Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce they will keep arrival of their first child 'private'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made a special announcement to reveal they will keep arrival of their first child 'private'.

The update comes just weeks before the couple is due to become parents for the first time, and at a time when speculation is rife as to where Meghan will give birth to the royal baby.

The couple revealed they have chosen to experience this special time in private, but will have a photocall a few days after the birth - which will be the first time we get to see the new royal bundle of joy.

The announcement read: 'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very grateful for the goodwill they have received from people throughout the United Kingdom and around the world as they prepare to welcome their baby.

'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.'

While now we know for certain we won't be seeing Meghan on the steps of the Lindo Wing, it's not clear where the Duchess of Sussex will be giving birth.

She could pick a hospital closer to her new home in Windsor and make sure she has more privacy, or she could even opt for a home birth like some experts have suggested.

This is a move away from what Diana and Kate Middleton did when they gave birth to their kids, but not new to the royals, as the Queen welcomed all her children at home.

The announcement comes after Meghan was urged to skip the post-birth baby photo, as some believe it puts more pressure on new mums to recover quickly.

Chelsea Hirschhorn, who’s the CEO of parenting Fridababy and a mother-of-three herself, published an ad on The New York Times aimed directly at Meghan, asking her to skip the royal tradition.

The ad read: 'When the “big reveal” day arrives but you’re feeling like all the King’s horses and all the King’s men couldn’t put your vagina back together again – use this stage to do your part for all women who are about to embark on their first “fourth trimester”. Skip the pomp and circumstance of the baby parade.

‘Let the headlines instead read: “Prince Brings Royal Baby Out Because Mom Is In Bed Sitting on a Pack of Ice.”'