Why Meghan Markle didn’t follow royal tradition with Prince Archie’s public debut days after his birth as her friend admits shock

Meghan gave birth to son Archie in 2019

Meghan Markle didn’t follow royal tradition when it came to her son Prince Archie’s public debut when he was born.

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, and husband Prince Harry, 40, welcomed their first child on May 6, 2019.

However, unlike some other royal couples, the pair didn’t stand outside the hospital with their newborn for a photocall. Instead, they introduced Archie to the world a couple of days after his birth in a photocall at Windsor Castle on May 8.

It’s a move that Meghan‘s first podcast guest has discussed in the debut episode, which launched on April 8.
Meghan and Harry introduced their son Archie to the world in a photocall at Windsor Castle days after his birth (Credit: Photo by Domic Lipinski/PA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Why Meghan Markle didn’t follow royal tradition with Archie debut

At the time of his birth, it was confirmed that Meghan wouldn’t pose outside the hospital wing with her newborn son.

It’s a tradition that both Princess Diana and Princess Kate have followed with their children. They both appeared outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital with their newborns. However, Meghan and Harry decided against this – a move that sparked uproar from some.

Speaking in their 2022 Netflix series, Harry & Meghan, the couple discussed their decision.

Meghan explained: “There was already the pressure of the picture with Archie on the steps, and ‘Are they gonna do that, are they not?’

“But I had been really worried going into that labour because I’m older and I didn’t know if I’d have to have a C-section. And I had a very long-standing relationship with my doctor and that’s who I trusted with my pregnancy.”
Kate and William stood on the hospital steps with all three of their children (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Meghan received ‘abuse’ over debut decision

The duchess continued: “And [the palace] said, ‘Right, but she’s at Portland Hospital and the steps are at this hospital.’ I said, ‘OK, we could do a photo call in front of Portland Hospital.’

“And they said, ‘It’s impossible. We couldn’t barricade these streets off, and it would create a threat for the emergency room entrance, because that’s where you would have to do this picture.’

There was already the pressure of the picture with Archie on the steps, and ‘Are they gonna do that, are they not?’

“We said, ‘OK, what’s the hybrid? Can we give them more time at the castle?’ And everything in turn was like, ‘Yes. Yes, great. Oh, yes.’ At no point did someone go, ‘Absolutely not.’”

Harry added: “The amount of abuse that we got, especially [Meghan], but both of us, for not wanting to serve our child up on a silver platter, was incredible.”

The Duchess of Sussex gave birth at Portland Hospital in London.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry didn’t follow royal tradition by posing on the hospital steps with their newborn son Archie (Credit: Photo by Domic Lipinski/PA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Confessions of a Female Founder podcast

Prince Archie’s world debut has also been discussed on Meghan’s brand new podcast – Confessions of a Female Founder.

The first episode of the new series dropped on April 8, featuring guest Whitney Wolfe Herd – the founder of dating app Bumble.

Whitney shared her thoughts on seeing Meghan step out with baby Archie in front of the world, just days after giving  birth.

The pair had discussed their battles with postpartum pre-eclampsia. It’s a potentially life-threatening condition where high blood pressure and elevated protein levels in urine develop after childbirth.

Whitney said to Meghan in the episode: “I mean, I’ll never forget the image of you after you delivered Archie. The whole world was waiting for his debut.

“I was either just becoming or about to become a new mum. I was like, ‘Oh my God, how is this woman doing this? How is this woman putting on heels and going and debuting a child in this beautiful outfit in front of the entire world?’

Read more: Meghan Markle forced to make apology after As Ever brand faces ‘incredibly embarrassing’ setback

“I could barely face a doorbell delivery for takeout food in a robe. I was like, ‘Please don’t look at me! Leave it down the street!’”

Meghan then said: “Can I be back in my cocoon?”