3 Relatable Details About Meghan Markle’s First Post-Baby Appearance

Published May 8, 2019

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2:53pm

I had just set my 15-month old son down for his 8:30 a.m. nap when I got wind (via approximately a zillion texts) that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry had finally debuted their royal baby (whose name we now know is Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor) during a photo call at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, the very place the royal couple got hitched in May 2018. My fingers couldn’t move fast enough as I pulled up the video announcement and cried out to my nearby (and slightly disinterested) husband to come “ooh” and “aah” by my side.

A new(ish) mom myself, watching Meghan and Harry, I couldn't help but think back to the 48-hour whirlwind that was my life when my own “little prince” had just arrived. As I watched the royal parents answer questions (a royal first to give an interview like that!), there were three very relatable details about Meghan that stood out.

Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images

1. Meghan’s Hair

I mean this in the kindest way possible: Meghan’s mane—which is usually sleekly blown out or swept up in a bun—was polished, but far from perfectly coiffed. It was actually a bit stringy on the ends, and appeared to be the result of a mom who, overnight, has had to come to terms with no longer being able to put herself first. Does Meghan have royal help? Of course. A glam squad on speed dial? Sure. But that doesn’t mean she’s any less sleep-deprived or time-challenged as she enters this new role.

2. Her Baby Bump

Yes, Meghan went sleeveless and, yes, she was wearing heels (we’re bowing down), but her double-breasted shirtdress from Grace Wales Bonner was belted above her postpartum bump, a prominent—and rah-rah reminder—that, no, the baby weight doesn’t go away overnight. Kate Middleton famously made a similar statement, appearing in an empire-waisted dress to introduce Prince George back in 2013. In my case? I lived in my maternity clothes for a good six weeks after my son arrived. Brava, Meghan, for keeping it real.

Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images

3. Her Maternal Instincts...and Inner Calm

I'm no expert in body language, but I can read “new mom” vibes like it’s my job. And even though Prince Harry was the one holding their newborn babe, Meghan stayed close, touching Archie’s head, rubbing his shoulder and periodically peeping to be sure he was happy, calm and, welp, breathing throughout. (Speaking from experience, it’s a very common fear with newborns.) After all, she’s now his protector with a “mama bear” instinct that I recall kicked in from the minute I held my own newborn son. Still, what impressed me about Meghan was the inner calm she projected. A benefit of a lifelong yoga practice? Maybe. Or perhaps it was the knowledge that her own mom Doria was nearby in the next room.

3 Relatable Details About Meghan Markle’s First Post-Baby Appearance

1. Meghan’s Hair

2. Her Baby Bump

3. Her Maternal Instincts...and Inner Calm

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