Where did Meghan give birth to Lilibet? Inside the swanky Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcomed their second child, a girl, on Friday, June 4. The duke and duchess of Sussex made the announcement on Sunday, also revealing that they had named their daughter Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. The name is an obvious nod to Harry's mother Diana, and to his grandmother Queen Elizabeth, whose most popular nickname is 'Lilibet'.
Meghan, who moved to the US after she and Harry stepped down from their posts as senior royals, gave birth to the couple's first child, Prince Archie, at a Portland Hospital in London, which hadn't been the signature go-to for the royal family in years. This time, once again, Meghan left people shocked when it was revealed that she, unlike numerous celebrity moms, did not opt for the Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles. Instead, Meghan gave birth to Lilibet at the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, which is just two hours outside of Los Angeles.
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Why Meghan chose Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
As reported by Hello magazine, a fair speculation is the much shorter distance between the hospital and Meghan and Harry's plush Los Angeles mansion where they have been living with Archie since 'Megxit'. Unlike the star-favorite Cedars Sinai which is 88 miles from the Sussexes Montecito home, the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is just a 10-minute drive from their place, making it a more convenient place for Meghan to give birth.
As the name suggests, the hospital is located in Santa Barbara, California, and has quite an impressive foundation history. All the way in 1888, a group of 50 women from the area "recognized it was time for the growing community to have a hospital" and so they founded the Santa Barabara Cottage facility that today has 519 beds, with a staff of more than 600 physicians.
According to the hospital's official website, around 2,400 new babies are delivered at the hospital every year. The rooms come equipped with Wi-Fi and a large video monitor, and expectant mothers can also order from the elaborate menu for their meals and get access to the pantry for snacks too. Each of the birthing rooms comes with a recliner, a rocking chair, as well as a sofa with several pillows amplifying the comfort of the birthing bed. Among other luxuries offered by the hospital are also room service and a jacuzzi, the website details.
Baby Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor
Meghan gave birth to the couple's daughter after she announced her pregnancy earlier this year in February, also sharing a devastating miscarriage she suffered last year. At 7 pounds, 11 ounces, Lilibet was born healthy and is said to be 'setting in' at home according to a spokesperson for the couple. As she was born in the US, Lilibet is still entitled to a US citizenship as well as a British one as Harry is still a UK citizen. Lilibet will however not inherit her princess title like her brother Archie.
In a personal statement on the couple's website, Archewell, Harry and Meghan welcomed their daughter. "On June 4, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili, they wrote, adding: "She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe. Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family."