is up to it that will be sure to put a collective smile on our faces.
“Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private,” was the line in Kensington Palace’s statement that we most certainly hadn’t anticipated after months of support given to Harry and Meghan – who has ensured her bump has been proudly on display at every photo opportunity.
Andrews explained on Twitter: “Once #Meghan is in labour, we will be told (like #kate) but the couple will keep where private & won’t be appearing “on the hospital steps” afterwards. There will be a photo op once they’re home.”
The sudden desire for privacy comes from a Duke and Duchess very happy to enjoy the other trappings of life as full-time royals.
Whether that be the tax-payer funded £30m royal wedding and £3m renovation of their new ten-bedroom home Frogmore Cottage, or the almost two million well-wishes on the social media announcement of the pregnancy, a star-studded £300k baby shower and £30k ‘babymoon’.
As revealed by their recent split from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s household and launch of their new Instagram account, Meghan and Harry are a couple who want to do everything their way, including raising their child as ‘gender fluid’, vegan or hiring a manny.
Such is their controlling nature that many believe they will announce the birth on Instagram in a post that is likely to rival ‘The Egg’ as the most liked of all time. Shrewd or selfish?
Yet, the rest of the royal family knows all too well just how important protocol is in ensuring our continued support.
Their births, marriages and deaths are key national events – moments that unite the country – and neither Harry’s mum Diana or Kate have denied the public the opportunity to feel like they are part of the happy occasion.
After all, the crowds who camp and queue so patiently at any engagements and other royal gatherings mean only well.
Wanting to shut out the adoring British – not to mention US – public from the birth seems so cruel and churlish given the adoration they have received.
And let’s not forget the allowances that have been made for the ‘floating’ yoga studio, £500k designer wardrobe and making Kate cry.
It is unsurprising that royal fans – who have been with Harry every step of the way since he was introduced to the world on the ‘steps’ in 1984, and his wife from the moment of their engagement – have shared their upset at the revelation.
Many have rightly argued that if Meghan wanted privacy, she should have got a job out of the limelight. Why on earth marry into the royal family?
One outraged royal fan wrote: “Did she never realise that her life will never be private by marrying a prince?! Now she is let to pick and choose which bit of this she likes!!! ….”
Another furious Twitter user commented: “They want royal privileges, taxpayers to fork out millions for their cottage renovation, security, pay for them and the baby for life but don’t want to share details until they are ready. Want privacy, sod off and fund yourselves #royalbaby #whocares”
A third shared: “Shame they didn’t do the same with the wedding… you can’t live the privilege life that WE pay for and cut us out when you choose… oh Harry!! What have you done.”
Another added: “Tiny bit gutted about this. I loved watching William and Kate with their newborns on the steps of the hospital waving to the crowds. I had hoped it would be the same for Harry & Meghan. Each to their own I suppose they are entitled to do as they wish #RoyalBaby”
And a sixth commented: “So.. You make a point to unnecessarily hold onto your stomach and show the baby off every chance you get and want all the attention on it for the last 9 months, but now you want everything to be private? Lol okay Meghan.”
But as Andrews explains: “Although this seems very different to what has gone before, ACTUALLY the only difference is where all the media will stand (the Long Walk)!
“We’ll be told once #Meghan has gone into labour and then when #BabySussex is born, and there will be a picture but just not immediately!”
However, it’s probably wise to prepare yourselves for the most carefully-planned Instagram post of all time…
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
Earlier today, we told you how Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will keep the birth of their baby private.
We also revealed how the Duchess of Sussex “wants to follow the Queen’s example and have her baby at home” in Frogmore Cottage.
However, one woman has argued that Meghan’s home birth will be nothing like the average mum’s with Prince Harry not required to hold the poo sieve.