How Meghan and Harry Are Handling Baby Sussex's Debut Shows the Start of a New Era
Throughout her pregnancy, it was clear that Meghan Markle intends to try and have as private of a life as possible for Baby Sussex. The family will always be in the spotlight, of course, but she and Prince Harry took a big step to avoid the noise by moving out of London to live at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. "I think one of the real reasons they're moving to Windsor is to get out of the goldfish bowl that is Kensington Palace," royals expert Katie Nicholl told Glamour at the time. "They're escaping to the country to have more privacy."
Now that the baby is here, Meghan and Harry seem to be sticking with the plan. After the palace announced the child's birth on Monday, May 6 through a standard Instagram, the Duke of Sussex gave a short update to the press. Alone.
In the interview, he revealed that the couple won't debut their baby or the name until two days from now. And they'll notably do so from their home in Windsor, not as soon as they're discharged from the hospital—which Prince William and Kate Middleton famously did for all three of their kids.
For many moms, myself included, it’s a refreshing change for the royal family. Kate’s post-birth photos have been criticized in the past for, uh, not exactly being a realistic depiction of the postpartum experience. These photos of Kate, below, were taken a few hours after Prince Louis was born, and she looks like she's on her way to a breezy brunch.
While I totally get that Kate might want to get a photo opportunity over with so she can go home and relax with her family in solitude, I find myself breathing a sigh of relief that Meghan opted out. Waiting two days for a photo might seem like a small difference, but I know every hour really does count in those first few days after having a baby. Right after I gave birth, my midsection was too sore to even wear the sweatpants I had brought to the hospital. By the time I went home, though, I could wear jeans. I think Markle is smart (and, honestly, more relatable) for allowing herself and her body some time to rest and recover.
Which is why it was also great that Harry—and Harry alone—delivered the update on the family’s behalf. For one thing, I hope this meant Meghan got a few precious minutes to herself while all the attention was on Harry’s speech. I know from experience that having even a few moments alone after birth goes a long way toward helping recharge your exhausted body.
I can only speak for myself, but it feels so personal having Harry announce the birth of their son direct to us all on camera. Wonderful to give Meghan time to recover too.
It feels private but also inclusive. Well done Sussexes.
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For another, you can see in Harry’s absolutely joy-filled interview that he is truly in awe of his wife and the incredible physical feat that is giving birth. He even marvels that “how any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension.” It's refreshing and progressive to see a new father, and a royal one at that, acknowledge how much freaking work it takes to have a baby.
I'm not alone in my opinions. "It feels private but also inclusive," one Twitter user wrote about the birth announcement. "Well done Sussexes." Another wrote, "I swear I think Prince Harry is a feminist—the way he honored his wife and his abiding respect for what women go through was so sweet."
I swear I think Prince Harry is a feminist — the way he honored his wife and his abiding respect for what women go through was so sweet, just have to say
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Prince Harry was so perfect when he announced the birth of his son. Aside from being obviously overjoyed with becoming a father, he complimented his wife & ALL WOMEN who have the will/stamina to carry a child to term & deliver it. He is a true feminist ... he should be cloned.
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Naturally, everyone will be waiting to see those first pictures of the new royal baby, and I’m sure Meghan’s hair will look just as perfect as Kate’s always does. For now, though, I'm pleased they’re getting some time out of the spotlight to bond as a family. As Nicholl told Glamour, "I'm sure we will get a picture of the three of them in some shape or form, but I think after that they're just going to want to retreat to their new house and shut away from the world. For a while, at least." I hope that's true.
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