Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have finally welcomed the birth of their first-born baby boy. The Duchess of Sussex delivered the child in the early hours of Monday, May 6, but the excited parents have yet to reveal his name.
Prince Harry faced the press gathered at Windsor Castle just outside their home at Frogmore Cottage hours after the birth to confirm Baby Sussex's arrival. It's believed that Meghan had a home birth, which reportedly drew laughs and criticisms from the world's top obstetricians and gynecologists (OBGYN).
According to Daily Mail, Meghan's labor and delivery was the topic at the annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in Nashville. Some of the doctors laughed when they learned that Meghan, who is 37 years old, gave birth with the help of a doula.
The ACOG doesn't recommend home births regardless of the situation. However, the practice is more accepted in the U.K., especially during the time of Queen Elizabeth's pregnancy. All of the queen's four children -- Prince Charles, Princess Ann, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward - went through home births.
But Prince Harry assured the public that their newborn is a healthy baby. However, he did not confirm if Meghan did have a doula during her labor.
"Mother and baby are doing incredibly well. It's been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined," the Duke of Sussex said, as per CNN.
Meghan skipped the photo-op traditionally expected of royal births. She and her husband made this clear a month before the baby arrived. They announced that they would be taking some time to show a picture of Baby Sussex because they want to enjoy this moment privately.
Royal watchers, however, argue that the protocols are more flexible for the Duke of Duchess of Sussex compared to Harry's brother, Prince William, who's lineage is direct in line to the throne. Thus, when Prince William's wife, Kate Middleton, gave birth to their children, she had to do the photo-op hours after the delivery for each baby.
Dickie Arbiter, the former spokesperson of Princess Diana, said that Kate is aware of her duties as the wife of an heir to the throne. If she didn't have a choice on the matter, then she must've come to accept that it was part of her role.
"If you're giving birth to the second in line to the throne then yes, it is your duty to come out and show him off," Arbiter said, as per Vox.
