WARDS AWAY
Inside ‘Meghan Markle’s £20k maternity ward’ at Portland Hospital with four-poster baby cots, champagne-on-demand and a lobster celebration meal
The duchess was driven to the hospital by Harry late on Sunday
AS all mums and midwives know, labour doesn't always go to plan.
And while Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were hoping for a home birth this weekend, it has been reported that the Duchess of Sussex was driven to the luxurious Portland Hospital in London late on Sunday evening, before giving birth to a royal baby boy just hours later.
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While the new parents never revealed their birthing plan, it was widely speculated that if Meghan was to end up having a hospital birth, she would choose the NHS-run Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey.
However, it's now been reported that Meghan opted for the luxurious £20k Portland Hospital - where pal Victoria Beckham gave birth.
And with lobster dinners, champagne-on-demand and four-poster baby cots, it couldn't be more different to the much more basic Frimley Park.
The American-run hospital is known for its A-list patients, including Liz Hurley, Jools Oliver and the Duchess of York, with some VIP mums spending hundreds of thousands of pounds having their babies.
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It's easy to see how the bill could rack up over a number of days.
The Portland offers five-star hotel service for new mums, with 36 private rooms as well as a nursery.
The pricier suites cost £1,800 per night and feature a separate lounge area and en-suite.
It's also reported the exclusive hospital has a selection of rooms reserved for royalty and other VIPs that cost upwards of £2,000.
Then there's the 24-hour room service, luxurious Molton Brown toiletries and suites for family and visitors.
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While the cheapest "birthing package" costs around £15,000, it's reported that some mums spend an eye-watering £500,000 - depending on the number of nights they stay and other services they require.
Having an epidural adds almost £1,000 to the bill while an induction costs upwards of £600.
A forceps delivery is priced at around £140.
Half of all patients at The Portland opt for a Caesarean section, however, with consultant Shazia Malik known for "doing a good scar".
A consultant-led package with a planned C-section costs around £20,000.
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Once the new baby has arrived, new mums can enjoy a "celebration meal" including afternoon tea, lobster, oysters, foie gras and champagne - delivered on luxurious silver platters.
There's also over 50 full-time midwives, and nursery nurses on hand to change nappies - as well as a nursery where new mums can "check in" their babies for the night, to catch up on some much-needed sleep.
And it's not just mums receiving the VIP package.
While new Portland babies sleep in plastic baby cots similar to those used in NHS hospitals, if parents choose, they can opt for something a little different.
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Exclusive nursery furniture brand, Dragons of Walton Street, provide a range of baby cots, including £3.5k Moses baskets decorated with lace and hand-cut glass crystals, and a four-poster Little Duchess cot, which would set you back £14k.
"It’s like having a holiday," explained Janene Madden, former CEO of The Portland.
"After two to three days you leave fit and well. You only have to pick up Hello! magazine to see the patients we have here in the hospital."
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And when it's finally time to be discharged, Portland mums and babies are provided with a goodie bag including luxurious toys, (more) champagne and a complimentary photo shoot.
It's understood that Meghan arrived at the hospital late on Sunday evening, before delivering her first child in the early hours of Monday morning, with Harry and mum Doria Ragland by her side.
The visit to The Portland was said to be so secretive, even senior royals were unaware.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment, but sources confirmed that a hospital delivery had taken place.
Within hours the couple were back at Frogmore where Harry gave an impromptu press conference.
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The beaming dad couldn't stop gushing as he announced Meghan had given birth to a "very healthy baby boy".
"It's been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined," he said
"How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension. But we're both absolutely thrilled.
"We're both absolutely thrilled and so grateful for all the love and support from everybody out there, it's been amazing, so we just wanted to share this with everybody.
"I'm so incredibly proud of my wife.
"And as every father and parent would say, your baby is absolutely amazing.
"But this little thing is absolutely to die for so I'm absolutely over the moon."
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
In other Royal baby news, we told you how Harry praised new mums after Meghan gave birth to Baby Sussex in hospital.
We also revealed Harry has had "about two hours sleep" since Meghan gave birth.
And we explained Meghan's baby boy shares succession similarity to the Queen who was also born seventh in line to the throne.
Beaming Prince Harry announces wife Meghan Markle has given birth to a healthy baby boy
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