THE ROYAL TREATMENT
GOLD Coast newborn bubs Ava Howard (left), Reef Radford and Taylor Speedie might not yet know what all the fuss is about, but were yesterday given the royal treatment after timing their arrival with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s baby boy.
THE Duchess of Sussex did not get her wish for a home birth after a last-minute dash to a London hospital but she did manage to keep it a secret.
Meghan slipped out of her home, Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, in the dead of night to a London hospital, believed to be the $28,000-per-night Portland where she delivered a healthy baby boy, weighing 3.26kg.
The Royal Family, former US First Lady Michelle Obama and television star Ellen DeGeneres have been among the billions of people who have wished the royal couple happiness at the arrival of the royal who will reshape The Firm.
The Queen, who lives just a few hundred metres away, Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall were expected to be among the first visitors as new details emerged about the royal baby boy’s mysterious birth.
The plan was shrouded in secrecy, with even senior royals being kept in the dark.
The world’s media was camped out the front of Windsor Castle, with bright TV lights ready to brodcast any movement. But Meghan and Harry, with their Scotland Yard protection team, slipped out one of the 15 gates at Windsor Castle’s under the cover of darkness.
The home birth plan was ditched as concerns grew that she needed hospital care because she was more than a week overdue.
The baby boy was born at 5.26am on Monday local time.
Full details about the birth will be revealed when the birth certificate is issued in several days.
The world is due to get its first glimpse of the baby boy when photographs are released tonight Australia time.
Prince Harry, the picture of an excited father, said he may also reveal the baby’s name with Arthur and Alexander the favourites with bookmakers.
“Still thinking about names,” a smiling Harry said outside Windsor Castle announcing the birth.
“The baby’s a little bit overdue, so we’ve had a little bit of time to think about it, but that’s the next bit.
“But for us I think we’ll be seeing you guys in probably two days’ time as planned, as a family, to be able to share it with you guys so everyone can see the baby.”
Prince William and Kate were ecstatic, saying they ouldn’t wait to meet the baby.
“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted with the news of the birth of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son today and look forward to meeting the latest addition to the family,” a post on their @kensingtonroyal Instagram page said.
Michelle Obama tweeted: “Congratulations, Meghan and Harry! Barack and I are so thrilled for both of you and can’t wait to meet him. #RoyalBaby”.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and opposition leader Bill Shorten also offered their congratulations to Harry and Meghan on the arrival of the baby boy who could reshape the debate for a republic in Australia.
Mr Morrison said the baby’s official gift from Australia would be a collection of iconic May Gibbs’ books Snuggle Pot and Cuddlepie.
Mr Shorten said he would send books by Australian indigenous artist Bronwyn Bancroft.
Prince Harry will travel to The Hague on Thursday to announce the countdown to the Invictus Games, while Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland will be on hand to give her support at Frogmore Cottage.
STILL THINKING ABOUT NAMES. THE BABY’S A LITTLE BIT OVERDUE, SO WE’VE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT, BUT THAT’S THE NEXT BIT
NEW DAD PRINCE HARRY