Ever since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced that there would be no announcement or photo call immediately following the birth of their royal bundle of joy, there's been plenty of speculation about just how and where the world will see the first photos of Baby Sussex. But we now have a clue as to how we can expect to meet (or at least get a glimpse of) the baby, who will be seventh in line for the throne.
According to a palace insider, the thoroughly modern royals will release the first photos of Baby Sussex on their newly established official Instagram account, @SussexRoyal.
The account reached a million followers in just six hours (a record) after launching in early April. Three weeks later, it has amassed more than five million followers. "The duke and duchess realize there is tremendous worldwide interest in the birth of their first child and think Instagram would give the greatest number of people a first look simultaneously," our insider said. "It's quite sensible, actually."
Having vetoed the idea of introducing the latest member of the royal family by standing on the steps of the Lindo Wing, at St. Mary's Hospital, in London, hours after giving birth—as Princess Diana and Kate Middleton did—the Duchess of Sussex has made sure that all the details surrounding the birth of her first child are kept under wraps. She has made it clear she wants to do things differently (with a rumored home birth at Frogmore Cottage) and has no intention of letting the press control the narrative.
And though it may not be the traditional one, Meghan and Harry do have a plan in place. "The Palace will announce when the duchess has gone into labor but will not reveal where the birth is taking place," said the insider. "The duke and duchess have selected a photographer to take some family photos and will, in all likelihood, release two images on their Instagram account."
No word on who that photographer may be, but the smart money is on fashion photographer Alexi Lubomirski, who shot Meghan and Harry's engagement and wedding photos. He also shot the Vanity Fair photos of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, to mark their 14th wedding anniversary. "The family loves his work and trusts him completely," our insider said. "He seems like the logical choice."
But, there has also been talk of a photo call "with a small number of photographers or a pool photographer on the grounds of Windsor Castle," explained our source. "It will be tightly managed and scheduled after their private photos are released."
And with grandmother-to-be—Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland—arriving in London earlier this week, the arrival of Baby Sussex seems imminent. So stay tuned for more! And for further insight into the duchess, This Is Why Meghan Markle Can Upend Royal Tradition With her Private Birth.
Diane Clehane is a New York-based journalist and author of Imagining Diana and Diana: The Secrets of Her Style.
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