All the Ways Meghan Markle Hid Her Baby Bump Before Announcing Her Pregnancy With Prince Harry

Scroll on to see how they’ve managed to keep the news of their growing family private.

Given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Harry and Meghan have recently attended fewer in-person events than they have in years past. Although, they’ve continued to champion the causes close to their hearts by participating in video calls and volunteering in a socially distant way. But because there have been fewer public engagements this year, they’ve been able to keep the pregnancy news to themselves for a little longer.

Speaking of video calls, Meghan and Harry made a virtual cameo and surprised a poetry class just last week. However, Meghan kept the camera at chest level so nobody could see her baby bump.

It’s unclear how far along Meghan is in her pregnancy. However, it’s possible she concealed her baby bump with her clothing. In late December, for instance, she was spotted wearing a long black sweater and dark-colored J. Crew coat. And while the duchess likely wore the winter attire to stay warm during this time of year, it’s also possible that, if she was pregnant at the time, she layered her clothing over a bump.

Around this time, the couple also released a Christmas card in which their dog could be seen standing in front of her stomach. “The original photo of the family was taken at their home earlier this month by The Duchess’s mother,” a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said at the time. “The small Christmas tree, including the homemade ornaments and other decorations, were selected by Archie, and the tree will be replanted after the holidays.”

But again, because the couple hasn’t shared how far along Meghan is in her pregnancy, it’s unclear if she was pregnant when this photo was shared.

As fans will recall, Harry and Meghan officially stepped back as senior members of the royal family last year. Therefore, they may not participate in the same traditions they have in the past, such as with a statement from the palace or an official photo-call once the baby is born. Instead, they can continue to do things on their terms and share whatever details thy choose.

When Meghan and Harry were expecting their firstborn Archie, they kept a lot of information around their birth plan private. For instance, it wasn’t until after the birth that fans learned the parents welcomed the child at a hospital, instead of opting for a home birth as many had speculated.

“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,” the Palace stated at the time. “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.” 

After the birth, they chose to have Archie make his public debut at the Palace versus on the hospital steps, where Prince William and Kate Middleton as well as Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana formally introduced their children to the world. Meghan and Harry also kept Archie’s christening private.