LONDON (Reuters) – For Britons wearied by the endless contortions of their countrys exit from the European Union, the impending birth of Prince Harry and his American wife Meghans first baby is set to provide some welcome light relief.
FILE PHOTO: Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry the Duke of Sussex visit the Andalusian Gardens in Rabat, Morocco February 25, 2019. Facundo Arrizabalaga/Pool via REUTERS
Even though the child will only be seventh in line to the British throne, such has been the interest in the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as Harry and Meghan are officially known, that his or her birth is set to grab headlines across the globe.
“There will be huge interest in Harry and Meghans baby,” said Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty magazine. “Its another potential grandchild for Diana, its the mixture of Harry and Meghan and its less than a year since they were married so the interest is going to be enormous.”
There has long been fascination with the British royal family, particularly in the United States, and the younger members such as Harry, 34, his elder brother William, 36, and their spouses are regularly greeted by large crowds and feted like film stars.
Some two billion people were estimated to have watched the 2011 wedding of William to wife Kate and tens of millions tuned in to see the marriage of Harry, son of heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles and his late first wife Diana, to U.S. actress Meghan at Windsor Castle last May.
Their union, bringing together royalty and celebrity, has proved an irresistible combination for the worlds media.
“I think people really fell in love with their love story,” said Laura Hills, Assistant Editor (Features & Royal) at OK! Magazine.
“The fairytale of … the prince falling for the American actress and for sort of the Hollywood side of her life, the fact she was on a Netflix TV show and now … shes attending royal engagements so I think that definitely creates a wider interest.”
During an event in January, Meghan, 37, revealed that she was six months pregnant and she is not expected to carry out any more official engagements before the birth.
“Its all very exciting,” said Rosie ODea, 25, as she walked across Westminster Bridge near parliament. “Its showing that the royal family is a little bit more progressive than maybe thought before, with Meghan from the States and a bi-racial baby and everything and thats brilliant.”
“You know I think they kind of need to show that theyre in keeping with the times as well,” she added.
CHANGED PERCEPTIONS
Leon Campbell, who was skateboarding near the London Eye ferris wheel, said the couple had helped change perceptions about the royals.
“Ill be more interested in this (royal baby) because Harry is the cool one, … hes the wild card, hes the ginger one,” he said.
Veteran royal editor Robert Jobson from Londons Evening Standard newspaper said it would be a very special baby whose arrival would match the excitement generated by the birth of Prince George, Williams first son and a future king.
“The reality is Meghan – American, divorcee, bi-racial, marries Prince Harry – their child is going to be an incredibly important child in terms of the monarchy but also in terms of America. You know she is very much Americas princess,” he told Reuters.
“I have not seen this much interest in anybody, not even Kate when she married Prince William.” Read More – Source
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