Heavily pregnant Meghan Markle has reportedly decided to not give birth at the famous Lindo Wing hospital in central London, abandoning decades of Royal Family tradition.
The Duchess of Sussex is due to give birth in about a month, but will not be following in the steps of Kate, Princess Diana and Princess Anne, who all decided to have their children at the private maternity unit in St Mary's Hospital, Paddington.
Instead, Prince Harry and Meghan will welcome their first-born into the world at an undisclosed hospital closer to their home in Windsor, away from the intense media and public scrutiny, The Sun reported.
Although the expectant couple have not commented publicly on their decision, it is likely they have chosen to break with decades of tradition in an effort to minimise the pressure on first-time mum Meghan.
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As Meghan is 37, she is classified as a geriatric mother which means the chances of complications during a first-time pregnancy are greater.
Sources told The Sun she and Prince Harry did not want her to feel required to parade her newly-born child before the cameras just hours after what could be a difficult birth.
"Meghan is nervous about complications such as an emergency Caesarean and doesn’t want the pressure of having to look immaculate on the hospital steps just hours later," the source said.
The Royal connection with the prestigious and elite Lindo Wing dates back to 1977, when Princess Anne had her first child Peter there, followed by daughter Zara in 1981.
Princess Diana followed in her footsteps in 1982 when Prince William and then two years later Prince Harry himself were born at the private unit.
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But the Lindo Wing became world-famous when Kate chose to have all three of her children at the Paddington hospital, giving the world its first glimpses of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on the famous steps just outside the maternity unit.
The luxury hospital wing offers its patients a suite of plush benefits, including a wine list, afternoon tea, massages and satellite TVs in every room.
But the premium experience does not come cheap, with prices starting around £7,500 for a suite and thousands of pounds more for any complications such as a caesarean section or overnight family accommodation.
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Meghan is also breaking with tradition by planning to use New Age birthing techniques, such as taking essential oils, aromatherapy and pregnancy massage.
Although her exact due date has not been released, she is expected to go into labour in either late April or early May.
