The Rules Meghan Markle Has To Follow Now She’s Expecting

To the delight of millions Meghan Markle and Prince Harry recently announced they are expecting their first child! But a royal pregnancy is not like every other. Here are the many rules Meghan will have to adhere to now that she’s carrying an heir…

The Big Announcement

On October 15th, Kensington Palace proudly confirmed that Meghan Markle is expecting! As famous faces and fans took to social media to send the happy couple their well wishes, many were wondering, ‘what do the royals think?’

People Are Already Excited

Soon after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex exchanged vows in May 2018, the public began wildly speculating that Meghan Markle was with child. Just as the world had become captivated by their romance and subsequent wedding, it seems millions are invested in the couple beginning their very own family. 

Lots To Take Note

Being a royal and living in the public eye has both its benefits and drawbacks. While having a royal title gives one access, opportunity, luxury and exorbitant wealth, there is also a lot of responsibility that comes with the demanding role. There’s a hefty rulebook which the Windsors must adhere to, with Meghan Markle, now Duchess of Sussex, is also expected to comply to. Meghan is supposedly taking princess lessons – brushing up on the travel rules she has to take into account when going on official tours and the royal food rules she must follow when dining with the Queen. No garlic, everyone!

New Rules

This week a new rule emerged that Meghan would have to follow. In accordance with official royal protocol, the family must adhere to a strict dress code, reportedly having to dress in ‘smart casual’ attire at absolutely all times. The one key rule? No tracksuits. Meghan will have to bypass the leggings and maternity loungewear for designer dresses and fitted cardigans.

One Step At A Time

In November 2017, the couple sat down for a BBC interview in which they were asked about whether they currently thinking about having children. Prince Harry replied hastily, “Not currently, no… One step at a time.” As Meghan looked at him and nodded in agreement, he continued, “Hopefully we’ll start a family in the near future.”

What The Butler Thinks

Many others have shared their opinion regarding the couple’s future family. Earlier this year Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell stated: “Meghan wanted to be famous. Now she has that, but be careful what you wish for, because sometimes it’s not all it seems. Diana found that out at an early age,” he added. Paul also speculated as to when Meghan and Harry might fall pregnant, suggesting it will be soon. He said: “Yes absolutely they will have a baby in the first year of their marriage. There’s not much time left for Meghan, she’s going to have to get on with it. Two would be enough for Harry.”

No Excuses

One rule all royal parents must follow has been a religious custom for hundreds of years. They must baptize their children. The royal family baptizes their children in a special vessel that has been used by nearly every royal since 1841.

No Big Gender Reveal

These days it’s trendy to have an elaborate way to reveal your baby’s gender to your loved ones, but this is one modern tradition that royals would never consider to take part in. Though royals will happily announce a royal pregnancy to their followers, the public is entirely kept in the dark regarding the new royal’s gender. In fact, some sources allege that the expecting parents don’t find out until the birth either! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge reportedly didn’t know Prince Louis was a boy until he was born.

No Baby Showers Either

Now that Meghan Markle is pregnant, planning a baby shower will be unnecessary. Rather surprisingly, royals never have baby showers. Baby showers are not a common custom in the United Kingdom, but a royal baby shower is completely out of the question. Royal expert Victoria Arbiter explained to Express that royals are already “very wealthy,” so to throw “a lavish baby shower would be seen as highly inappropriate… There’s nothing they can’t go out and buy themselves.”

She Can’t Go Anywhere

The pregnant Meghan will most probably not return to the States to visit her mother or celebrate her bundle of joy with friends. Instead, they will probably come to her. This isn’t to say that she’d be restricted from traveling completely, in fact, most pregnant royals keep up engagements through most of their pregnancy. However, it is reported that pregnant royals are discouraged from travelling too much as a safety measure. Expecting royal mothers are encouraged to stay close to home in the event that emergency services are needed during the pregnancy.

No Unique Baby Names

While modern-day celebrities often pick unusual and sometimes bizarre names for their children, royals can’t be quite as creative. They typically stick to a shortlist of recycled classic and traditional British names depending on how far down the line of succession the baby is.

At Least She Can Give Birth In An Actual Hospital

It’s likely that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex expected little royal will be born at the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington just outside of West London. In long-standing and Victorian tradition, royals had at-home births, but this changed when Princess Diana gave birth to Prince William. He was the first royal born in a hospital. The Lindo Wing is a private area of St. Mary’s Hospital, where rooms start at a minimum of $7,000 USD per night.

Midwives Are Mandatory

Midwives might be an antiquated tradition when it comes to modern births, but the royals need to have them around. Kate Middleton reportedly had three midwives on hand at the birth of Princess Charlotte. In fact, the midwives were only a fraction of the team of 20 that were selected to prepare for the little girl’s birth!

The Queen Finds Out First

While many might want to call their own mom and dad, the first person the future-parents were obligated to call with the news was her Majesty, The Queen. Upon Prince George’s birth in 2013, Prince Harry called his grandmother right away to personally deliver the good news on behalf of his older brother. To ensure their privacy, he had to call her through an encrypted phone to avoid having the news leak before Buckingham Palace made the official announcement.

Debuting Hours After Birth

There’s no pausing from the moment of going into labor to taking the baby home. While most mothers are resting their bodies in the hours after the physically demanding delivery, royal mothers are prepping themselves for a public appearance. Royal moms debut their newborns outside the hospital doors mere hours after giving birth.

She Needs To Be Camera Ready

Because she’ll publicly debut her future baby right after popping it out, Meghan Markle will need to pick the perfect outfit for the occasion. But she can’t opt for the comfort of some sweats or leggings. Instead, Meghan will have to choose something that’s on par with all her other royal engagement outfits. Kate Middleton has always looked preened and perfect for her introductions.

Everyone’s Watching

Though the public is largely kept in the dark surrounding a royal pregnancy, eager fans are still filled with anxious anticipation and excitement as they await the birth of a new royal. During Prince George’s birth, people literally camped outside St. Mary’s Hospital to wait for his first public debut! This is one of the reasons royals must primp themselves to leave the hospital so soon after delivery.

This Tradition Stands The Test Of Time

Of all the royal pregnancy traditions that have been broken by modern-day princesses and princes, there is one that still stands: the royal birth announcement. After The Queen and close family are notified of the birth, the public is privy to the happy news. Traditionally, this was done by posting a handwritten note on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. This is still done today, although the notice is not only typed and printed out, but it is also followed by an official email and social media announcement in conformance with the technological times we live in.

Royal Births Are Celebrated With Explosions

Usually a baby’s birth is celebrated with some balloons, but the birth of a royal baby goes off with a literal bang. A 62 gun salute goes off when a royal baby is born, so the Duke and Duchess of Sussex better get their earplugs ready when the time comes.

At Least She’ll Have Maternity Leave

Upon Prince Louis’ birth, Kate Middleton opted for six months maternity leave, in which time she’ll be able to focus completely on mothering the new member of her growing family. While Meghan’s pregnancy will definitely not be a “normal” one, at least she’ll eventually have some much-deserved downtime once the baby arrives. 

She Better Start Scouting For Nannies Now

Meghan Markle will still most likely still hire a nanny to help her raise her future child. Middleton hired Maria Borrallo just after Prince George’s birth and she has remained a part of the family ever since she was first welcomed into the palace doors. Borrallo graduated from the prestigious Norland College, which is considered the Harvard among British nannies. Borrallo has been trained in all the essential aspects of royal child-rearing, which ranges from self-defense to learning how to drive to evade the paparazzi to ensuring the little baby is always ready for a photo opportunity.

Breastfeeding Will Be Encouraged

Another thing Meghan will soon have to have an opinion on is breastfeeding. “Royal breastfeeding mothers are a relatively new phenomenon. The present Queen, Elizabeth II, was breastfed following her birth in 1926 and chose to continue the practice with her own children,” wrote The Guardian in 2013. These days anyhow, most mothers opt for breastfeeding if they are capable to do so.

The Christening Outfit’s Already Picked Out

All royal babies are christened within a year of being born. Yet no one will have to concern themselves with what the baby will wear for the blessed occasion. In 1841, Queen Victoria commissioned an intricate lace christening gown for her eldest daughter’s christening. Since then, it has been used 62 times by all babies born into the royal family, including Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry. In 2004, The Queen had the gown preserved and commissioned a replica made by the senior dresser to the Queen, Angela Kelly. The replica has been worn by Prince William’s children and will be worn by Prince Harry’s future kids.

Her Baby Has A Dress Code

One of the many joys of having a baby is getting to dress them up in adorable outfits before they develop the agency to demand they dress themselves. But Meghan will have to adhere to a pretty distinct dress code when baby-clothes shopping. According to royal experts, it’s standard for royal children to be “formally dressed” in public. This is why you’ll notice that Prince George and Princess Charlotte are always dressed like perfect dolls, instead of like the average modern toddler.

Taking The Kids To School

If there’s one thing that Queen Elizabeth has never done during her reign, its take her children or her grandchildren to school. However, Kate has noticeably broken that long-standing rule. So, what will Meghan do? “As a mother just getting used to leaving my own child at the school gates, it is clear to me that it takes a whole community to help raise a child,” said Kate, according to Us Weekly.

Going Grocery Shopping For The Family

If there’s one place you will never see Queen Elizabeth, it’s shopping for her own movie snacks. But time and time again, Kate has proven that she’s not like the other royals. She loves to do things herself, even if it’s something menial like driving her own car or going grocery shopping for her little ones. So will Meghan follow suit?

Playing In Public Playgrounds

Kate insists that her two children are allowed to play at public playgrounds, just like any other child their age. That’s why both she and William have asked the paparazzi and the media to give them their space and their privacy whenever they are in public. In other words, no photos are allowed.

Bending Down To Listen

Kneeling down to listen to one’s children is something that the Queen has never done, however when Kate Middleton needs to speak to or reprimand her children, she bends down so she at eye level with them. It seems that the new Monarchy is making way for change, and we’re sure Meghan will take a leaf out of her sister-in-laws parenting book.

Showing Affection

It is not a common act for royals to publicly show their children affection, however, Princess Di broke that rule very early on. She was a hands-on mother with a true compassion for all those around her. Kate, too, has made sure to show her children as much love as possible.

The New Baby Will Have Multiple Names

They may not choose unique names for their babies, but royal children’s titles are always a mouthful. Meghan and Harry will have to pick up to four names for the newborn. While the first name is obviously the most important, royals still have three subsequent names attached to it. Prince Harry’s full name is Henry Charles Albert David while Princess Charlotte is said to be named after grandfather Prince Charles, as is tradition with many royal children.

Smile And Wave

Even from the age of three, a royal is expected to behave with a certain etiquette when in public. Coined the Windsor wave, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will have to teach their children how to properly wave from an early age.

Kids Won’t Be Seeing Their Other Grandma At Christmas

Whether you’re royal or a regular joe, splitting your time between families on holidays can be quite the challenge. That said, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have it easy, since they have absolutely no choice in the matter. As is tradition, the royal couple and their future kids are expected to spend their holidays with the royal family at Sandringham Estate.

Education Is Key

One of the most important royal parenting rules? Their children must receive a good education throughout their adolescent years and go on to university. Royal boys are most commonly accepted to Eton college, a prestigious private boarding school. Many go on to study at Ivy league or traditional and prized institutions.

A Lot Of Pressure For A Boy

A lot of pressure has already been placed on the royal couple to have a boy. When Prince George was born in July 2013, it was the first time in 119 years that there were three generations heirs to the throne. “The last time the monarch met her great-grandson was when Queen Victoria was alive at the same time has her son Edward, his son George, and his son Edward.” According to royal biographer Christopher Warwick, speaking with The Independent, “Obviously the great thing is that the new royal birth secures the line of succession for the third generation, which is the first time since 1894 [and] the birth of Victoria’s great-grandson, the future Edward VIII.”

Royal Babies Are Trendsetters At Birth

It seems that there is no age limit when it comes to royal influence. When Prince George debuted in 2013, he was wrapped up in a white Merino wool blanket nearly identical to the one his father had when he was a baby. Word quickly spread that Prince George’s £45 shawl was made by GH Hurt & Son Ltd. and soon, the company was inundated with orders. This was probably the first instance in what was then referred to as the “Prince George Effect,” as people sought out the same retail items used or worn by the newborn royal. It might be safe to assume that Meghan Markle’s future royal baby will have the same effect.

What’s In A Name?

In another break with tradition, Zara, Princess Anne’s daughter, chose to keep her maiden name after her royal marriage — which, according to the BBC, set a royal precedent, that Meghan has also chosen to follow. “Even when they marry commoners, Royal brides have always adopted the family name of their partners,” the BBC noted, saying that her decision appeared to be “based on the fact she wants to preserve her sporting persona and business interests.

Rebellious Royals and Changing Times

From Edward to William, modern royals have rebelled or pushed against tradition in their own ways. Some of these effects have been negative — Edward’s abdication was nothing short of traumatizing for both the monarchy and for England — and others, like William, Harry, and Kate’s efforts to bring awareness to mental health, have been resoundingly positive. Nonetheless, the rebellious royals’ efforts to bring about a seismic change in royal protocol appear to be working.