Meghan Markle and Prince Harry reveal plans to keep news of the royal baby's arrival private

In a move that will shock royal fans, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have decided to keep the birth of their baby a secret until they have "celebrated privately as a new family".

The royal couple - who are expecting their first child within weeks - released a statement insisting that they have made a "personal decision" to keep the "arrival" of their baby "private".

The statement, which was released by Kensington Palace, 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."

READ MORE:
• The Signs that the royal baby is set to arrive soon!
• Meghan Markle's new unflattering nickname

The news comes after speculation that the 37-year-old - who recently moved into their new house in Windsor, Frogmore Cottage - has appointed an "unnamed" female obstetrician to supervise the birth a maternity unit which is closer to her home.

The plans are a break from recent royal tradition which saw the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - Harry's brother and sister-in-law - welcome their three children, Prince George, five, Princess Charlotte, three, and 12-month-old Prince Louis, at the Lindo Wing, which is the private maternity ward at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London.

The Lindo Wing is also where the late Princess Diana and Prince Charles had both Prince William and Harry in 1982 and 1984.