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How Meghan Markle's friendship with Gayle King shattered royal protocol to give CBS all access to Baby Archie

Many noted that this could be because CBS' 'This Morning' show is fronted by Meghan's dear friend and confidante Gayle King, who was a guest at the Duchess's baby shower in New York
UPDATED FEB 13, 2020
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (Source:Getty Images)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (Source:Getty Images)

Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle broke yet another tradition on Wednesday, May 8, as they invited American television station CBS to cover the first appearance of their newborn son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.  A camera crew of the US broadcaster was invited by the members of the British royal family for the first time for such an occasion.

Many noted that the move came because CBS' 'This Morning' show is fronted by Meghan's dear friend and confidante Gayle King, who was a guest at the Duchess's baby shower in New York.

A small media contingent was present at the Windsor Castle for the first official shoot of the Sussex family, including a photographer and reporter from the Press Association, and a second cameraman from British broadcaster Sky. CBS was the only foreign media outlet present for the photocall at the Castle on Wednesday, gaining first pictures of the royal baby boy, Archie, and his parents.

CBS' 'This Morning' show host Gayle King is the Duchess of Sussex's dear friend and confidante. (Getty Images)

The couple seemingly also chose to time the three-minute long media conference to correspond with the US breakfast TV shows, one of which King is a host.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, however, were criticized for the move by Queen Elizabeth II's former press spokesperson Dickie Arbiter who took to Twitter to write the couple was "treading on dodgy ground".

"Choosing a US Network, friend or not, is treading on dodgy ground. That the inclusion of CBS in the pool means the pictures will make US Breakfast Shows is a fatuous excuse," the former royal press secretary tweeted.

The move from the royal couple comes after their new press secretary, Sara Latham, reportedly failed to alert the media about Meghan going into labor on Monday, May 6. Reports state that Harry and Meghan, who is an American citizen, had particularly asked for a US camera crew to be among the media contingent for their baby's first pictures. It is believed that their request was initially refused because UK journalists are traditionally invited for the occasion to "represent" the British taxpayers who fund the monarchy.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex show their baby to the media contingent at the Windsor Castle (Getty Images)

The royal couple, however, reportedly insisted despite being informed that the move may not go down well with Commonwealth organizations. A royal source reportedly told the Daily Mail that despite CBS' presence in the contingent, the TV station would not receive any exclusive content from the photo shoot and would be expected to share all of its material with others.

A radiant Meghan alongside Prince Harry who was holding their baby boy on Wednesday told the contingent: "It's magic, it's pretty amazing.  He's just been the dream so it's been a special couple of days. I have the two best guys in the world so I'm really happy. He has the sweetest temperament, he's really calm."

Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday became the first member of the royal family to meet the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's newborn son. The couple had taken their son to meet the 93-year-old monarch at Windsor Castle in the afternoon.

The baby boy was born on Monday, May 6, at 5.26 am and weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces. The royal baby is Queen Elizabeth II's eighth great-grandchild.

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