Everyone rolled their eyes at Page Six’s report this week that the Duchess of Sussex planned on having a “home birth” with Lil’ Montecito. I feel the same way about that report as I did about all of the dumb reporting around her pregnancy with Archie: it’s none of our business, leave her alone, stop trying to make these private family decisions a public conversation. Well, Vanity Fair did a follow-up and while they’re not hearing anything specific about Meghan’s birthing plans (thank God), their sources do say that both Meghan and Harry plan to take “leave” when their little girl arrives.
After scrapping plans for a home birth for baby Archie, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are now planning to deliver their second child, a girl, at their home in Montecito. Sources have also told Vanity Fair that the Sussexes both plan to take leave following the birth, so that they can spend proper time together as a family.
Page Six first reported the new plans for a home birth, with a source saying of Meghan, “She has a beautiful home in California, it’s a beautiful setting to give birth to her baby girl.” Before Archie’s birth in 2019, there were plans in place for a birthing pool at Meghan and Harry’s home at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. But when the baby was a week overdue, they scrapped the plan in favor of a safer hospital birth; Archie was born at London’s Portland Hospital on May 6. It is understood that Meghan’s labor with Archie was fairly straightforward, which means there should be no issue with planning a home birth for their daughter.
Meghan’s representatives did not comment on Page Six report, but sources close to the couple confirmed that they plan to take both paternity and maternity leave when their little girl arrives. “They will both take some proper time off,” a friend said. “It will be the summer and they want to make sure they both take their leave so they have some real quality time together once the baby arrives.”
Something I’ve been thinking about a lot is how traumatizing Meghan’s first pregnancy must have felt – she was about three or four months along when the first round of smears began, and throughout her first pregnancy and beyond, there was a discomforting amount of rage and character assassination towards her and around her. This pregnancy must feel like such a do-over, a mulligan. They didn’t even announce the pregnancy until she was far into her second trimester, and they’ve just been chilling out in Montecito, working on their terms and doing what they want. I hope they do take the summer off work-wise and they have a proper maternity leave and paternity leave. Something tells me that Bitter Island will be freaking out regardless of what they do or don’t do.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, WENN.
Are these photos new? The beige and blue dresses look very comfy.
No, they are from her last pregnancy.
Actually they are not “from her last pregnancy” as that pregnancy ended with a miscarriage. These dresses are from her first pregnancy.
@Harla – good catch. These are from her pregnancy with Archie.
This is her third pregnancy, the press and others should really acknowledge that.
Those are from her last pregnancy, I think all of the photos in the post with the exception of the last three (black dress and green coat and dress) are from their tour to Morocco, the one that was so hugely successful their schedule changed at the last minute bc the king decided he did want to have dinner with them. (remember how excited the british ambassador was about the visit? he was so cute on twitter, I still follow him, lol.)
That blazer and scarf look is one of my all time favorite looks for her.
I always smile at the Morocco tour because it seems like Meghan and Harry made an incredibly good impression. The British ambassador and his family were thrilled, the young Crown Prince looked a little dazzled by her, the King ended up changing their accomodations to one of the royal homes I believe, and then he had that get together where he invited some of his other family members to meet them. And all the engagements with Moroccan citizens and orgs were so good.
that blue dress is gorgeous
I hope she gives birth at Cedars-Sinai and then does an exclusive photoshoot with a few American media outlets of them departing the hospital. Let the British media suck on that.
I’m just happy she has the freedom to enjoy this pregnancy and do whatever she wants. The BM must be fuming as there will be no exclusives or papped photos for them to sell.
I totally agree with both of you, I am so very happy that the Sussexes are doing a lot of things on their terms this time around. And both page six and Vanity fair and their “royal sources” are full of it. Meghan said none of the Lindo wing, nor presenting their newborn were offered to them. So they didn’t have any choice in making any of those decisions. But remember that the same royal sources that are spewing crap now are the same ones that screamed the loudest about how the Sussexes DECIDED AND REFUSED to present their baby when none of that was true. The BRF would make certain decisions and choices for the Sussexes and then would turn around and say the Sussexes decided they don’t want this and that, while at the same time muzzling them and order them to not set any record straight. So, while its true the Sussexes might have refused to have Archie at the Lindo or even to present him to the vultures aka royal reporters, the fact is still that they were never given the opportunity to make those decisions on thier own. So, no. None of what VF and page six are reporting is true, we don’t know what the Sussexes’ plans were. Ofcourse there were plans made by the respective palaces but these vile royal parrots need to quit touting those plans like they were made by the Sussexes. And the Sussexes have said time and again that the “royal sources” nolonger represent them so said sources DON’T know jack shit about any birthing plans. Secondly the Sussexes are not engaging with any tabloids, VF included so, those their royal sources are just pulling stuff out of their butt and there’s absolutely no truth to anything said “royal sources” say.
Katie Nichols knows as much about the Sussexes plans as we do the commenters on this blog. She knows nothing. These Media hacks are so desperate to make people believe they have contacts and sources in the Sussex camp.
Katie Nichols was one of the press out there claiming “different versions” of the crying story. She was also claiming Charles was right to cut off paying for their security. She is one of the absolute last persons in the press the Sussexes would speak to and I’m sure their friends know this.
“She was also claiming Charles was right to cut off paying for their security’ at the same time that clearance House was claiming that Charles did not not cut Harry off financially. The Royal Reporters know absolutely nothing.
Katie Nicholl also bought info from hackers to write stories on Harry. She knows nothing. She is obsessed with Harry as well. Her articles on Meghan are nasty.
@ MsIam, this ☝️☝️☝️ X 1000!!
Katie Nichols thought South Africa has a Prime Minister. I guess she slept through all of Nelson Mandela’s PRESIDENCY?! She is an idiot, and lowers Vanity Fair’s reputation.
I see Katie Nicholls has her fake sources giving Captain Obvious “exclusive” info about the Sussexes again.
The effrontery of KN is incredible. She is the last person the Sussexes or people close to them will ever speak to. She should stick to reporting on TOD and his mannequin.
Good for them. I’m sure there will be a million stories about it. Maybe they will highlight the importance of maternity and paternity leave in America because it’s shit here.
Is this news? Maternity and paternity leave is lovely but not SHOCKING. Slow news day?
This. Like of course they are taking a “leave”.
I mean, you don’t need “sources” to tell you that they will take time off after the baby is born.
@susan im extremely happy that these royal reporters have absolutely no sources regarding the sussexes or any news on them for that matter. So they’ve resorted to writing captain obvious stories. I would be more pleased if they would just stop writing about them all together but this will do for now.
Yeah like of course they’re take maternity and paternity leave. It’s only a slow news day because they refuse to discuss the other royals.
I’m going to take another leap and say after the baby is born, Meghan is going to be exhausted but thrilled. I really need to offer my services to the royal rota. I’m an amazing reporter.
I’m so very happy that this round they get to do things their way with zero worries about racist families, foolish staff, zero leaks, and minimal stress. Bill can kiss Harry’s behind for the statue unveiling, he will be sticking in Montecito for a few months with his wife and kids.
I mean, I think mat leave is a little different when you own the company and are in charge and you make your own hours etc, but I also think it sets the standard for the culture at Archewell in the future, especially as it continues to grow. If the owners/founders/CEOs (whatever their titles) are taking leave after the birth of a baby, both the mother AND father, that bodes well for what the expectation is for the rest of the company and how they prioritize family in their work culture.
It definitely sets a reasonable expectation for staff and cultivates a good work environment.
The more photos I see of H&M during that time period, the more forced their smiles look. The only time I feel like the smiles are genuine are when they’re around people at their various patronages.
Harry especially— when I take closer looks at his photos, the unhappier and angrier he looks, and he just keeps holding Meghan’s hand like he’s really legitimately afraid he’s going to lose her.
I know what you mean. It really makes me sad to look back at pictures from this time now that we KNOW how bad it was – I mean I think at the time, we could see the stress and tension on their faces (especially Meghan’s, once she was in California it was like she was a different woman, in terms of how much more at ease she seemed). But knowing how close she was to the edge, I just feel so bad for them.
@Becks1 I actually thought she looked freer and happier before she even got to CA. while they were in Canada, she looked so happy while on her walk w/Archie despite the being caught in pap photos. Also, that trip to Stanford, they looked happy as well getting back on the plane
I’ve been thinking that too, Laraw. They were so dragged for holding hands, but now the extent of the abuse and harrassment they faced has come to light, it seems less stars-in-your-eyes romantic and more like “if anyone comes for you, Meg, they’re gonna have to go through me.” Absolutely, he was going to do whatever it took to shield her.
KN knows nothing. Educated guesses. Meghan will take off to recover and nurture her baby girl. Harry will probably take off to be with his wife and kids. Ooh, what a scoop! I’m just glad Meghan has been able to enjoy this pregnancy and that she remains healthy.
The Sussex spokesman should deny this stupidity.
No they shouldn’t. The press is fishing for info. Speculation on this is the least of their concern. No need to comment on it at all. Ain’t nobody’s business.
Another dumb story. Its not like the Sussexes commute to work everyday anyway. And we saw what Meghan did on her last maternity leave. I’m sure they will be working on projects and doing meetings like always. “Know nothing Nichols” strikes again.
“Something tells me that Bitter Island will be freaking out regardless of what they do or don’t do.”
Yeah, especially if Harry decides not go over for the statue unveiling.
I hope the statue unveiling gets postponed for another year tbh.
It probably won’t be unless the government steps in to shut it down due to COVID.
I still don’t think Harry should go. Things are still too heated in the UK and it’s too close to the baby’s due date. Harry should keep his ass at home and take care of his wife and new baby. Find another way to honor Diana on that day.
The press would act like a rabid pack of killer hounds out for blood the moment he sets foot on UK soul. Nothing good could come out of it.
@snuffles if he doesn’t go nothing good will come from it either. I agree I actually don’t want him to go but if the statue unveiling goes as planned and harry isn’t there everybody will be talking about how he’s disrespecting is mother. Not to mention that i think harry would want to be there. That is still his mother after all.
@Cecilia: Harry has a valid reason to not attend. He can send a message on the day of unveiling paying tribute to his mother. If the press want to attack him for deciding to stay with his wife and newborn baby or still perhaps still pregnant wife, so be it.
It’s early days yet when you think of vaccinations. Harry probably will have been vaccinated by July 1, but what about the people he will be around, airlines and then in the UK? I think if you have young children at home and a wife who probably has not been vaccinated, you will not go where you could possibly get exposed and take it home. Alternatively, he would have to quarantine. Can’t see him doing this.
Every single time i see katie nichols name i think about how she sat her ass on tv to say that harry once told a friend that his dream wife looks like meghan markle, while harry literally said in their engagement interview that he had no idea who she was prior to that first date.
Katie “im a liar” Nichols strikes again
Why is KN even talking about this? Not her turf anymore.
It never was. The Sussexes have never once acknowledged her existence.
She’s just guessing and it’s so dumb. The RR should stop reporting on them. I thought they were all up in harms about being called out for being racist hacks.
I’m so happy that they’re able to enjoy this pregnancy in a much healthier environment than they did with Archie.
I keep wondering what’s up with the podcast. I hope they’ve been recording episodes and are able to start airing them soon, even if they’re taking parental leave. It strikes me as a not-great business decision to soft-launch last December and then go silent on it. Podcasts require consistency.
I have thought the exact same thing. It is not a good idea to have launch then air anything for three months.
I just hope that racist family will ignore Archie, Meghan and Harry’s birthday and shouldn’t congratulate H&M for the birth of their daughter. We all know they hate H&m and their children.
I love that blue dress on Meghan. It looks so lovely as well as comfortable.
Here she goes again, knowing nothing. “Sources” that are real friends would NOT be speaking to the press, and especially Vanity Fair. God, that woman is shameless.
@cecilia Only haters would take it as an insult to Diana. The rest of the sane world would understand. Harry is literally the only one in that family who has TRULY honored Diana’s legacy. Anyone with common sense can see that. And I’m sure at one point Harry was keen to be there but the situation has become too toxic. It’s not worth it and he can easily find other ways to honor Diana.
He’s probably also getting sick and tired of the rotten press making money off him and his wife. Less exposure gives them less to write about.
If Harry goes to the unveiling of the statue, I hope he drives his own car, double checks his seatbelt, and wears a Kevlar vest. I wouldn’t put anything past these people.
The rota rats will lose it if Baby Girl Sussex is born on Diana’s birthday and a picture is released the day after. Even crazier if she is born on July 4th. Harry and Meghan may have already picked out the photographer. Love to see how the BRF handles the new baby’s birth.
Breaks my heart to see that when she was pregnant with Archie they fed her to the wolves. She was caring a life and william and the rest had no problems trying to destroy her and her unborn child life, may the British media, and will and all the rest of them that did it suffer for eternity.
I agree about giving them space and respecting privacy. I do hope they choose to release another pic before they have the baby – simply for the fashion 🙂
Meghan’s maternity fashion is awesome –
Thanks for choosing that pic of her from Morocco. It’s my favourite Meghan maternity look, that dress is so gorgeous and it brightens my day every time I see it 😍 the blue pattern is to die for 💖
(PS my fave non maternity Meghan look is the RAF black dress. that classic Meg neckline ✨)