Meghan Markle’s dreams of a home birth were reportedly scrapped last night after she was rushed to hospital to have her first son.
Speaking today, Prince Harry described how his baby boy ‘is absolutely to-die-for’ as he announced that he and the Duchess of Sussex had welcomed a child.
A thrilled Harry, speaking on camera at Windsor Castle’s Royal Mews, revealed that Meghan had given birth early on Monday morning and it was the ‘most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined’.
The as-yet-unnamed baby boy, who was overdue, was initially believed to have been born in the sanctuary of Frogmore Cottage – the Sussexes’ home on the Windsor Estate.
However, according to the Daily Mail, Meghan was taken to a London hospital by Harry and their security team.
The move was apparently so secret, even senior royals were not initially aware.
Meghan delivered her baby boy – an eighth great-grandchild for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh – at 5.26am today, weighing 7lb 3oz.
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She is believed to have given birth in the Portland Hospital, where Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were delivered.
Congratulations flooded in from around the world following the birth, with Prime Minister Theresa May wishing the couple ‘all the best at this happy time’ and former US first lady Michelle Obama tweeting: ‘Congratulations, Meghan and Harry! Barack and I are so thrilled for both of you and can’t wait to meet him.’
Meghan’s former Suits co-star and onscreen love interest Patrick J Adams said: ‘Just heard that the world just got heavier by 7 pounds and 3 ounces. Much love to him and his incredible parents.’
Speaking earlier, Harry added: ‘I’m very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a baby boy earlier this morning, a very healthy boy.
‘Mother and baby are doing incredibly well. It’s been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined.
‘How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension but we’re both absolutely thrilled and so grateful to all the love and support from everybody out there.
‘It’s been amazing so we just wanted to share this with everybody.’
Harry was at his wife’s side during the birth and was clearly moved by the experience.
‘It was amazing, absolutely incredible and, as I said, I’m so incredibly proud of my wife,’ he said
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‘As every father and parent will ever say, you know, your baby is absolutely amazing, but this little thing is absolutely to-die-for, so I’m just over the moon.’
The palace confirmed in a statement: ‘Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex was safely delivered of a son at 0526hrs.
‘The baby weighs 7lb 3oz. The Duke of Sussex was present for the birth.’
The Queen and Philip, grandfather the Prince of Wales, and the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are all said to be delighted with the news.
The palace statement also mentioned the siblings of Harry’s late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a car crash when he was 12.
It said: ‘Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer have been informed and are delighted with the news.’
Meghan’s mother is with the new family of three at Frogmore Cottage.
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Thomas Markle, the duchess’ estranged father, has offered his congratulations to the royal couple on the news of their firstborn’s safe arrival.
Mr Markle, a former TV lighting director, told The Sun: ‘I am proud that my new grandson is born into the British royal family and I am sure that he will grow up to serve the crown and the people of Britain with grace, dignity, and honour.’
The duke and duchess’s Instagram account @SussexRoyal also announced the birth saying: ‘It’s a boy! Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to announce the birth of their child.’
The baby’s sex was a surprise for the delighted couple, who chose not to find out what they were having.
Later, Harry and Meghan thanked the public for their kindness via a post on Instagram which said: ‘Their Royal Highnesses thank you for your support and kindness during this exceptionally joyful time in their lives as they welcome their baby boy.’
The palace confirmed Harry will still go ahead with his official visit to The Hague on Thursday when he is due to launch the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games 2020.
The Sussexes’ baby will only be three days old, but Meghan has the help of her mother Doria as she adjusts to life with a newborn.
Royal fans are waiting to find out what the baby will be called, with Harry saying they had been working on it but were ‘still thinking about names’.