What is Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s birth plan? A home birth like Queen Elizabeth, or a suite at LA’s Cedars-Sinai like Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham and Beyoncé?

May 25 , 2021

Meghan Markle and her possible birthing option of Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles. Photos: Cedars-Sinai, Vax Live

The whole world is on baby watch as Meghan Markle approaches her due date. But just how will this birth be different from her last? Well, she’s on home soil this time around. And that means she calls the shots – including not having to primp herself up for the world just a few days into her postpartum journey.

So just how will the newest royal baby be welcomed? Will Meghan follow in Queen Elizabeth’s footsteps and have a home birth, or will she opt for a fancy Hollywood hospital like some of her celeb pals? Here’s what you need to know about Meghan and Harry’s birth plan.

Due date

The countdown to the birth of a royal baby girl has officially begun. Meghan and Harry have not given an exact due date, but did tell Oprah in their bombshell interview they are expecting the arrival in the summer. New York Post reports Meghan is officially on maternity leave towards the end of May.

A home birth?

While Meghan was pregnant with Archie, it was thought she may be having a home birth. But the couple did not follow royal protocol and announce when she had gone into labour. It was only when Archie’s birth certificate became a matter of public record that the world found out he was born at London’s Portland Hospital, the same hospital where Sarah Ferguson gave birth to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their son Archie. Photo: @meghanmarkle_official/Instagram

Finding Freedom, a royal biography, claims Meghan originally considered a home birth, but in her final trimester she decided to deliver in a hospital.

Now rumours that Meghan may have a home birth for her second child have emerged. Prince Harry and Meghan own a nine-bedroom mansion in Montecito, California that they bought for US$14.5 million. Along with a tennis court, teahouse, children’s cottage and pool, it also has a two-bed guest house for when visitors stay over. Page Six cites a close friend saying Meghan feels comfortable in her home and thinks it’s a beautiful setting to welcome her baby girl.

As the couple have remained fiercely private about their personal lives, the home birth option would also limit any leaks about news of Meghan going into labour.

Details on Archie’s birth

Although no two births are the same, details around Archie’s birth could provide some clues about what to expect. Meghan and Harry stayed at home until contractions progressed. Vanity Fair reports the birth was “relatively straightforward” and that they were taken to hospital by their security team. Archie was born at 5.26am.

They were discharged on the same day and returned to Frogmore Cottage. Harry later made an appearance in front of the press and said the couple had still not named the baby. He said the baby had been a “little overdue”.

The hospital has suites that feature a separate lounge area and en suite bathroom, and reportedly has a selection of rooms reserved for royalty and other VIPs that cost around US$28,000 a night.

The famous Hollywood option

A maternity suite at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai hospital. Photo: Cedars Sinai

Many Hollywood celebrities have given birth at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, from Kim Kardashian to Victoria Beckham and Beyoncé. The hospital is known for its luxury birthing options.

According to Medical Health News, the VIP suite in hospital can start from US$4,000 a night. Some of the benefits include a doula, free meal delivery service and bathrobes.

The Hollywood Reporter claims the three-bedroom, two-bathroom units, particularly rooms 3127 and 3129, are the most well known to host celebrities. The suites offer doulas 24/7 and have space to accommodate security staff.

Maternity leave

After her last pregnancy, Meghan took some maternity leave but still made time to work. During her time off she guest edited British Vogue. Although Harry was there for the birth of his first child, days later he had to leave to the Netherlands for an official work engagement, Vanity Fair reported.

The magazine reports the couple have cleared their schedules this time around: both Meghan and Harry will be taking leave and will make the effort to spend time together so they can bond as a family.

No protocols

Unlike other royals, Meghan and Harry did not announce where or when Archie was born. The media is usually informed when a royal goes into labour, but the couple did things their own way and refused to adhere to tradition.

They did agree to a photocall in Windsor Castle where Archie was introduced to Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Doria Ragland, Meghan’s mum, before his official introduction to the world.

The queen officially announced Archie’s arrival with a note displayed on an easel on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

Considering the baby girl will be born on US soil and the couple have stepped back as senior members of the royal family, no protocols are expected to be followed this time around. In fact, because of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s not known when the royal family will meet the newest member of the family.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

During their interview with Oprah Winfrey, the British royals said their new daughter is due this summer – but where will the birth take place?
Meghan had Archie at London’s Portland Hospital – where Sarah Ferguson had Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie – and broke protocol with no labour announcement