Harry and Meghan Are Expecting, Baby Due Spring 2019

[JuliannaVictoria]

So German media "accidentally" reported the entire Operational Note from Buckingham Palace (some information was embargoed).

They will have a photo call a few days later with a Rota journalist, a photographer and TV camera. The Long Walk will be open to the press as soon as Meghan goes into labor, and it will be open for 72 hours to the press.

[Yeine]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

The decision won't help them win any popularity contests with the press or public, they are senior royals after all at this stage.
The press will over the sussex kid for the rest of her or his life anyway. No privacy will change that. The Sussex won't be King and Queen but they have the US media interest on their backs forever.
I am sure all this 'we want privacy' while in reality they only want to pick and chose what suits their image or their interest best will not do them any favours and will only create more headlines of extravagance.

In what way is it an extravagance for a new mom to want a day or two to recuperate after childbirth? Anyone who'd begrudge her that needs to do some serious work on themselves.

I don't understand the fuss. They aren't shunning the photocall entirely. They're just doing it in a way that prioritises the well-being of the new mom, as it should be.

[Denville]

But other royal mothers can spend a few mintutes showing off the baby. After all she will go home to a nanny, servants and as much rest as she needs. She will be on maternity leave which means she wont be seen in public for months if she does not want to...

[wyevale]

other royal mothers can spend a few minutes showing off the baby.

She clearly intends to difference herself from her Sister-in-law [in this respect].
That is her absolute right, of course, but it will not pass un-noticed, nor unremarked.

[ACO]

Originally Posted by Denville

But other royal mothers can spend a few mintutes showing off the baby. After all she will go home to a nanny, servants and as much rest as she needs. She will be on maternity leave which means she wont be seen in public for months if she does not want to...

And she is “showing off” the baby. There will be a photo call. So what is the issue exactly?

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by Denville

But other royal mothers can spend a few mintutes showing off the baby. After all she will go home to a nanny, servants and as much rest as she needs. She will be on maternity leave which means she wont be seen in public for months if she does not want to...

The question is should they have to mere hours after giving birth? And should it be in a situation where there are a lot of chaos around. Try to organize and block the street as you may, the situation outside of the hospital has always been chaotic with so many people around.

Besides, the baby will be shown a few days after the birth. Is it really that urgent that people see the baby the day of? In fact, I think hospitals are keeping first time mothers at the hospital for 3 days for observation in US now.

Originally Posted by wyevale

She clearly intends to difference herself from her Sister-in-law [in this respect].
That is her absolute right, of course, but it will not pass un-noticed, nor unremarked.

And what would the remark be just because the baby isn't shown outside of a hospital on the same day with people screaming and all? The Queen herself didn't do photo calls in public hours after birth of her children. The way I see it, this is starting to seem more like a return to tradition.

BTW, didn't you say your interest begins and ends with if the child is healthy when the possibility of skipping the photo call came up a few days ago?

[Ista]

Originally Posted by ACO

And she is “showing off” the baby. There will be a photo call. So what is the issue exactly?

I suspect that the issue is that the photo call will not be handled in the expected way. The expected way is the parents appearing at the hospital, either for a full on photo-op, or being snapped on the way out. I'm sure everyone will adjust to the new rules of engagement, but it is a change, so therefore the grumbling.

There's no rule that the Sussexes had to do things the expected way, but it's also not surprising that doing things their own way results in some commentary, negative or positive.

[Yeine]

Originally Posted by Denville

But other royal mothers can spend a few mintutes showing off the baby. After all she will go home to a nanny, servants and as much rest as she needs. She will be on maternity leave which means she wont be seen in public for months if she does not want to...

Every woman's experience with pregnancy and childbirth is unique, why should other women's choices have any bearing on what Meghan chooses to do? Her body, her choice. Would a two-day wait really be such a hardship for the British public?

[Empress Merel]

Originally Posted by Denville

But other royal mothers can spend a few mintutes showing off the baby. After all she will go home to a nanny, servants and as much rest as she needs. She will be on maternity leave which means she wont be seen in public for months if she does not want to...

It's her body, her birth and her baby. If she doesn't want to stand in front of photographers just mere hours after pushing a human being out of her womb, more power to her. It's ridiculous she is basically being bullied into doing something that doesn't sit well with her.

[ACO]

Originally Posted by Ista

I suspect that the issue is that the photo call will not be handled in the expected way. The expected way is the parents appearing at the hospital, either for a full on photo-op, or being snapped on the way out. I'm sure everyone will adjust to the new rules of engagement, but it is a change, so therefore the grumbling.

There's no rule that the Sussexes had to do things the expected way, but it's also not surprising that doing things their own way results in some commentary, negative or positive.

That’s just sounds like entitlement to me. The Sussexes are doing the same thing just on a smaller scale. They not keeping anything from anyone. People acting like they own this baby which is ridiculous.

[Dman]

I don’t know why some folks are getting so upset. We’re going to get the announcement of Meghan going into labor, we’re going to get the announcement of the baby’ Birth and we’re going to get a photocall at Windsor. The only difference is that we’re not getting the coverage outside the hospital. Seems like a great plan to me.

[wyevale]

begins and ends with if the child is healthy

I did, and it does.. other 'fans' are desperate to see this child [not least your compatriots], even if i'm not.
It just seems oddly 'retiring' of a woman SO used to courting publicity, and [presumably] one inured to flash photography and crowds, to suddenly be so coy..
But [as I said] it is absolutely her right..

[Zaira]

Originally Posted by wyevale

I did, and it does.. other 'fans' are desperate to see this child [not least your compatriots], even if i'm not.
It just seems oddly 'retiring' of a woman SO used to courting publicity, and [presumably] one inured to flash photography and crowds, to suddenly be so coy..
But [as I said] it is absolutely her right..

I think dont being used to being in the spotlight naturally equates to you wanting to stand in front of hundreds of photographers after giving birth.

As it is, Meghan isn't acting shy or retiring. The public will get to meet the new baby in what is arguably a much more personal and intimate way with the photo-call in their own garden.

Its certainly different, but it is a compromise.

[CrownPrincessJava]

Originally Posted by Empress Merel

It's her body, her birth and her baby. If she doesn't want to stand in front of photographers just mere hours after pushing a human being out of her womb, more power to her. It's ridiculous she is basically being bullied into doing something that doesn't sit well with her.

This x1000000000!

Just because she's giving birth to a royal child does not mean she loses the ability of choice. It's Meghan's body going through the miracle of birth. It's her choice on her recovery.

I had only wished Catherine did the same, because it would have sent a very clear message that even the future Queen consort will not bow to a pathetic made-up tradition and not succumb to the want of a media circus who are suffering from extreme entitlement.

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by wyevale

I did, and it does.. other 'fans' are desperate to see this child [not least your compatriots], even if i'm not.
It just seems oddly 'retiring' of a woman SO used to courting publicity, and [presumably] one inured to flash photography and crowds, to suddenly be so coy..
But [as I said] it is absolutely her right..

And yet I've not seen my compatriot express nearly the upset. And given we now have more information on the actual plans, we will see as much as we saw of the Cambridge children, but in a less chaotic way. I'm also a bit tired of being used as the reason why others think Sussexes are wrong (because the fans will be so upset). We are ok with this actually.

As for courting publicity, she courts publicity as much as any member of the BRF who conducts engagements.

[Ista]

Originally Posted by ACO

That’s just sounds like entitlement to me. The Sussexes are doing the same thing just on a smaller scale. They not keeping anything from anyone. People acting like they own this baby which is ridiculous.

I don't disagree. The question was why are some of the press/people are annoyed, and the simple answer is because it's not what they were expecting, or are used to, and the result is irritation. The BRF do so, so many things as a matter of tradition, so when there's a change, there's always an outcry. And then the new thing becomes the new norm, and we all move on.

[Erin9]

I don’t get why this is even an issue. There’s still a photo call, it’s just a couple of days later. Who cares. IMO of course.

Not too long ago people were upset when they thought all they’d get was a photo on instagram. Well what people are actually getting is far more than just a private photo.

[Duchess of Wakanda]

Originally Posted by Erin9

I don’t get why this is even an issue. There’s still a photo call, it’s just a couple of days later. Who cares. IMO of course.

Not too long ago people were upset when they thought all they’d get was a photo on instagram. Well what people are actually getting is far more than just a private photo.

Meghan and Harry are much better people than I, because after seeing today’s reaction, I’d be printing a retraction tomorrow and would only release a IG photo with only half of the baby’s head and none their face visible.

Then again I’m a private person.

[DuchessMia]

I’m thrilled for Meghan. The whole presentation is completely ridiculous considering what women go through during delivery. The press op in the gardens will be a nice backdrop for the presentation. I hope Omid is chosen as the RR and their wedding photographer for the pictures.

[Abbigail]

Originally Posted by Dman

I don’t know why some folks are getting so upset. We’re going to get the announcement of Meghan going into labor, we’re going to get the announcement of the baby’ Birth and we’re going to get a photocall at Windsor. The only difference is that we’re not getting the coverage outside the hospital. Seems like a great plan to me.

Exactly. I love it, especially the personal touch of having the photocall at Windsor. With the way some people are taking this news, I have much more respect for Meghan for being bold enough to try something different and go with what best works for her. Now I look forward to the birth day, finally meeting Baby Sussex and learning his or her name.