Rich traditions surround a Royal baby
Now that Kensington Palace has officially confirmed that Meghan Markleand Prince Harry are expecting their first baby, everyone has royal baby fever. This little bundle of joy won’t be arriving until Spring 2019, but people are already talking about if there are any royal pregnancy “rules” the Duchess is expected to follow. According to CNN Royal Commentator Victoria Arbiter and royal historian and expert Marlene A. Koenig, there aren’t any “rules” per se, but these are some royal traditions the future parents are likely to abide by:
- The Queen was probably the first person to be told about the pregnancy – Arbiter says that out of respect for Queen Elizabeth II – aka Harry’s grandmother and head of state – she was probably the first to know that her eighth great-grandchild was on the way.
- It’s a royal family tradition for royal babies to be christened in the same gown - It’s not so much a rule, but all little ones down to Prince Louis have worn the same christening gown, a copy of the original 1840 Honiton Lace gown worn first by Queen Victoria’s first child.
- It’s unlikely Meghan will have a baby shower - Koenig points out that baby showers are “largely something done in North America, not in the UK,” but she says the Duchess can get baby gifts and her American and Canadian friends may have a shower for her. She says it’ll be up to Meghan and that it has nothing to do with being royal, baby showers just aren’t a UK tradition.
- Harry and Meghan may not find actually out the sex of their baby beforehand - This is a personal choice, but E! Reports that Princess Diana did learn the sex of both her kids before they were born, but kept it private, and we’re betting that’s probably what this couple will do, too.
- Traditionally, royal babies tend to have a minimum of three names - The Queen has three names (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) and her son Prince Charles has four (Charles Philip Arthur George), Will and Kate’s kids have three names, like Princess Charlotte is actually Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Arbiter says “the baby can have as many names as they would like, but three are most likely.”
Source: Insider