A slightly strange complaint here in a headline. That Harry and Meghan – variedly the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Mr. Windsor and Ms. Markle dependent upon who you want to understand is being talked about – are keeping the birth of their imminent child private. Well, yes, we’d rather hope so. The days when royal births were public occasions are thankfully long gone.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Royal superfans criticise Harry and Meghan’s ‘disappointing’ decision to keep birth private as they vow to arrive in Windsor anyway[/perfectpullquote]We do rather expect that the expectant can have a little privacy these days. The couching bed isn’t, as it used to be, a public spectacle.
There is an amusement in the headline as well. In that it seems to bear no relationship to what the royal fans are actually saying:
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] Margaret Tyler, 75 is originally from Hertfordshire, but moved to London to be closer to the Royal family. She has amassed an incredible collection of royal memorabilia, including a commemorative jar of pickles and an entire room in her home dedicated to Princess Diana. Another stalwart of royal celebrations she says she will miss the party atmosphere enjoyed so many times before. “It’s disappointing that we aren’t all going to meet up because we have such a fun time. People bring chocolates and drinks and we all look out for each other. It is a party time for us. “But Meghan is the one having the baby so it is no party time for her. She wants to bond with the baby. Its her body, its her baby so we had to go along with it. “I have no plans to travel to Windsor, but as soon as there is an announcement, I’ll be there.” [/perfectpullquote]She’s said it is disappointing for her but that she’s got no criticism as it is Meghan’s baby and that’s that. But I do love the idea of a celebratory jar of royal pickles.
But to the privacy thing. There was indeed a time when there would be a little commission of peeps assembled for such a birth. Perhaps more a French thing than English but still. When who owns the country is determined by which uterus the next King pops out of it was considered important to check which uterus a babby popped out of. Thus a committee of the Great and Good to check, in the minutest detail, which uterus and associated ladies bits the babby did pop out of.
Meghan’s being spared that because, you know, we allow even royals to give birth in privacy these days. We no longer insist that royal labia gain as much exposure as those of Stormy Daniels.