Meghan Markle Will Likely Skip This Controversial Baby Tradition (And Is 'Sorry' Kate Had to Do It)

In case you haven't noticed, Meghan Markle has been trailblazing a new way to have a  royal baby. She’s reportedly having a home birth (most royal babies are born in the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's hospital in London) and she had a not-sanctioned baby shower. 

Now, there are reports that Markle is changing the rules in the biggest way yet: she’s planning to keep the arrival of her little one private. (Cue flashbacks to Kylie Jenner keeping the birth of Stormi on the down-low.)

A statement from the Palace said: "Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private. The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family.” 

This has huge implications on Meghan’s participation in perhaps the most controversial royal baby tradition: the post-birth pictures. 

According to Cosmopolitan, "Part of what [The Palace’s] statement translates to is that Meghan is opting out of the post-birth photo call tradition that Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, and Sarah Ferguson have all been part of, getting made up and dressed for photographers outside the Lindo Wing right after giving birth to a baby royal.”

The post-birth photo tradition has long been labeled as “sexist” by critics because it requires women to hide the pain and work of childbirth and to look not only socially acceptable, but beautiful, after a life-changing event known for its gore. Most recently, Keira Knightley caught media attention for criticizing Kate Middleton’s participation in the tradition. 

"She was out of hospital seven hours later with her face made up and high heels on," Knightley wrote of Middleton. "The face the world wants to see. Hide. Hide our pain, our bodies splitting, our breasts leaking, our hormones raging. Look beautiful, look stylish."

Apparently, Markle is a similar school of thought. One of Markle's friends told tabloid Page Six that the duchess “felt sorry” for Kate Middleton’s involvement in the photo tradition. That’s more evidence that Markle will likely not participate in the common media move.

Love her or hate her, you have to admit that Markle is doing her pregnancy her way. That’s something to be admired, even if I am a bit disappointed we probably won't see the new baby for quite some time...