Breaking tradition: Prince Harry and Meghan release statement about "private" birth plan for royal baby
Buckingham Palace has released a new official statement about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The pair are expecting Baby Sussex any day now, and people have been curious as to whether or not they’ll pose for photos outside the hospital hours after the newborn's arrival, like Duchess Kate and Princess Diana.
In the statement, the Palace confirms that the family will be “celebrating privately”. It reads:
"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."
Although the Sussex’s aren’t breaking protocol by not taking the photos outside the hospital, they are breaking a long-standing tradition.
9Honey’s Royal Columnist Victoria Arbiter isn’t surprised by the announcement.
She told 9Honey:
"They've been clear in their desire for as private a life as possible for their baby, but they're also aware that, given their popularity, interest in their baby is going to be especially intense.
"By controlling access from birth they are avoiding any kind of mixed messages and I think it likely that they will take a zero tolerance approach with regards to those who try to invade their child's privacy.”
With the Sussex’s moving into their new home at Frogmore Cottage and the home undergoing extensive renovations to prepare for the new baby, the child is expected in late April.