The first public appearance of a royal baby is a time-honoured tradition, yet Harry and Meghan chose a different route – a decision that reportedly hinted at the couple’s royal future
Paul Burrell, a former royal butler, has reflected on the moment he believes worsened Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s split from the Royal Family. His comments have resurfaced as the couple’s new Netflix projects were revealed, including Season 2 of With Love, Meghan.
Paul spoke openly in the documentary Harry and Meghan: The Rise and Fall, which offered a glimpse into the couple’s royal experience before they chose to quit their senior roles in 2022.
Breaking with royal tradition, as followed by couples like Prince William and Kate, and Charles and Diana, the Sussexes chose not to take part in the customary post-birth photo session outside the hospital after the arrival of their firstborn, Archie.
Instead, they opted for a more private approach, staging a personal photocall two days later — a decision that reportedly caused concern at the time.
Looking back now, some understand the couple’s wish for privacy during such an important moment. However, at the time, their break from protocol was seen by some as an early sign they were stepping back from royal commitments.
Speaking about the break from tradition, Paul said: “Why didn’t they want to show the world their joy? They’re retreating, they’re pulling back — that’s when I thought it was going wrong.”
Offering his view, royal photographer Zak Hussein emphasised the public’s fondness for photos of royals and their babies on the hospital steps.
He observed: “So, to not have that, I guess, kind of ruffled some feathers, but on the flip side, it’s understandable that people want privacy around the birth of their child.
“It was a sign of the way things might go — that they wouldn’t follow tradition and were definitely going to do things their own way.”
Since welcoming Archie in 2019, Harry and Meghan have grown their family with the arrival of their daughter, Lilibet. Their relocation to America in 2020 has meant only occasional public outings and limited photographs of their children being released.
Explaining the apparent logic behind the couple’s approach, a friend told People magazine: “Harry has been reluctant to show his children publicly, not out of a desire to hide them, but to protect their privacy and safety from potential threats.”
Worries about their security also feature prominently, with the source adding: “He wants them to lead as normal a life as possible without the fear of kidnapping or harm. As a dad and husband, Harry is determined to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself.”
Following their return from an official visit to Colombia, Harry and Meghan will have reason to celebrate as their son, Archie, is poised to start school for the first time.
Children in the United States generally begin kindergarten at around the age of five or six. With Archie reaching this milestone, he is expected to start his education shortly after his parents return home.
Speaking about local educational options, Montecito resident Richard Mineards told Hello!’s A Right Royal Podcast that the schools are “good.” He explained: “We have very good schools, which are not like England’s public schools, but they’re state schools. And we have a very good one called Cold Spring School, which has got great ratings, and that’s in their catchment area.”
