Meghan Markle broke 3 royal pregnancy rules – here are 9 traditions and protocols all British royal parents should follow, from skipping baby showers and travel to keeping the baby’s sex a secret

Jun 24 , 2021

Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, accompanied by Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland, showing their newborn baby son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Windsor Castle in May 2019. Photo: AFP

Did Markle tell Queen Elizabeth about her pregnancy first? The duchess broke three other protocols, including revealing Lilibet Diana’s sex to Oprah Winfrey

The royal family made an exception by announcing Kate Middleton’s pregnancy with Prince Louis earlier than the 12-week mark due to her morning sickness

There’s so much mystery and curiosity around the British royal family that every little detail grabs the attention of the masses. From the time they led an empire on which the “sun never set” to today when they continue to represent Britain on the world stage, there is no denying the world’s curiosity for this most unfathomable family.

In fact, even in pregnancy – a deeply personal experience – royal women have had been under scrutiny for a variety of reasons. And that’s exactly why it’s not easy living that life. Sure it has perks, but it also comes with restrictions that you need to adhere to and traditions that you need to uphold – or not, in the extreme case of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.

The official christening photograph with Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with their son Archie, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Doria Ragland, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle in July 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE

Not an easy cup of tea, we’d imagine.

To ease your curiosity, we’ve compiled a list of 9 royal baby traditions and protocols that are actually a thing.

The queen gets to know about the pregnancy first

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth smiles as she attends day three of the Royal Ascot horse racing meet, in Ascot, west of London, in June 2019. Photo: AFP

According to tradition, the queen is always the first to know about who’s joining the royal family by virtue of birth. While it’s not an overt rule, the queen is the family matriarch and gets to know first about a pregnancy or birth.

The royal family keep the baby’s sex a secret

The royal family assemble in all their finery. Photo: AFP