Harry, Meghan ‘absolutely thrilled’ about birth of baby boy
Posted May 6, 2019 6:10 am.
Last Updated May 6, 2019 9:34 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
LONDON — The Duchess of Sussex has given birth to a baby boy.
The 37-year-old, who was an American actress known as Meghan Markle before she joined the British royal family, went into labour early Monday, Buckingham Palace said.
The Royal couple’s son, who has not yet been named, was born weighing 7 lbs. 3 oz.
Harry said he was “incredibly proud” of his wife, and added the child was a little bit overdue — which had given them more time to contemplate names.
“This little baby is absolutely to die for,” he said. “I’m just over the moon.”
Throughout Meghan’s pregnancy, the couple never revealed the due date and said they decided not to find out the baby’s sex in advance.
Harry, who has said he wanted to protect his wife from intrusive media coverage, and Meghan have said they plan to keep many of the details of the birth private.
The infant is now seventh in line to the British throne and Queen Elizabeth II’s eighth great-grandchild. Harry is the younger son of Prince Charles — the next in line to the throne — and the late Princess Diana.
The birth marks the completion of Harry’s transformation from troubled teenager to committed military man to proud father. He has long spoken of his desire to start a family.
He and his older brother, Prince William, along with their wives, are seen by many in Britain as the new, fresh face of a royal family that had become stodgy and aged. They are raising the next generation of royals amid a genuine groundswell of public support for the monarchy.
Meghan in particular represents a change for the royals: She is American, older than her husband, divorced, and comes from a biracial background.
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She also achieved considerable success in her own right before agreeing to a blind date with Harry that changed both their lives. Meghan had an important role in the popular TV series “Suits” and had a wide following even before she joined the world’s most famous royal family.
The pair was married at Windsor Castle a year ago this month. In April, they moved from a house on the London grounds of Kensington Palace to Frogmore Cottage, which is on the property near Windsor Castle where they held their wedding reception.
Journalists and well-wishers have camped out for days in Windsor, about 35 kilometers west of London, awaiting the baby’s arrival. Kensington Palace has said the new parents don’t plan to pose for a photograph or appear in public with their baby for several days.
Officials say senior royals including Queen Elizabeth II have been informed of the birth, as has the family of Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana.
B.C. royal watchers delighted
Meantime, people from across the globe are reacting to news of the birth, with royal watchers in B.C. among them saying they’re delighted with the arrival of the little duke.
“We’re rather excited about the anticipation that has finally come to fruition,” President of the Royal Commonwealth Society of Vancouver Island, David Spence, said.
While the anticipation of the birth might be over, focus is now shifting to what the baby will be named and what title he will be given.
“It’ll be up to her majesty, and to the baby’s parents, whatever title or titles might be coming forth his way.”
Spence believes the baby’s American-British heritage will expand global appreciation and respect for the royal family. The child is eligible for dual British-U.S. citizenship if Meghan wants to go through the application process.
“This will open up some global network of understanding and appreciation, respect of diversity as well as inclusivity,” Spence added.
