Prince Harry and Meghan will go against royal tradition and keep out of media spotlight when their baby arrives.
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Thursday the young royals will not follow in the footsteps of Prince William and Kate and instead keep details of their first child private until after they have settled in together.
Rather than posing for photos outside a hospital, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will remain behind closed doors for a short while after welcoming their first child into the world.
“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,” the palace said in a statement shared online by ITV Royal Editor Chris Ship.
“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.”
In the post shared on Twitter Ship claimed Meghan will opt for a home birth like the Queen who gave birth to all her children at either Buckingham Palace or Clarence House, however, this is yet to be confirmed by the royal family.
“So no Lindo Wing photocall like William and Kate. No announcement which hospital Meghan has chosen or whether she wants a home birth,” he wrote.
Ship added: “Not a huge surprise. When Louis was due, the media was given the plans more than 2 months before his birth. Harry and Meghan have decided, with just days to go before the due date, they do not wish to share their plans with the public.”
The decision to remain private about the baby’s arrival is a stark difference to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who remained in the media spotlight after welcoming their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The doting parents were photographed outside of the hospital where the children were born shortly after their arrival. This was usually announced weeks before the baby was due.
The announcement from the palace comes just a week after it was reported the couple have moved out of their previous residence.
Following months of anticipation, it was revealed Harry has officially moved into Frogmore Cottage with Meghan, the BBC reported.
It’s thought the couple wanted to ensure they were moved in before the birth of their baby – with the tranquil country setting offering Meghan a relaxing escape from the spotlight in the weeks before she gives birth.