When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up fornow and never miss the top Royal stories again. Meghan Markle and P rince Harry welcomed their first child into the world on Monday, May 6 at 5.26am. The baby boy, named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, weighed 7lbs 3oz, and the news was announced by the Duke of Sussex outside the couple’s new Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage. Speaking after the birth, Prince Harry said both mother and son were doing “incredibly well” and they were “absolutely thrilled” about the newest members of the Royal Family, who is seventh in line to the throne. Meghan Markle baby pictures: When will we see Meghan and Harry’s baby? Royal baby name LIVE: Meghan and Harry baby name and pictures But new mum Meghan’s hopes of a home birth were dashed after she was reportedly taken to a hospital on London on Sunday. The Duchess of Sussex was according to the Daily Mail secretly whisked off to Portland Hospital by her husband and their Scotland Yard security team. Sources claimed Meghan remained there overnight before the baby was delivered at 5.26am on Monday morning. The decision to bring the duchess to the London hospital was reportedly a secret not even senior royals knew about. READ MORE:Why Buckingham Palace said Meghan was in labour HOURS after baby born<doc-sep>Prince Harry and Megan Markle (Photo: Courtesy) Meghan Markle's plans for a home birth were dashed after she was secretly taken to a private hospital to deliver her newborn son, reports now claim. Reports suggest she was whisked off by her security team to a private hospital - most likely the Portland in London - but the exact location has not been disclosed. The plans were so secret that senior royals were not even told of the move, it is claimed. It is understood that Meghan was around a week overdue. (Photo: Courtesy) The Duchess of Sussex had hoped for her newborn to be delivered at Frogmore Cottage home after months of planning. The Queen, who is reportedly staying at Windsor Castle, is expected to meet her great-grandson for the first time today. The baby is seventh in line to the thrown and is the first mixed race child of a senior royal. Details beyond where the Duchess hoped to have the birth were never discussed by the royals, who wanted their new baby to be delivered with utmost privacy. Meghan 37, was beside her elated husband Harry when the baby, dubbed 'Baby Sussex', was born at 5.26am. Portland Hospital has earned a reputation as the place where Britain's rich and famous go to give birth. A 'basic delivery' at the hospital is believed to cost around Sh. 1.9 million (£15,000). Victoria Beckham, Jools Oliver and Jemima Goldsmith have all delivered children at the plush west London hospital. The state-of-the-art clinic has a small number of luxury rooms reserved for VIP guests which cost over Sh. 277,000 (£2,100) a night. The hospital offers new mothers the chance to drink champagne and eat oysters with its luxury hotel-like service. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York were also both delivered there. It is claimed Prince Harry and Meghan hosted friends at Frogmore Cottage just hours before she went into labour on Sunday. The Sun reported that they also watched the finale of BBC drama Line of Duty on the same day. An elated Prince Harry when he announced his son's birth (Photo: Courtesy) It was previously believed that Meghan gave birth at home, but Harry did not specify a location when he spoke to media from Windsor earlier today. He said: "I'm very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a baby boy this morning, a very healthy baby boy." A smiling Harry added: "Mother and baby are doing incredibly well. It’s been the most amazing experience I can ever have possibly imagined. "How any woman does that, what they do is beyond comprehension. "We’re both absolutely thrilled and so grateful to all the love and support of everybody out there, it's been amazing so I just wanted to share this with everybody. "Still thinking about names but, yeah, the baby is a little overdue so we’ve had a little bit of time to think about it – but that’s the next bit. "We’ll be able to see you in two days' time as planned and be able to share it with you as a family and share it with you guys and so everyone can see the baby." Harry and Meghan came under fire for the unorthodox way in which they informed the public of the birth. They announced it on Instagram before the declaration was put on an easel outside Buckingham Palace, as is traditional. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced the birth on Instagram (Photo: Courtesy/Instagram) Some also questioned Harry's 'bizarre' television announcement of the birth, which he made in front of a stable at Frogmore Cottage Twitter users also called out the royal couple for being overly secretive about the baby and not immediately showing him to the world, like Prince William and Kate did with their children. However, others supported Meghan's decision to keep things private, arguing that the mum deserved some rest after the birth and should not have to 'parade' in front of the cameras. Thomas Markle and Megan Markle (Photo: Courtesy) Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, who she has a fraught relationship with, found out about the birth through the media, according to reports.<doc-sep>IT has been revealed that Meghan Markle’s original aim for a home birth was changed as she was rushed to London's private Portland Hospital on Sunday night. A doctor has claimed that the Duchess of Sussex’s hopes may not have gone according to plan due to her having an “untried pelvis”. 6 A doctor has claimed Meghan Markle had to change her home birth to go to hospital due to her 'untried pelvis' Credit: Getty - Contributor Experts had previously warned that Meghan, 37, who is classed medically as a geriatric mum, would possibly need medical care due to her older age. Sources had said the duchess was hoping for an all-female midwife-led team at Frogmore Cottage, but she was willing to go to hospital if it was best for the baby. Speaking to the Daily Mail, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Peter Bowen-Simpkins, claimed: “When you have your first baby you essentially have an 'untried pelvis'. “You don't know what's going to happen when the body prepares for labour and birth. 6 Meghan Markle is thought to have given birth at The Portland Hospital in London Credit: Alamy 6 Meghan opted for the luxurious £20k Portland Hospital - where pal Victoria Beckham gave birth Credit: The Portland Hospital “If a woman is on her second or subsequent baby and has had a normal delivery before then it's likely there wouldn't be any problem at all. But you don't know that's going to be the case until you have your first baby.” Around 45 per cent of first time mums transfer from home to hospital for the birth, according to a 2011 study. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had been preparing for a home birth at Frogmore Cottage in the grounds of Windsor Castle. But late on Sunday the Duchess was driven to the exclusive Portland private hospital in central London by Harry and their Scotland Yard security team. 6 The Portland offers five-star hotel service for new mums, with 36 private rooms as well as a nursery 6 Meghan was driven to the luxurious Portland Hospital in London late on Sunday evening, before giving birth to a baby boy just hours later Credit: Getty - Contributor Meghan remained in the £15,000-a-night hospital overnight before going into labour in the early hours of Monday morning. She had a smooth delivery, and her baby boy was born at the 5.26am sunrise on Monday morning weighing 7lb 3oz. Sources said the operation to get Meghan - who was a week overdue - to the clinic was so secret that even senior royals weren’t told. 6 Meghan Markle baby news: The official announcement was made yesterday Credit: Buckingham Palace MEGHAN'S HYPO-BIRTHING DREAM The Royal couple had hoped for a home birth at Frogmore Cottage in the grounds of Windsor Castle. The new parents had practised hypno-birthing and “wellness techniques” — such as chanting, aromatherapy and massage with essential oils — in the hope of reducing any need for an epidural or pain relief. As well as a home birth, Los ­Angeles-born Meghan made it clear she wanted privacy rather than ­posing outside with her newborn shortly after. Within hours of the dawn birth, the couple were back at Frogmore where Harry, 34, gave an impromptu press conference to break the news to the world. Meghan's mum Doria Ragland, who is said to be "overjoyed" by the arrival of her first grandchild, is currently staying with the couple. Sun doctor Carol Cooper had said previously it was more likely Meghan will have opted for a caesarean because of her age as she warned about the dangers of older mums giving birth. She said: “As far as the labour goes, she is only 37 and if you are in your mid-thirties and you are eating healthily, exercising regularly and you are fit and are the right weight as she seems to be, there is no reason why she should have significantly more complications than a younger women. “But statistically there are higher risks." MOST READ IN FABULOUS ROYAL RAGE Meg dramatically FIRED Archie's nanny after mystery 'incident' in the night HAZ ENOUGH Harry 'will be a BROKEN man when breaking Queen's heart finally hits home' MYSTIC MEG May 27: Believe in yourself and people around you will take note Comment MERCY MUROKI Fake tan is not racist. But Meghan Markle, skin bleaching is Exclusive BELLE'S HELL I self-harmed at 13 after being called an ‘ugly s**g’, says Belle Hassan BUMBLE BLUNDER Singleton left mortified after dating app match sends her fat-shaming reply Meghan's dad, Thomas, who has been frozen out by Meghan, spoke of his pride at the birth of the baby - his sixth grandson. The couple shunned the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London where the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to her three children. It was not the only royal tradition Meghan and Harry broke for the birth of their first child.<doc-sep>Get our daily royal round-up direct to your inbox Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Almost two weeks after Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor arrived in the world, we finally know where he was born. It's believed that Meghan Markle hoped to have a natural birth at the Frogmore Cottage home she shares with Prince Harry in Windsor. But her dreams were dashed and it has now been officially confirmed that she had to be taken to the Portland Hospital in London by her security team to deliver her son. Archie's place of birth was listed on his birth certificate, which was made public today after Harry registered the birth this morning. The plans were so secret that senior royals were not even told of the move, it is claimed. (Image: The Portland Hospital) It is understood that Meghan was around a week overdue. It had been widely rumoured that Meghan and harry would chose NHS Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, but the couple opted for a far more luxurious venue to welcome the much-anticipated baby boy. So, what will Meghan have experienced inside the Portland Hospital's maternity ward, which costs £20,000. First of all there's the previous A-list patients. (Image: BBC) Victoria Beckham gave birth to two of her four children in the hospital and it's also where Jamie Oliver's wife, Jools, opted to have her babies. Jerry Hall, Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell , Benazir Bhutto, Trudi Styler, Patsy Kensit , Victoria Wood and Julie Walters are all reported to have given birth at the hospital. Meghan and Harry are also not the first royals to become parents at the high-end hospital. Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew delivered their first-born, Princess Beatrice, at The Portland. Then there's the fine dining. The hospital boasts suites with sitting rooms and fridges stocked full of Champagne. (Image: BBC) You can pick which doctor you want and if you don't fancy pushing then even opt for a caesarean. Doctors are on hand to dish out medicine to stop your milk coming and a nursery will look after your baby around the clock – at £1,200 a night – until you feel ready to face the world. Chief executive Janene Madden, who runs a staff of 434, boasts: “I have seen somebody spend £500,000. “We have princesses from the middle east who deliver here quite regularly. "We have celebrities and individuals of very high net worth and they used to getting what they want. (Image: The Portland Hospital) (Image: BBC) “And if they want 10 additional rooms or 20 additional rooms we will provide it. “As long as that woman or husband can pay for what they are requesting we will do our best to provide that. “What I can advocate here is it is like having a holiday, when you deliver at the Portland you get to use the nursery and your baby is only bought back for feeding time so you absolutely after two to three nights you leave here fit and well and ready to face the challenges of motherhood.” For those who fancy the luxury on offer be warned, you need deep pockets, as a basic consultant led package costs upwards of £8,000 which doesn't include the doctor. And choosing your own doctor at the American-owned hospital can easily double the cost. (Image: The Portland Hospital) Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now There is certainly no shortage of midwives at the hospital, with a team of around 50 on hand for mums-to-be. As well as maternity care the Portland offers a range of high end facilities to guests at it's 36 rooms, there is even a private in house photography company for snaps of the babies and gift shop offers trinkets like silver and bronze casts of babies feet. A hotel standard kitchen, based in the one in five-star hotel The Dorchester, provides around the clock fine dining and while in the NHS breakfast costs as little as 90p in the Portland there is a team of 13 preparing any dish the mothers desire. One cooks boasts: “We can get foie gras, lobsters and oysters if people want they, we have fantastic champagne, Dom Pérignon if people want it.” The food is all delivered on silver platters. (Image: Mirrorpix) While mums are treated to one on one care newborns cared for by staff, there is nursery on first floor and babies are electronically tagged with a computer system monitoring their exact location at any one time. And new babies don't have to sleep in standard plastic cots. Dragons of Walton Street has a range available for use at the hospital which includes a Moses basket costing £3,500 and even a four-poster cot. And if Meghan fancied a pamper once her baby boy arrived Molton Brown toiletries are available for everyone who stays there. The cheapest maternity package starts at £15,000 but some parents have spent up to £500,000 to ensure their child is born in utmost luxury. (Image: Getty Images) (Image: GC Images) And almost half of all mums at the hospital opt for a Caesarean section, wth one consultant known for "doing a good scar". The care doesn't end when mum and baby are discharged. Each are provided with a goodie bag containing top-of-the-range tys, Champagne and a free photoshoot. Just hours after Meghan delivered her baby son, whose name is yet t be announced, a beaming Harry gave a press conference announcing the arrival of the baby. He said: "I'm very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a baby boy this morning, a very healthy baby boy. (Image: PA) (Image: Sky News) "I haven't been at many births. This is definitely my first birth - it was amazing, absolutely incredible. "I'm so incredibly proud of my wife. "And as every father and parent would say, your baby is absolutely amazing."<doc-sep>
The world is reacting to the news of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first child, a baby boy The world is reacting to the news of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first child, a baby boy... As all mums and midwives will know, labour doesn’t always go to plan. And while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were hoping for a home birth this weekend, it’s now been reported that Meghan Markle was driven to the luxurious Portland Hospital in London late on Sunday evening, before giving birth to a baby boy just hours later. While the new parents never revealed their birthing plan, it was widely speculated that if Meghan was to end up having a hospital birth, she would choose the NHS-run Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey. However, it’s now been reported that Meghan opted for the luxurious £20,000 ($37,000) Portland Hospital — where pal Victoria Beckham gave birth. And with lobster dinners, champagne-on-demand and four-poster baby cots, it couldn’t be more different to the much more basic Frimley Park, The Sun reports. The American-run hospital is known for its A-list patients, including Liz Hurley, Jools Oliver and the Duchess of York, with some VIP mums spending hundreds of thousands of pounds having their babies. It’s easy to see how the bill could rack up over a number of days. The Portland offers five-star hotel service for new mums, with 36 private rooms as well as a creche. The pricier suites cost £1800 ($3350) per night and feature a separate lounge area and en-suite. It’s also reported the exclusive hospital has a selection of rooms reserved for royalty and other VIPs that cost upwards of £2000 ($3700). Then there’s the 24-hour room service, luxurious Molton Brown toiletries and suites for family and visitors. While the cheapest “birthing package” costs around £15,000 ($28,000), it’s reported that some mums spend an eye-watering £500,000 ($930,000) — depending on the number of nights they stay and other services they require. Having an epidural adds almost £1000 ($1900) to the bill while an induction costs upwards of £600 ($1100). A forceps delivery is priced at around £140 ($260). Half of all patients at The Portland opt for a caesarean section, however, with consultant Shazia Malik known for “doing a good scar”. A consultant-led package with a planned C-section costs around £20,000 ($37,000). Once the new baby has arrived, new mums can enjoy a “celebration meal” including afternoon tea, lobster, oysters, foie gras and champagne — delivered on luxurious silver platters. There are more than 50 full-time midwives, and creche nurses on hand to change nappies — as well as a creche where new mums can “check in” their babies for the night, to catch up on some much-needed sleep. And it’s not just mums receiving the VIP package. While new Portland babies sleep in plastic cots similar to those used in NHS hospitals, if parents choose, they can opt for something a little different. Exclusive baby furniture brand, Dragons of Walton Street, provide a range of baby cots, including £3500 ($6500) Moses baskets decorated with lace and hand-cut glass crystals, and a four-poster Little Duchess cot, which would set you back £14,000 ($26,000). “It’s like having a holiday,” explained Janene Madden, former CEO of The Portland. “After two to three days you leave fit and well. You only have to pick up Hello! magazine to see the patients we have here in the hospital.” And when it’s finally time to be discharged, Portland mums and babies are provided with a goodie bag including luxurious toys, (more) champagne and a complimentary photo shoot. It’s understood that Meghan arrived at the hospital late on Sunday evening, before delivering her first child in the early hours of Monday morning, with Prince Harry and her mum, Doria Ragland by her side. The visit to The Portland was said to be so secretive, even senior royals were unaware. Buckingham Palace declined to comment, but sources confirmed that a hospital delivery had taken place. Within hours, the couple were back at Frogmore where Harry gave an impromptu press conference. The beaming dad couldn’t stop gushing as he announced Meghan had given birth to a “very healthy baby boy”. “It’s been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined,” he said “How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension. But we’re both absolutely thrilled.