Royal baby news: Official Instagram account pays tribute to mums on Mother's Day

Although the couple broke from tradition when it was announced they would be keeping the arrival of their child private from the public, their choice has been met with support.

According to some royal experts, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision was even expected.

Speaking to The Independent, royal commentator Omid Scobie said the decision “doesn’t come as any surprise”.

Royal biographer Penny Junor said the couple’s choice may stem from trepidation surrounding the media.

“Harry saw what happened to his mother and his father, he saw how the media could reduce his mother to tears and did so on many occasions,” Junor said. “It’s not surprising that he would withhold this.”

Once the Duchess of Sussex does give birth, it may be a while before the public is given its first glimpse of the newest royal. 

Fortunately, we have pictures of some of the youngest members of the royal family to pass the time. 

Click through the gallery below to see photos of everything from Prince Louis' first photo to Princess Charlotte waving to the crowd as she visits her baby brother for the first time.

As it may be a lengthy wait before the public is offered a glimpse at the new royal baby when he or she arrives, it is worth reminiscing over other members of the royal family when they were young to pass the time.

In photos, the resemblance between Prince George and his father can be seen, as can one between Elizabeth II and Princess Charlotte.

Click through the gallery below to see memorable photos of the royal family as children.

Will it be a home birth?

It's believed that Meghan has chosen to give birth at home 

Following the announcement that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be keeping the birth of their baby private, rumours are rife that Meghan has opted for a home birth in Windsor.

On the surface, giving birth at home sounds idyllic. You’re in the comfort of your own space, it’s far more private than a hospital ward, and your kettle is ready and waiting to produce a post-birth cuppa.

But labour is unpredictable. For some women, it can be seamless and over in a matter of hours. For others, it can be a taxing experience, the drama of which might be exacerbated without the provisions of a ward.

We spoke to seven women to find out what it’s really like to give birth at home.

Here's a snippet from Helen Nurse, 40, co-founder of children’s events and entertainment business, Wonder Adventures.

‘My husband had to deliver my baby’ (Hazel Hughes Photography) 

“After having been in labour for six hours, the midwife said I was moving slowly and would probably have to come into hospital, but to wait until the contractions advanced. Her shift was ending so she left, at which point my contractions suddenly stepped up and literally a minute later I could feel the baby was coming. My husband got on the phone to labour ward, but I cried at him that the baby was coming. He rang 999 and the emergency medical staff talked him through what to do. A minute later, he delivered Daisy."

Read more stories of home births here.

The moment royal couples introduced their babies, from Princess Diana to Kate Middleton

As the British royal family awaits the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s baby, speculation is rising as to where the child will be born.

Since the 1970s, several members of the royal family have given birth at the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London.

The Duke & Duchess Of Cambridge depart The Lindo Wing with Prince Louis, 23 April 2018The tradition of posing on the steps outside the exclusive maternity wing began with Princess Anne in 1977, who was shortly followed by Diana, Princess of Wales in 19821 and Kate Middleton in 2013.

It's unlikely Meghan will do the same, given the recent revelation that the royal couple have decided to keep the birth of their baby private. But who's to say what will happen?

In the meantime, click below to see the first moment the world set eyes on the royal family's newest members.

Did you know that the Queen will have full legal custody of the royal baby?

The royal baby is due any day nowA law enacted more than three centuries ago means that the Queen has full legal custody of any child born into the royal family, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex' child will be no exception.

The law, called “The Grand Opinion for the Prerogative Concerning the Royal Family,” was introduced by King George I in 1717.

“George I did not get along with his son, the future George II,” explains royal expert Marlene Koenig previously to The Independent.

“I believe it came about when the Prince of Wales [George II] did not want to have the godparent for his son that his father wanted — so George I got Parliament to come up with something.”

An annual register published in 1772 states that the then King had the care of the royal children and grandchildren, and the presumptive heir to the crown.

However, while law dictates that the Queen legally has custody of her grandchildren, Koenig doesn’t think she would ever act upon the right.

“I would doubt that the Queen would interfere. [It’s] more of a formality,” she says. I think the Queen has let her children raise their kids.”

Read more about some of the unusual traditions regarding royal babies below.

Are crowds starting to gather outside Windsor Castle?

The world is waiting with bated breath for the birth of the royal baby — and it looks like people might already be flocking to Windsor in anticipation.

A short clip posted on Twitter by royal commentator Omid Scobie shows the streets surrounding Windsor Castle filled with royal fans.

However, Scobie later told his followers that the crowds had gathered to watch the changing of the guard.

While it's not been confirmed where the Duchess of Sussex will give birth, many suspect it will be at Frogmore Cottage, where her and the Duke of Sussex have been living since the beginning of this month.

"Windsor is a very special place for their Royal Highnesses and they are grateful that their official residence will be on the estate," read a statement released by Kensington Palace when the move was announced.

Has the royal baby name already been revealed?

There are some clues 

The royal baby is expected any day now. While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have kept almost every detail surrounding the birth private, some people think the name and gender might have already been revealed by mistake.

If you try and access Buckingham Palace's website with the names Prince Arthur, Prince James and Prince Alexander in the URL as per below, it takes you to the main page.

www.royal.uk/prince-NAME

However, if you try and access pages on the website for other rumoured names using the same format, such as Diana, it says "Page not found".

This has led to reports that the baby will be a boy and will have one of the three aforementioned names.

Watch this space.

Meghan Markle is saving a special heirloom to pass on to her daughter

The royal baby is due any day now, and while it's not yet certain whether the couple are having a girl or a boy, if they have a daughter, she'll be given a special gift that the Duchess of Sussex has been saving for a number of years.

Speaking to Hello! magazine in 2015, Markle said: “I’ve always coveted the Cartier French Tank watch.”

The watch is available at Watches of Switzerland for £4,800 

So when the former Suits actor found out that the show had been picked up for a third season, she “totally splurged” and bought a two-tone version of the watch.  

Markle even engraved the classic piece with “To M.M. From M.M” - and revealed she plans to “give it to [her] daughter one day.”

Following suggestions that the palace had accidentally given away the name of the royal baby via a glitch on the Royal Family website, a spokesperson for the palace has now denied this is the case.

The theory arose after attempts to access the site with the names Prince Arthur, Prince James and Prince Alexander in the URL as per below, took you to the main page.  

www.royal.uk/prince-NAME

When names such as Diana were entered, users were brought to a "Page not found" link.

However, a palace spokesperson has told Yahoo: "A large number of search term redirects were set up some time ago on royal.uk. This was in order to improve user experience. 

"For guidance you will note that other names preceded by 'prince' or 'princess' produce the same result."