Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Style at Large
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    The ultimate daily digest for women of power, purpose, and style.


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Nordstrom's Sale
    • Sarah Sherman Samuel
    • Hopeful Books
    • Nice Talk
    • Airport Dressing
    1. Celebrity
    2. Royals

    These Are the Exact Protocols for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Royal Baby Birth

    We're in the final stretch of the countdown to the royal baby! So it only helps to know exactly what the protocol will be, so that we can all know exactly what to expect when the big day arrives and it breaks the Internet. The protocol is based off of the royal births of previous royals, including Kate Middleton and Prince William.

    Katherine J. Igoe's avatar
    By Katherine J. Igoe
    Published 27 March 2019 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Hair, Face, Head, Hand, Formal wear, Facial expression, Suit, Dress shirt, Wrist, Interaction,
    (Image credit: Chris Jackson)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    I don't know about you guys, but I am readying myself for the Royal Baby Countdown (yes, that's the official term). We're in the final stretch, so I have the BBC on TV, I'm wearing my Union Jack tee shirt, and my fingers are poised over my keyboard so that I may write eloquently and maturely about the ADORABLE CHUBBY-CHEEKED CUTENESS of the new little one (boy? girl? We'll find out!!). So it only helps to know exactly what the protocol will be, so that we can all know exactly what to expect when the big day arrives and it breaks the Internet.

    According to HELLO!, the protocol is based off of the royal births of previous royals, including Kate Middleton and Prince William. The most hilarious tradition, in my opinion, is that Queen Elizabeth is literally called on an encrypted line to be alerted to the new addition before anybody else hears about the news (I mean, aside from the new parents themselves, because, duh). I imagine the Queen sitting quietly by the phone, corgis at her feet, sipping tea, but inwardly just so excited to get the call.

    In the case of William, he told his family and Kate's family, then got to enjoy a few hours of peace and quiet before the absolute public insanity began. It stands to reason that Harry will do the same; Doria may actually be there already, so that takes care of one relative!

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    In the age of social media, previous royal births have been announced on Twitter first, then on the Royal Family website and the media. Since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have split their household from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, they might need to launch a new Twitter handle or use the Royal Family's Twitter account. (If you follow that account, you can turn on notifications on your phone to be alerted to every tweet. Just sayin'.)

    A few days later, we'll likely get the royal baby's new name. Fun fact: He or she will probably have three or four names, including a couple middle names, but might not have a title. Per HELLO!, "Her Majesty declared in 2012 that all of William and Kate's children would be known as Prince or Princesses, but there is currently no same rule for Harry's children."

    You may like
    • Prince Harry,  Meghan Markle, Princess Kate and Prince William walking in a row Prince William and Princess Kate Have a "Very Difficult Hill to Climb" With Harry and Meghan
    • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle holding hands walking 7 Reasons Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are Moving to the U.K.
    • Meghan Markle wears a gray blazer and sits next to Prince Harry, who has balding red hair Some Royals Might "Continue to Avoid" Harry and Meghan

    And then, a few weeks later, we'll get a christening—and four to seven godparents—just like Prince Louis.

    White, Headpiece, Photograph, Clothing, Dress, Wedding dress, Hair accessory, Gown, Fashion, Bride,

    (Image credit: DOMINIC LIPINSKI)

    In Meghan and Harry's case, the baby will probably be baptized at nearby Windsor Castle, and my money's still on George and Amal Clooney for grandparents. GET EXCITED.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    The ultimate daily digest for women of power, purpose, and style.

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.

    SUBSCRIBE HERE

    RELATED STORIES

    Muscle, Photography, Performance, Flash photography,

    (Image credit: WPA Pool)

    Meghan Markle: Next Baby Shower Will Be in England

    marie claire logo

    (Image credit: Marie Claire)

    Meghan and Harry's Baby Nursery Wish List 

    Explore More
    Meghan Markle Prince Harry
    Katherine J. Igoe
    Katherine J. Igoe
    Social Links Navigation
    Contributing Editor

    Katherine’s a contributing syndications editor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle. In her role, she writes stories that are syndicated by MSN and other outlets. She’s been a full-time freelancer for over a decade and has had roles with Cosmopolitan (where she covered lifestyle, culture, and fashion SEO content) and Bustle (where she was their movies and culture writer). She has bylines in New York Times, Parents, InStyle, Refinery29, and elsewhere. Her work has also been syndicated by ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, and Women’s Health, among others. In addition to her stories reaching millions of readers, content she's written and edited has qualified for a Bell Ringer Award and received a Communicator Award. 

    Katherine has a BA in English and art history from the University of Notre Dame and an MA in art business from the Sotheby's Institute of Art (with a focus on marketing/communications). She covers a wide breadth of topics: she's written about how to find the very best petite jeans, how sustainable travel has found its footing on Instagram, and what it's like to be a professional advice-giver in the modern world. Her personal essays have run the gamut from learning to dress as a queer woman to navigating food allergies as a mom. She also has deep knowledge of SEO/EATT, affiliate revenue, commerce, and social media; she regularly edits the work of other writers. She speaks at writing-related events and podcasts about freelancing and journalism, mentors students and other new writers, and consults on coursework. Currently, Katherine lives in Boston with her husband and two kids, and you can follow her on Instagram. If you're wondering about her last name, it’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.

    Read more
    Meghan Markle wears a burgundy coat with a matching polo neck and has scraped back hair, while husband Prince Harry has red hair and wears a suit
    Royals How Meghan Markle Prioritized "The Most Important Thing"
    By Amy Mackelden
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle smiling and waving in Nottingham
    Royals Prince Harry and Meghan's Holiday Plans Might Include a British Christmas
    By Kristin Contino
     
     
    Meghan Markle, in a cream dress, looking down and talking to Queen Elizabeth, wearing a green dress
    Royals Queen Elizabeth Once Suggested the Help of a Family Mentor for Meghan Markle
    By Kristin Contino
    Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Have Experienced "A Whirlwind" After an Unexpected Change Occurred "All in the Matter Of" One Week, Royal Expert Shares
    Royals Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Experienced "A Whirlwind"
    By Amy Mackelden
     
     
    Latest in Royals
    Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales (R) walk with their 13-year-old son, Prince George of Wales (C), as he arrives for his first day at Eton College on September 8, 2026
    Royals Prince George Might Be Forced to Deal With a "Bad Idea" at Eton
    SANDRINGHAM, NORFOLK - DECEMBER 25: Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
    Royals Why George, Charlotte, and Louis Skipped Remembrance Sunday
     
     
    Princess Kate wearing a new coat dress for Remembrance Sunday 2026
    Royals Princess Kate's New Coat Dress Alludes to Princess Diana
    Princess Kate wears a polka dot dress and joins Prince William at The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance event at the Royal Albert Hall, in London, on November 7, 2026
    Royals Princess Kate Brings Back the Polka Dot Trend
     
     
    Latest in News
    Coco Gauff won the 2026 WTA Finals in a lavender look from New Balance and a wintery take on the track jacket trend
    Celebrity Style Coco Gauff's Purple Track Jacket Wins at the 2026 WTA Finals
    Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales (R) walk with their 13-year-old son, Prince George of Wales (C), as he arrives for his first day at Eton College on September 8, 2026
    Royals Prince George Might Be Forced to Deal With a "Bad Idea" at Eton
     
     
    Zoe Kravitz carrying a rare vintage Fendi Baguette in New York City
    Celebrity Style Zoë Kravitz's Fendi Baguette Collection Is Growing
    Emily Ratajkowski wears a revealing Gucci white gown with a prominent leg slit and side boob
    Celebrity Style Emily Ratajkowski Delivers a New Twist on the Naked Dress
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.