The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made their first appearance with their newborn son following his birth on Monday.
New mother Meghan, 37, looked radiant as she posed for photos in the grand St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle alongside proud father Harry, 34.
Meghan’s low key appearance in front of a small group of journalists stands in stark contrast to that of sister-in-law Kate and Princess Diana, with both royals appearing on the hospital steps of the Lindo Wing just hours after giving birth.
Speaking to Femail, etiquette expert William Hanson noted the low-key nature of the ‘big reveal’ is in keeping with the Sussexes’ desire for greater privacy – and could set a precedent for future royal births.
He said: ‘The more controlled, more private nature of this afternoon’s ‘big reveal’ is in-keeping with the couple’s wishes to have a less intense post-birth circus than with Prince Harry’s brother Prince William and sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge.
New mother Meghan, 37, looked radiant as she posed for photos with baby Archie in the grand St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle alongside proud father Harry, 34
In July 2013, proud new parents Kate and William introduced their first son, Prince George, to the world, with the Duchess opting for a blue spotted Jenny Packham dress
Diana left the Lindo Wing in a floaty turquoise polka dot dress, with a white trim on the collar when she gave birth to Prince William in 1982
‘Although it is far less exciting for members of the public and the media, it may even set a new precedent for future royal babies. No one can deny the grandeur of St George’s Hall topping a hospital steps in Paddington.’
He continued: ‘Baby Sussex, as we are currently unofficially terming the child, is not going to be a direct heir to the throne and so the child, and family in general, can be afforded more privacy.
‘I think why some media commentators are annoyed with the more controlled and restrained press coverage is only because we have recently had three royal babies where the parents and children have been very much in the public eye – and that is only due to the future roles of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.’
Kate, 36, opted for a bespoke Jenny Packham shift dress in red with a white lace collar, when she showed off Prince Louis for the first time on the steps of the Lindo Wing in April 2018.
Speaking to Femail, etiquette expert William Hanson noted the nature of the ‘big reveal’ is in keeping with the Sussexes’ desire for greater privacy
The world was given the first glimpse of newborn Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, pictured, this afternoon
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex beamed with pride as they introduced their son Archie to the world
Harry and Meghan strolled out into the hall where photographers were waiting to snap photos
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their baby son, who was born on Monday morning
After she gave birth to Prince Harry in 1984, Princess Diana emerged wearing a long red coat by Jan van Velden, with a white blouse trimmed with a scarlet ribbon showing underneath.
And it wasn’t the first time that Kate gave a nod to her late mother-in-law with her choice of maternity outfit.
The Duchess stepped out in a bespoke polka dot crepe de chine dress, also by Jenny Packham, after giving birth to Prince George in July 2013.
Within hours of her appearance on the steps of the Lindo Wing, similar dresses by Jenny Packham had sold out.
The Duchess of Cambridge wore a bespoke red shift dress by Jenny Packham with a white lace collar when she left the Lindo Wing, after giving birth to Prince Louis in April 2018
After she gave birth to Prince Harry in 1984, Princess Diana emerged wearing a long red coat by Jan van Velden, with a white blouse trimmed with a scarlet ribbon showing underneath, teamed with matching red shoes
And the dress was very similar to the polka dot number Diana wore to leave the Lindo Wing, when she also became a first-time mother in 1982.
Kate’s last appearance on the steps of the Lindo Wing caused controversy, with commentators and royal fans claiming her impeccable appearance was unrealistic and put ‘ridiculous pressure’ on new mothers to look perfect.
In a red Jenny Packham dress and with her hair perfectly styled, she posed for three minutes with newborn Prince Louis.
The Duchess of Cambridge wore a buttercup yellow sprigged Jenny Packham dress, and her trusty nude court shoes, when she left the Lindo Wing with Princess Charlotte in May 2015