Meghan Markle gives birth to a 'healthy' boy

LONDON: Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has given birth to a boy, her husband Prince Harry announced in a statement to television cameras on Monday, adding that mother and baby were “doing incredibly well”.

“I am very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a little boy early this morning — a very healthy boy,” a beaming Harry told reporters in Windsor.

“Mother and baby are doing incredibly well. It’s been the most amazing experience I can ever possibly imagine.”

Buckingham Palace said the boy, seventh in line to the throne, was born at 0526 local time (0426 GMT), weighing seven pounds and three ounces.

“The Duchess’s mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with Their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage,” it added.

It added that Prince Harry was present for the birth.

 

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We are pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their firstborn child in the early morning on May 6th, 2019. Their Royal Highnesses’ son weighs 7lbs. 3oz. The Duchess and baby are both healthy and well, and the couple thank members of the public for their shared excitement and support during this very special time in their lives. More details will be shared in the forthcoming days.

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on May 6, 2019 at 6:37am PDT

“How any woman can do what they do is beyond comprehension,” Prince Harry said in his brief comments.

“We’re both absolutely thrilled and so grateful for all the love and support from everybody out there.”

Call for privacy

Prince Harry and Meghan revealed they were expecting their first baby in October, at the outset of a 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

Commentators at the time believed the baby, Queen Elizabeth II’s eighth great-grandchild, was due in late April.

The 34-year-old prince and Meghan, 37, reportedly opted for a home birth at their new Frogmore Cottage residence, on the grounds of Windsor Castle west of London.

The move breaks with the tradition followed by Prince Harry’s brother William and his wife Kate, whose three children were all born in the private wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London.

Buckingham Palace also said last month Prince Harry and Meghan wanted to keep the arrival of their first child “private”.

That also contrasted with William and Kate, whose newborns were immediately shown off by the couple in front of the world’s media.

They have three children: five-year-old Prince George, Princess Charlotte, 4, and one-year-old Prince Louis.