Pregnant Meghan Markle Bashed for Sharing Her Happy News on 'Super Sensitive' Day
Having a baby is always a happy occasion, right? It’s the start of a new life, a foretaste of things to come.
A pregnancy is positively packed with promise. A new life may turn into an incredible entertainer, an engineering prodigy or a political powerhouse.
We simply don’t know, and that lack of knowledge makes it all the fun. Of course, even when we have more than an inkling as to a little one’s future course, it’s still pretty enjoyable — and doubly so when the infant to come happens to be royal.
According to the Associated Press, Meghan Markle (aka the Duchess of Sussex) and Prince Harry have announced that they will be having a baby. Meghan will deliver in the Spring of 2019.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting a baby in the spring, Kensington Palace has announced https://t.co/fosou6881x pic.twitter.com/Zpimvc3VzA
— ITV News (@itvnews) October 15, 2018
“Their royal highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public,” Kensington Palace wrote in a statement. Indeed, the royal-watching public is probably just as thrilled as the happy couple.
Rumors swirled about the possibility of a new royal bundle since before the two even tied the knot. Even now there are questions about where exactly the little one will land on the royal hierarchy.
The Evening Standard reported that the Prince and Duchess’ child won’t have the title of prince or princess. Royal rules state that only offspring of the king or queen or any grandchildren in the male line should be called prince or princess.
Ordinarily that would mean that Prince George alone could claim the title. But Queen Elizabeth modified the rule so that all of William and Kate’s kids could claim the honorific.
Still, not everyone is entirely pleased with Harry and Meghan’s announcement or the niceties of the child’s title. Why? Because of the day on which they decided to share their news.
They made the announcement on Oct. 15. “What’s the big deal with October 15?” you may ask.
Well, that’s International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, a 24-hour period to mourn for children who perished in birth, miscarriage, or from SIDS or other such ailments. Plenty of royal watchers took to social media to chastise the couple.
“Congratulations to all the new mums and dads who get no media attention who announced that they were expecting,” Daniel Brewer wrote on Twitter. “Oh and by the way today is International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.”
“A bit insensitive if you ask me,” a user named Gaynor tweeted. “It’s baby loss and bereavement day.”
Henry Smith, a member of U.K. Parliament, also tweeted, “On their pregnancy news, I wish the Duke & Duchess of Sussex well. As someone who’s had a baby son die, it’s regrettable that they announced this on Infant Loss Remembrance Day.”
However, not everyone was critical. The Sun noted that Ruth Bender Atik of the Miscarriage Association said, “I imagine they didn’t know. I think it’s as simple as that.
“For many people who have the deep sadness and grief of losing a baby, there was also that moment of joy when they wanted to announce their pregnancy.
“I can understand how people feel. It can be deeply hurtful but I have to be sure they had no idea of the significance of the day.”
What do you think? Was the announcement handled with a tactless touch by Meghan and Harry or was it a genuine oversight?
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