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Meghan and Harry NOT following Royal protocol when it comes to childcare

Choosing more traditional methods instead

By Practical Parenting team

January 25 2019

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not be choosing a nanny for their new baby, instead opting to have Meghan’s mum Doria help out.

The majority of royal couples, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, choose to hire a professional nanny to help look after their children.

This evening The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the premiere of @Cirquedusoleil's Totem - raising awareness and funds for @Sentebale's work supporting vulnerable children and young people affected by HIV in southern Africa. Their Royal Highnesses met some of the cast members ahead of the show before taking their seats. The funds raised tonight will help @Sentebale - a charity founded in 2006 by The Duke with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho - with their work across Lesotho, Botswana and Malawi.

According to reports from Vanity Fair, the Royal couple plan to move into their new home, Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, before their baby arrives in April.

The couple are said to be planning an eco-friendly, gender-neutral nursery which will include a bedroom, playroom, and a spare bedroom, for when Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, comes to stay.

Today The Duchess of Sussex made her first visit to @TheMayhew since becoming Patron - Mayhew is a grassroots charity working in a unique way to improve the lives of animals and people to better communities both in London and internationally. Mayhew looks for innovative ways to reduce the number of animals in need through pro-active community and educational initiatives and preventative veterinary care. Among the people she met was Wully, a formerly homeless pet refuge service user, and his two dogs Azzy and Gallis - The Duchess found out about the different ways Mayhew's animal welfare officers have supported Wully and his pets over the past 11 years. Her Royal Highness also met Roobarb the dog, who is part of Mayhew's dog therapy programme TheraPaws, which puts smiles on the faces of vulnerable individuals. The Duchess met volunteers who dedicate their time to Mayhew community programmes, including the trap, neuter and return programme, which controls and cares for the feral cat communities in London. And Her Royal Highness was also able to meet the team behind Mayhew's international work, which includes an overseas vet training programme in countries like India and Afghanistan to help improve animal welfare.

Sources close to the couple say they “do not plan to hire a nanny or nurse initially, and will instead rely on the help of Meghan’s mother.”

The Duchess is a big fan of neutral tones, and the couple are believed to have chosen a white-and-grey colour scheme in the nursery. Apparently the nursery has been painted using vegan paint infused with eucalyptus oil.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are also reportedly building a separate guest wing and a yoga studio complete with a springboard floor.