Meghan and Harry are bucking the tradition of royal baby photo calls. Here’s why

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, was introduced to the world, cradled in Princess Diana’s arms, at a photo call on the steps of the Lindo Wing, the private maternity ward at London’s St. Mary’s Hospital, just days after his birth in September 1984.

As Harry prepares to become a father himself, however, he and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, don’t plan to expose their newborn son or daughter to the glare of the world’s press in the same way.

Harry and Meghan have broken with modern convention by choosing to keep all details of the new arrival private. We don’t even know where the birth will be, whether at hospital or at home.

The couple said in a statement on April 11 that they “look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family.”

We will be informed when the Duchess has gone in to labor and again, once the baby is born. Then, when the couple is ready, a small group of journalists, photographers and camera crews will be invited to capture the first images of the new family.

As in many other areas, Harry and Meghan are doing this in their own way, but their decision to avoid a high profile public “unveiling” for baby as soon as possible has become a talking point in itself.