Will motherhood end the British media attack on Meghan Markle?

The Duchess of Sussex experienced constant criticism following her marriage to Prince Harry

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Carolina Herrera, leave the residence of Mohammed VI of Morocco on February 25, 2019. AP

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a J Crew jacket and Rag & Bone jeans, arrive at the Moroccan Royal Federation of Equestrian Sports in Rabat on February 25, 2019. AFP

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Loyd/Ford and Babaton, visit the Kasbah of the Udayas near Rabat on February 25, 2019. AFP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Dior, and Prince Harry at a reception hosted by the British Ambassador to Morocco at the British Residence in Rabat, Morocco, on February 24, 2019. EPA

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in an Alice + Olivia blazer, visit the Education For All boarding house in Asni Town in Morocco, on February 24, 2019. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Givenchy, arrives at Casablanca Airport in Morocco on February 23, 2019. EPA

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, exits The Mark Hotel following her baby shower in New York on February 20, 2019. Reuters

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a vintage Courreges coat, exits a hotel in New York on February 19, 2019. Reuters

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a Calvin Klein dress and Amanda Wakeley coat at a gala performance of 'The Wider Earth' at the Natural History Museum in London on February 12, 2019. AFP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Oscar de la Renta to visit boxing charity Empire Fighting Chance on February 1, 2019 in Bristol, England. Getty

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Givenchy at the City University of London, on January 31, 2019. EPA

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Brandon Maxwell for a visit to the National Theatre. her first since becoming its patron, in London on January 30, 2019. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a Roland Mouret gown and Stuart Weitzman heels to the premiere of Cirque du Soleil's 'Totem' at the Royal Albert Hall in London on January 16, 2019. AFP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a H&M maternity knit dress, Emporio Armani coat and Paul Andrew heels to animal welfare charity Mayhew in London on January 16, 2019. AFP

Megan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a Sentaler coat, Babaton dress, Gabriela Hearst bag and Stuart Weitzman shoes at Birkenhead Town Hall on January 14, 2019. Getty

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wears an Oscar de la Renta coat, Hatch dress and Gianvito Rossi heels visit the Smart Works charity in Londo on January 10, 2019. / AFP / Ben STANSALL

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a Victoria Beckham outfit to attend the Christmas Day Church service in Sandringham, Norfolk, on December 10, 2018. EPA

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a Soia & Kyo coat, Brock Collection dress and Aquazzura heels to visit the Royal Variety Charity's residential nursing and care home in Twickenham on 18 December, 2018. AFP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Givenchy at The Fashion Awards on December 10, 2018 in London. Getty

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a Club Monaco dress to the Hubb Community Kitchen in London on November 21, 2018. Reuters

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Safiyaa to The Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium on November 19, 2018 in London. Getty

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wears a belt two-piece suit and Aquazzura heels to the Centenary Of The Armistice Service at Westminster Abbey on November 11, 2018 in London. WireImage

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wears Givenchy to the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at The Cenotaph on November 11, 2018 in London. Getty

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a Stella McCartney coat and Manolo Blahnik shoes to the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on November 10, 2018 in London. Getty

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wears a men's Oslo jacket and Outland Denim jeans in Rotorua, New Zealand, on October 31, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Givenchy and Manolo Blahnik heels in Rotorua, New Zealand on October 21, 2018. Getty

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Stella McCartney and a traditional korowai at the Te Papaiouru Marae on October 31, 2018 in Rotorua, New Zealand. Getty

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Antonio Berardi and Aquazzura heels at the Auckland War Memorial Museum in Auckland, New Zealand, on October 30, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a Brandon Maxwell dress, Burberry coat and Stuart Weitzman heels to meet the public in Auckland's Viaduct on October 30, 2018 in New Zealand. Getty

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a Karen Walker blazer, J Crew jeans, and Muck Boots at The North Shore Riding Club in Auckland on October 30, 2018. AFP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wears a Maggie Marilyn dress and Manolo Blahnik heels during a visit to Courtney Creative on October 29, 2018 in Wellington, New Zealand. Getty

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wears a Seasalt jacket, Outland Denim jeans and Stella McCartney trainers at Abel Tasman National Park in New Zealand on October 29, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a Club Monaco jacket, Outland Denim jeans and Stuart Weitzman boots outside the Maranui Cafe in Wellington, New Zealand on October 29, 2018. Reuters

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wears a Gabriela Hearst dress and Stuart Weitzman heels at Government House in Wellington, New Zealand, on October 28, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wears a Karen Walker coat and Asos dress at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington, New Zealand, on October 28, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a Hugo Boss dress and Aquazzura heels in Sydney on October 28, 2018. AFP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Antonio Berardi and Aquazzura heels at the Invictus Games in Sydney, on October 27, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wears a Scanlan Theodore jacket, Outland Denim jeans and Sarah Flint shoe at The Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia, on October 27, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Oscar de la Renta at the Australian Geographic Society Gala Awards event in Sydney, Australia, on October 26, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Veronica Beard to Tupou College in Tonga, on October 26, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Martin Grant at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre on October 26, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Getty

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Theia and Aquazzura heels to a state dinner in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, on October 25, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Self-Portrait and Manolo Blahnik heels at Fua'amotu airport in Tonga on October 25, 2018. AFP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Jason Wu and Manolo Blahnik in Nadi, Fiji, on October 25, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wears a Figue dress and Castaner wedges at the University of the South Pacific in Suva on October 24, 2018. AFP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Safiyaa to an official dinner in Suva, Fiji, on October 23, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Zimmerman and Tabitha Simmons shoes to an official welcome ceremony at Albert Park as they arrive in Suva, Fiji, on October 23, 2018. Reuters

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wears a Reformation dress and Sarah Flint sandals on Fraser Island, Australia, on October 22, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Veja trainers and Outland Denim jeans to sail across Sydney Harbour on October 21, 2018 in Australia. WireImage

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a L'Agence blazer and Wolford sweater in Sydney on October 21, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears an Altuzarra blazer, Mother jeans and Tabitha Simmons shoes at the Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia, on October 20, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Emilia Wickstead at an ANZAC Memorial at Hyde Park in Sydney on October 20, 2018. AFP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Roksanda and Stuart Weitzman heels at Kirribilli House in Sydney on October 19, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Martin Grant at Bondi Beach in Sydney on October 19, 2018. AFP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a Club Monaco dress and Martin Grant coat in Melbourne on October 18, 2018. Reuters

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a Dion Lee dress at Government House in Melbourne, Australia, on October 18, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a Serena Williams blazer, Maison Kitsune shirt and Outland Denim jeans during a visit to the Dubbo College Senior Campus in Australia on October 17, 2018. AFP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Brandon Maxwell in Sydney, Australia, on October 16, 2018. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a Karen Gee dress, Martin Grant trench and Stuart Weitzman heels at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, on October 16, 2018. Reuters

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Givenchy to the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on October 12, 2018. Getty

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears an & Other Stories shirt and Hugo Boss to the Joff Youth Centre in Peacehaven, Sussex on October 3, 2018. Getty

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Givenchy to open 'Oceania' at the Royal Academy of Arts on September 25, 2018 in London. Getty

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears an Oscar de la Renta top, Altuzarra trousers and Aquazzura heels to the Coach Core Awards held at Loughborough University on September 24, 2018. WireImage

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Givenchy for a picture taken in September 2018 to commemorate prince Charles's 70th birthday. Clarence House via Getty Images

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears a Smythe coat, Misha Nonoo skirt and Sarah Flint heels to launch a cookbook with recipes from a group of women affected by the Grenfell Tower fire at Kensington Palace on September 20, 2018 in London. Getty

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wears Jason Wu and Aquazzura heels at 100 Days to Peace in London on September 6, 2018. AFP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wear an Altuzarra blazer at the WellChild awards in London on September 4, 2018. Getty

Just one year ago Meghan Markle was described as a “breath of fresh air” for Britain’s royal family. As an American biracial divorcee, the new Duchess of Sussex was hailed by the media for ringing in the changes for an old-fashioned institution.

But within months of her announcing she was due to welcome her first child with Prince Harry, the tide began to turn.

With a consistent undertone of dog-whistling racism, the right-leaning press focused endless coverage on Meghan as a demanding “diva”, circulated unfounded rumours about a feud with her sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge and described her decision not to give birth at a hospital 40 kilometres away from her home as a “snub”.

The arrival of her newborn son marks another change for Britain's royal family. The child will be the first to be born into the House of Windsor with black ancestry as Meghan's mother – Doria Ragland is African-American.

While the baby will not have to partake in the same royal duties as his first cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, already there are fears how Meghan and Harry’s child-rearing choices will be reported by Britain’s tabloid press.

The Sussexes' decision to keep the birth private angered many in the media, who expect a woman who has given birth just hours before to stand outside the hospital with the newborn to be photographed by the world's press.

Their choice differs from Harry’s sister-in-law, Kate, who obliged the photocall for all three of her children. Kate followed in the footsteps of Princess Diana, who posed for photographs outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital with Prince William and Harry.

Writing in the Daily Express, columnist Carole Malone described the couple's decision as "rude" and blamed the duchess for alienating "decent, supportive royalists whose only crime is to want to share in the joy of the baby after watching her proudly clutching the bump for the last six months".

“Along comes Meghan Markle – dragging Harry behind her – and slaps those good people in the face,” she wrote.

The Sun described the move as "the shattering of a tradition that goes back for decades".

But royal historian Marlene Koenig said Meghan and Harry’s choice is in line with that of many siblings of heirs to the throne.

Sarah Ferguson, the former wife of Prince Andrew, chose to have her two daughters at the Portland Hospital and waited two days before showing her newborns to the world. Sophie, the Countess of Wessex and wife of Prince Edward, had her firstborn, daughter Louise, at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey.

"Louise almost died because she had a placenta ablation. The first photo op was Edward and Sophie leaving the hospital without their baby," Koenig tells The National.

Amid British tabloids’ outcry about being left out of Baby Sussex’s arrival, there are signs that support for Meghan and Harry is strong. The couple used their brand-new Instagram account to ask well-wishers to send charitable donations rather than gifts as part of the #globalsussexbabyshower. One of the beneficiaries, the Lunchbox fund, said the donations meant they could provide a minimum of 100,000 additional meals to children in South Africa.

“That shows the power that this couple have and the good that they can do in so many different arenas that William and Catherine can’t because of their own position,” Koenig says.

At home too, defence of Meghan has come from a surprising place. The Guardian, a newspaper that has often expressed republican views, published several opinion pieces criticising attacks on her as being tinged with racism and sexism. The Independent, which in the run-up to her wedding ran articles suggesting the monarchy should be abolished, praised the duchess for deciding to keep details of the birth private.

What is clear is that intrigue in the life of the Sussexes – Meghan, Harry and Baby Sussex – is set to continue.

“There’s a sense of interest in them not just as royals but as a new kind of celebrity royal,” says historian Anna Whitelock.

“The baby is the product of a biracial marriage, the marriage of an American, which is an added dimension to it. Harry has always been a high-profile royal. This baby will always generate a level of interest.”

What remains to be seen is whether motherhood might change the British press’s perception of Meghan. Whitelock believes social media – and particularly the new Sussex Instagram account – could be the key to the duchess taking back control of the narrative around her.

“I think it will depend on how they decide to curate their own internet channels rather than using traditional media,” Whitelock says.

“I believe Meghan and Harry will become even more of a global power couple. Clearly, they have friends on both sides of the Atlantic and they speak out on causes close to them. They will have an international profile in a different way but in some senses equal to William and Kate.”