Meghan and Harry to keep birth of baby private

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have told aides to keep arrangements for the birth of their baby private, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The Daily Mail says that Meghan and Harry felt the Lindo Wing hospital in West London, the venue for the births of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's three children, was too much like a “goldfish bowl”.

Speculation is growing that the Duchess may be planning a home birth, Sky News says, but others news outlets have suggested they have viewed various private hospitals, so they have that as an option to call upon.

It is believed that Buckingham Palace will announce when the Duchess of Sussex goes into labour, but not comment on whether she has been admitted to hospital.

Then, a second announcement will be follow after the baby is born, when aides expect to be able to reveal details of the baby's gender, its birth weight and the place of birth. However, this statement is not expected to reveal the baby’s name.

There will be no public photocall, in contrast to William and Kate, who posed on the steps of the hospital to present their babies to the world only hours after they were born.

Only two days later, say reports, will the new parents and their child pose for photographs in Windsor.

Announcing the break from recent tradition, Buckingham Palace said the Duke and Duchess “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”.

The statement added that the couple “have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private” but “look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family”.

Meghan has also reportedly opted not to deploy the Royal House gynaecologists because she does not want “men in suits” supervising her birth.