Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be celebrating their baby’s birth ‘privately’

With the constant scrutiny endured by Meghan Markle, one can easily see why, after so much time spent pregnant in the public eye, she would want a step back.

The hysteria around the birth of Prince Louis still remains fresh; paparazzi camped outside a hospital for days, the ‘Royal Baby’ countdowns a constant on Sky News and Kate, a full face of makeup, hair styled, heels on, clutching a bundle tightly – mere hours after giving birth. Doing her royal duty diligently to be sure but as a woman and mother, the ask of that almost seems grotesque in nature.

So, is it any wonder, that Meghan Markle has decided to avoid all that? Several newspapers have already proclaimed their obvious distaste at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (specifically Markle) “shunning” Royal protocol “again” but it has been confirmed; neither she nor Prince Harry will stand and display their first-born for the world to see.

Related: Meghan’s rumoured home birth: Unnecessary trial or the most rewarding way to have a baby?

 The couple is expecting their first child this spring, with the due date believed to be in the coming weeks. In a statement shared on Thursday morning, the Palace confirmed details of the birth will be kept private until they are ready to share their happiness.

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very grateful for the goodwill they have received from people throughout the United Kingdom and around the world as they prepare to welcome their baby. Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private. The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family.”

NEW: Buckingham Palace have released a statement ahead of the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s #RoyalBaby. #HarryandMeghan are keeping plans for their newborn under wraps and further news will come after they’ve celebrated “privately as a new family”. Full statement: pic.twitter.com/gkaGJMOUOO

— James Brookes (@jamesbrookes_) April 11, 2019

What has been asked – demanded/expected of – Kate is a pointless, unrealistic display of parenting perfection and one has to admire Markle for standing firm.

The birth of a child is emotional and complex, Markle can’t control very much but what she can do is decide who sees her baby and when.

She isn’t “shunning” anything.

She’s admitting that giving birth is no easy task – and that the last thing on her mind will be to indulge strangers or adhere to ridiculous protocol, royalty or not.

And more power to her for it.

Main photograph: @GodgoblessI