Princess Eugenie, a member of the British royal family, has reportedly given birth to a baby boy named Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank at the renowned Portland Hospital.
This hospital has witnessed the arrival of many famous babies, including Princess Eugenie herself in 1990 and her firstborn son, August, two years ago.
It is worth noting that Meghan Markle, the wife of Eugenie’s cousin, also gave birth to her eldest son, Prince Archie, at the same hospital in 2019.
Shortly after Archie’s birth, the media managed to obtain his birth certificate, which revealed that Prince Harry had provided the necessary information for the document 11 days after his son’s arrival.
This compliance with legislation was duly noted.
When news of Archie’s birth at the Portland Hospital broke, a hospital spokesperson sent their congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex without directly confirming their connection to the hospital.
The spokesperson refrained from commenting further due to confidentiality reasons, leaving much unknown to the public.
However, three years later, Meghan Markle discussed the birth of her son on a Netflix show.
She revealed that she chose not to give birth at St Mary’s Hospital, where most women in the royal family deliver their babies, because she had a longstanding relationship with her doctor who was based at the Portland Hospital.
This decision, though common in the United States, differs from the usual practice in the United Kingdom.
In the UK, private doctors can attend any hospital, whereas in the US, doctors are typically associated with specific hospitals.
A UK parenting coach, who assists clients during childbirth and is familiar with the workings of hospitals like the Portland, explained that all doctors there are private practitioners who can deliver babies at any hospital of the mother’s choosing.
Contrary to Meghan’s claim that the Portland was chosen due to a difficult birth, a private maternity nurse and TikToker stated that she would not accept patients wishing to use the Portland due to perceived risks.
The absence of an emergency room and Accident & Emergency (A&E) department at the Portland Hospital suggests that, in case of any complications, Meghan would have been transferred by ambulance to a nearby NHS A&E department.
The Portland Hospital is known for catering to celebrity clientele, attracting those who desire influence.
In the Netflix show, Meghan also revealed her concerns about giving birth at the age of 37, as her pregnancy was considered high-risk.
She expressed her worries, saying, “I’d been really worried about going into that labor because I’m older and I didn’t know if I’d have to have a c-section.”
Online discussions have highlighted that the Portland Hospital, unlike St Mary’s where most royals give birth, does not have an emergency department.
However, it is legally permitted for specialized private hospitals in the UK not to have this facility.
Meghan has recently offered different explanations for not posing with her newborn outside the hospital.
During the Oprah interview in 2021, she cited concerns for Archie’s safety as the reason.
However, in the 2022 Netflix show, she claimed that she had wanted to take the photo but was informed it would be impossible due to the potential disruption it could cause to the hospital’s emergency room.
It was explained that barricading the streets for a photo op would pose a threat to the hospital’s operations.
Another member of the royal family, Sarah Ferguson, the former daughter-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II, also gave birth to her two daughters at the Portland Hospital in 1988 and 1990.
On both occasions, she posed outside the hospital with her newborns, allowing photographers to capture the moment.