Meghan Markle, 37, has stepped back from the spotlight and settled into her new Windsor home ahead of giving birth. In the weeks leading up to the royal baby’s due date, it’s understood the Duchess of Sussex has been spending downtime with family at Frogmore Cottage. While details around the royal baby’s birth are being kept under wraps seems increasingly likely Meghan could opt for a home birth.

While a home birth would mean a return to royal tradition for modern Meghan, she may break the mould in other ways.

Both Kate Middleton and Princess Diana had their babies at St Mary’s Hospital’s Lindo Wing.

Prince Charles and Prince William were both present for the birth of their children and it is expected, but not confirmed, that Prince Harry will do the same.

Prince Albert was reportedly the first royal male to break with a tradition that banned fathers from the birthing room.

But at the time of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth a witness had to be stationed in the delivery room, to “confirm the birth.”

The witness was usually a government official – the Home Secretary “verified” Queen Elizabeth’s birth.

But this tradition was done away with by 1948 and Prince Charles was born without a witness in the room – while Prince Phillip reportedly played squash.

Meghan ”doesn’t want men in suits to deliver her baby”, a source told the Daily Mail, and it’s believed she has chosen a natural birth plan over a caesarean.

But a statement released by Meghan and Harry announced they would keep details around the birth to themselves, sparking huge speculation around who will be with her during labour.

Who will be with Meghan Markle in the birthing room?

Traditionally royal births involve more than one midwife.

While home births were the norm, the royals would bring in their own doctors and nurses to the palaces and set to set up a makeshift maternity ward.

Kate Middleton and Prince William’s children were born at St Mary’s hospitals Lindo Wing, with two midwives at a handful of doctors.

As well as the midwives present for Princess Charlotte’s birth, the team also included two obstetricians, three anesthesiologists, four surgical staff members, two special care staffers, four paediatricians, and a lab technician.

We don’t know how many health care professionals are currently taking care of Meghan but we would be safe to assume it’s more than one.

Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland is rumoured to have flown over from LA ahead of Meghan’s due date.

Doria, 62, and Meghan are very close and it’s likely she will be at Meghan’s side in the birthing room.

A source close to the family told the Mirror: “Doria should be here for the birth and will be staying. But then she has to get back to her dogs and work.

“Harry and Meghan want to make Frogmore as homely as possible and Meghan has brought over a lot of posters.”

Prince Harry could also be with Meghan during labour as his royal schedule for the coming week is clear.

When will Meghan give birth?

Bookies have slashed the odds for the royal baby’s due day with this Sunday as the hot favourite.

If Meghan does give birth on April 21 her baby will be born on Easter Sunday and the Queen’s birthday.

The latest Ladbrokes odds on the royal due date are:

April 17 14/1

April 18 12/1

April 19 8/1

April 20 6/1

April 21 5/1

April 22 5/1

April 23 6/1

April 24 6/1

April 25 7/1

April 28 8/1

April 29 10/1

If the royal baby is a girl and born on April 21, then Meghan and Harry may choose to honour the Queen by naming their daughter Elizabeth.

Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said: “With hopes high of Meghan giving birth on Her Majesty’s birthday over the Easter weekend, it’s perhaps not too much of a surprise that Elizabeth is proving incredibly popular with punters to be the name the Duke and Duchess opt for.”

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