Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have taken a step back from their roles as senior royals, opting for a more private family life. However, Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, released in 2023, offered a glimpse into their journey through parenthood, revealing intimate details about the births of their children, Archie and Lilibet.
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born at London’s Portland Hospital on 6 May 2019. In a departure from royal tradition, Harry shared that Meghan used a pregnancy ball during labor and even attempted nitrous oxide to ease the pain. However, there was none left, leading to a humorous moment between Harry and the nurse. Despite the unconventional start, Meghan eventually opted for an epidural, and the couple left the hospital just hours after Archie’s birth, heading to their home at Frogmore Cottage.
In contrast to Archie’s birth, Lilibet Diana was born at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital on 4 June 2021. With the freedom of living in Montecito away from royal protocols, Harry described a more relaxed atmosphere on the day of Lilibet’s birth. The couple enjoyed a meal of burgers, fries, and fajitas brought by their bodyguards before welcoming their daughter into the world. Harry even shared a lighthearted moment of doing the “Baby Mama dance” with Meghan in the hospital room.
Harry’s memoir not only shed light on the details of Meghan’s birth experiences but also provided a glimpse into their journey as parents. The contrast between Archie and Lilibet’s births highlighted the shift in their lives after stepping back from their royal duties and embracing a more laid-back approach to parenthood. The candid account of their birth stories offered fans a new perspective on the couple’s family life.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s decision to share the intimate details of their children’s birth stories in Harry’s memoir, Spare, provided royal fans with a unique insight into their journey through parenthood. The contrast between Archie and Lilibet’s birth experiences reflected the couple’s transition to a more private life and highlighted the joy and challenges of raising their young family away from the spotlight.