The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are officially a family of four! Today Prince Harry and Meghan announced the birth of their daughter, Lilibet Diana. She was born Friday morning at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California, according to a statement from the couple.
“On June 4th, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili,” the couple added. “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.”
She’s named after the family nickname of her great grandmother, Queen Elizabeth and her middle name honors Harry’s mother, Princess Diana. Lili joins her brother, two-year-old Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The family is settling in together at home.
Buckingham Palace also released a statement on the happy news: “The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been informed and are delighted with the news of the birth of a daughter for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
Congratulations to the happy family and welcome to the Queen’s 11th great-grandchild!
––Sarah Shebek
Featured image courtesy of ComposedPix / Shutterstock.com
Archie is about to become a big brother. Meghan Markle announced her pregnancy—almost 37 years to the day after Princess Diana announced she and Prince Charles were expecting Prince Harry.
The soon-to-be parents of two were featured in a sweet black and white Valentine’s Day Instagram post by photographer Misan Harriman. A spokesperson for the happy couple later confirmed the pregnancy to PEOPLE.
Harriman captured a glee-filled Markle, baby bump and all, and her Prince husband with an iPad. In the stunning outdoor photo, a Carolina Herrera-clad Markle cradles her bump as Prince Harry smiles adoringly. The couple’s baby joy news follows a devastating miscarriage last July.
According to Harper’s Bazaar, Buckingham Palace released a statement on the pregnancy congratulating the couple, “Her Majesty, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and entire family are ‘delighted’ and wish them well.”
As for the due date—the couple hasn’t confirmed when their second baby is due. Markle and Prince Harry’s now-older son Archie will celebrate his second birthday on May 6. Markle and Prince Harry aren’t the first royals to have a baby in the United States. Lord and Lady Fredrick Windsor had their oldest daughter in Los Angeles back in 2013.
Between remote learning and working from home, parents have the opportunity to get creative with new schedules, routines and workspaces. According to RVshare, rental bookings are on the rise. A recent survey found that RV rentals are predicted to spike well into Fall with 69% of respondents planning to hit the road within the next 3 months.
With all of this new-found freedom, families are choosing to homeschool on the road. Each destination becomes part of the lesson plan. RVshare connected with 2 families who are hitting the road full-time.
Julie Patridge from Mount Airy, Maryland owns an event planning company, but recently decided to take her business on the road alongside her husband, four children and dog Chewy. Her family has been enjoying the outdoors for four years now and quickly noticed they were always happier when camping so they plan to homeschool and transition full-time into a camper by mid-November as soon as their house sells.
Patridge said, “There is something so freeing about living a simpler life with less stuff and more adventures! I started wondering if there was a way to make it work. I threw out the idea about two years ago and Jeff warmed up to it rather quickly. We’ve been slowly downsizing since then and are almost ready to go!”
Jenny St. Louis from Windsor, California has been traveling since July with her family. They are currently in Montana with plans to go to Idaho this weekend. Since they hit the road, they’ve stopped in California, Washington, Oregon and Montana with plans to visit most of the national parks in other states!
St. Louis said, “We decided to do it for a life change! We never saw my hubby! He was a general sales manager at a Ford dealership! Worked about 60 hours a week. So we didn’t really see him.”
If you want to take school on the road long-term or just for a short trip, RVshare allows you to do that easily with more than 100,000 rental options nationwide and flexible cancellation policies.
This has been an unprecedented year for high school seniors. School districts are working hard to give the seniors the best and most socially distant send-off they can. Bus drivers from two different school districts came up with a fun way to honor the Class of 2020.
Windsor bus drivers gave a special salute to the senior class May 8 using 22 buses to spell out, “2020” in the Windsor Central High School parking lot.
In addition to spelling out “2020” with buses, the drivers also wrote the names of each Windsor senior between the buses.
“We wanted to show them we care. It’s our way of saying goodbye and letting them know they aren’t forgotten,” said Windsor bus driver Nancy Flanagan. “They grow up with us. They first get on our bus when they’re four years old.”
One of the district’s long-time school bus drivers, Lisa Moorhead, brought the idea to the Chief Information Officer, Susanne Quigley. After reaching out the Jim Barret the high school photography teacher who was able to implement a drone to take the aerial shot.
Moorhead along with a team of drivers moved 22 buses to the high school parking lot. It took two hours to create the formation.
“Some of us have been around long enough to transport these kids since Kindergarten and some of us have only been working with the district for a few years, but the one thing we all have in common is the love for our students. This is a huge accomplishment and anyway we can show them some love, we will do it. So here’s to the Class of 2020. Your bus drivers are proud of all of you,”said Jennifer Bloom Bowman, a bus driver for the district.
While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are spending their holiday in Canada, the royal family’s 2019 Christmas card is getting plenty of attention!
In the days leading up to Christmas, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s e-card popped up just about everywhere on social media. The sweet black and white pic prominently features the couple’s son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor—and he is absolutely adorable.
Even though the card couldn’t be cuter, it’s already become the target of Photoshop claims. In response, Markle’s friend and the photographer behind the pic, Janina Gavankar, re-posted the card on Instagram with the caption, “So proud to have taken the Christmas photo for one of my best friends and her family. Here’s the original that was sent out (cropped to fit IG).”
While some of the e-card recipients did tweet or Instagram the family photo, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose not to post their 2019 holiday card on social media. Instead, Markle and Prince Harry sent out warm holiday wishes to their fans via Instagram, with a post reading, “Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s son Archie is the fourth royal little christened in the past few years—following on the heels of his cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Even though the official pics of Archie’s, George’s, Charlotte’s and Louis’s christenings may look fairly similar, there are some notable differences. Unlike his cousins, Archie’s big day was not an entirely public event, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex expressing their desire to have a private, intimate celebration for close family and friends.
Archie’s small-sized event didn’t share a venue with any of his cousins. With a guest list limited to 25, the ceremony was held at Queen Elizabeth’s private chapel at Windsor Castle. Prince George and Prince Louis were christened at St. James’s Palace’s Royal Chapel and Princess Charlotte had her ceremony at Sandringham’s St. Mary Magdalene church in Norfolk.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released four official photographs to mark the christening of Prince Louis on Monday 9th July.
The photographs were taken by Matt Holyoak at Clarence House, following Prince Louis's christening. pic.twitter.com/v6mN6QDgrr
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 15, 2018
When it comes to the godparents, Kate Middleton and Prince William announced a lengthy list of seven close friends prior to Prince George’s christening. Likewise, the royal parents announced five godparents before Princess Charlotte’s christening and six for Prince Louis. Breaking from tradition, Markle and Prince Harry have kept mum on the names of Archie’s godparents.
Despite the differences, there are some similarities between Archie’s christening and his cousins’ ceremonies. Baby Archie’s christening dress echoed the ones worn by his cousins. Like son, like mother—Markle’s cream-colored Dior dress was also reminiscent (at least in hue) of Middleton’s christening day fashion choices.
It looks like the world’s wait is over when it comes the newest Royal’s future godparents, or is it? Buckingham Palace recently revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle plan to keep this info private, much to our chagrin.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex aren’t exactly an in-the-spotlight couple (for as much as royalty can stay out of the media’s eye). Even though they’re very public figures, the couple wants a quiet christening for baby Archie.
The event itself includes a small gathering of 25 family and friends and, according to a statement by Buckingham Palace, “the godparents, in keeping with their wishes, will remain private.”
The ceremony will take place on Jul. 6 in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle. Recent media statements from the Palace confirmed the couple will release at least a few pics of the event in the days following the ceremony, but don’t expect to see the godparents named in any of them.
New mum and dad Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are getting ready for an intimate christening ceremony for the adorable little Archie.
According to reports, the royal couple will hold the baby’s christening in Queen Elizabeth’s private chapel at Windsor Castle. A royal source told PEOPLE, Markle and Prince Harry “wanted an intimate, peaceful setting in a place with such a special connection to Her Majesty.”
And don’t expect a gaggle of guests. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are limiting the christening to 25 of their closest family and friends.
The unnamed royal source also told PEOPLE, “This is a beautiful milestone and they are excited to share it as a family first and then with the world.” Not only does this refer to the small size, but it also means the Royals will give us all a sneak peek into the christening—that is after the fact. Reportedly the new parents will share pics in the days after the Jul. 6 event.
The couple started making interior changes on Frogmore Cottage (a five-bedroom abode on Windsor Castle’s grounds) before Archie’s birth, and now that he’s here, it looks like the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have completed the exterior too. So what kinds of changes did the new parents make to their family’s home?
According to Buckingham Palace, the renovations came in at a $3 million price tag—thanks to British taxpayers via the Queen’s Annual Sovereign Grant (which helps to maintain and conserve royal palaces). A source close to the royal family told PEOPLE, “The heating systems were outdated and inefficient and were not to the environmental standards that we would expect today.” The source also added that the older electrical system, gas lines and water mains also required replacement.
Even though taxpayers footed the majority of the permanent reno bill (after all, it is a historic building), Prince Harry and Markle paid for fixtures, fittings and furnishings themselves. Reports have also surfaced noting that the couple also paid for some of the pricier projects, such as a kitchen upgrade and flooring.
Even though the couple hasn’t released specifics, rumors of a mother-and-baby yoga room with a floating floor are reportedly false.
Of the renovations and restorations, Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse, told reporters, “The property had not been the subject of work for some years and had already been earmarked for renovation in line with our responsibility to maintain the condition of the occupied Royal Palaces Estate.” Stevens went on to add, “The Sovereign Grant covered the work undertaken to turn the building into the official residence and home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their new family. The building was returned to a single residence and outdated infrastructure was replaced to guarantee the long-term future of the property.”
As a parent of a baby or toddler, it can be hard to plan. You get busy, naps go long, and yes, tantrums happen, making the morning (or afternoon) go kaplooey. Which is why drop-in spots and activities are a parent’s best friend. Brooklyn is full of places to drop-in and play with your child, and they include music making, arts and crafts, or just general open play. We’ve rounded up our favorite Brooklyn drop-in spots so you don’t have to plan, but can still get out and have some fun with your kid.
LOTS OF BROOKLYN SPOTS
Hopalong Andrew
Hopalong Andrew
Brooklyn favorite Hopalong Andrew hops all over the borough for playful western singalongs. His weekday “Cowpoke Roundups” for spuds (kids ages five and under) happen in City Point’s Dekalb Music Hall, at Whole Foods in Gowanus and Williamsburg, and in parks in Fort Greene, Cobble Hill, and Clinton Hill. (He’s at Busy Bodies in Clinton Hill on Thursdays, too.) Check his Facebook and Instagram accounts for the latest info and any schedule changes. Rates are $10 to $20 per child.
Alex Branson AKA, Lady B or “Miss Alex”, has been bringing the musical fun for babies and toddlers all over Brooklyn for seven years. A former nanny, she knows the “grownup & me” class scene well, and works to make her classes as fun for the grownups as they are for the kids. Expect fun and funky original songs, bubbles, and lots of positive vibes. She holds babies-only classes at Brooklyn Heights’ Treasure Trunk Theater on Tuesdays and Thursdays, ($25 drop-in). The rest of the week, on Wednesdays find her in Bay Ridge or Bed-Stuy/Clinton Hill; Fridays she’s in Lefferts Gardens and Crown Heights, and Saturdays you’ll find her in Kensington. Drop-in costs range from $10 to $25. Click here for class times and locations.Can’t make it to a class? Check out Lady B’s original videos on Lavender Blues TV!
This Spanish immersion playtime can be found all over the borough, and currently makes stops in Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Prospect Heights, Cobble Hill, and Carroll Gardens. Expect storytime, singalong, games, dancing, and puppets. Designed for kids six months to three years old, Toc Toc is $10 in most locations, with a $5 fee for siblings. Get latest days and time here.
There's a few options at this Bed-Stuy space, which is a hot spot for soccer for kids and adults alike. (Hence, the astroturf.) Drop in on Fridays for a Rolie Polie Guacamole singalong from 9:30-10 a.m. for $15. Or, come in for open play from 10-noon or noon-2p.m. for $15. (A "full-day", three hours, is $20.) You can even do drop-OFF for kids one year and older, although space is tight—six kids per session. Diversions for kids include ride-on toys, a bounce house, balls, a slide, and more. There's also a cafe and free wifi! Note: This is a CARD ONLY establishment—no cash. Register in advance online or show up and some one can help you. Questions? E-mail Coach Kayla at Specialevents@parkslopeunited.com.
2600 Jefferson Ave. 2nd Fl. Bedford-Stuyvesant Online: psuclubhouse.com
Cumbe offers multiple classes for kids ranging from one to four years old. Travel through the African diaspora with dance and games, learn capoeira, or conga drumming, and more. Drop in to these ongoing classes for $17.
1368 Fulton St. Bedford Stuyvesant 718-935-9700 Online: cumbedance.org
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS
Treasure Trunk Studio
Treasure Trunk Theatre
Drop in to the lovely new Treasure Trunk Studio on Friday mornings for storytime ($10/child; $5/siblings), or open play later in the day from 3 -6p.m. ($15/child/$10/siblings). Afternoon fun includes a mini ball pit, coloring station, puzzles, stories, and more.
Gumbo in Boerum Hill offers two music classes open for drop-ins. A singalong with Frank Gallo of popular kindie rock band Rolie Polie Guacamole on Thursdays for kids three months to two years, and an all-Spanish class for kids four and younger, CantaEspañol with Ana Campos Stephens. Stephens’ class has kids singing, playing, using puppets, and developing social skills as they also learn the language. Both classes are $25 for drop-in.
This relatively new space for families hosts several drop-ins throughout the week. There’s a Sunday singalong at 10 a.m., all ages drop-in from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday and Thursday, and a precrawler drop-in from noon to 1:45 on Tuesday and Thursday. It’s $15 at the door, or you can buy a multi-pack to save.
For $15, Spark offers drop-in play Wednesday through Sunday, and kids can build in the Block Lab, get creative with art activities, or explore in the Discovery Den, where they can also get cozy for storytime. Bonus: Thursdays are free from 1 - 6 p.m.
1 John St. Brooklyn Bridge Park Dumbo 718-852-2470 Online: brooklynkids.org
Stop by eclectic boutique, cafe, and gathering space Jill Lindsey for Tunes for Tykes (six months to one year) with Brian Stearns every Tuesday at 11 a.m for $15 and $5 for siblings. Miss Cotten holds a spirited singalong hootenanny on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. for the same price. Fridays brings Kid’s Yoga with Little Feet Yoga from 10:30-11:15 a.m. for $25. When the weather’s nice, head out to the backyard for al fresco fun!
370 Myrtle Ave. Fort Greene 347-987-4538 Online: jilllindsey.com
GOWANUS
Monkey Do! Yoga
Most classes at this Gowanus studio are drop-in and take place several times throughout the week. Drop-in open play is $12, "Sing and Move" class is $15, and the Parent and baby yoga class is $25. There's also a new mom meetup group for $18, where the babes are of course welcome. Bulk passes are available as well.
Monkey Do! Yoga 279 Third Ave. 347-987-3797 Gowanus Online: monkeydoyoga.com
This popular Greenpoint toy store/consignment shop/neighborhood hub hosts three music get-togethers throughout the week. Monday (10:30 a.m.) and Thursday (11:15 a.m.) brings Tunes for Tykes with Brian Stearns and a giant drum. It’s $10 to drop in, and best for kids two and under. Lily Pad Music is on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. ($15), and music industry vet Willie Devargas brings his “super giant creatures” fun on Tuesday (10:30 a.m.) and Friday (1:30 p.m.); $15 gets you in.
Lark is a hotbed of indie music for kids, with musicians dropping in all week long for singalongs, most of which will run you $10. Check the weekly calendar for the latest info, but acts regularly rocking out in the small event space include Amy Miles, Miss Katie, The Buttons, Debbie Deane, Lloyd Miller, and Lavender Blues. You can also catch the 2019 Best Children's Album Grammy-award winner Lucy Kalantari, (pictured) who hosts a bi-lingual Spanish/English singalong here.
1007 Church Ave. Kensington 718-469-0140 Online: larkcafe.com
Got a tot that likes to tumble? Prospect Gymnastics holds drop-in open play for kids four and younger seven days a week! (Slots are about two hours and times vary with sessions in the mornings and afternoon; check registration page for specific time info.) Winter pricing is $15 per drop-in, or $100 for a 10-pack.
Prospect Gymanstics 1023 Church Ave. Kensington 718-484-0911 Online: prospectgymnastics.com
Drop in to the Brooklyn Arts Exchange, where for $10 kids four and younger can explore the open studio filled with hoops, tunnels, balls, books and more. Sessions take place on Mondays and Fridays from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
BAX 421 Fifth Ave. Park Slope 718-832-0018 Online: bax.org
There is a lot happening at Edamama—and we’re not even including the haircuts! Most drop-ins (cash only) will run you $15. Happenings throughout the week include puppet fun with Puppetsburg (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. and Noon); Singalong with Willie DeVargas (Thursday, 10:30 a.m. and Noon), Ari Band SIngalong (Wednesdays, 3:45); Thunder and Sunshine Singalong on Fridays, and Open Play daily at 1 and 3:30 p.m. Plus: Movement and Music for Toddlers (Mondays, 9:30 a.m., 10: 30 a.m., and noon, and Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. and noon).
Edamama 568 Union Ave. Williamsburg 718-388-3663 Online: edamama.com
ELK Cafe Greg Weiss, "Greg the Egg" has a standing date at Windsor Terrace spot Elk Cafe. Find him there for singalongs on Mondays at 1 p.m. Grab a snack and a drink and head out to the lovely backyard when the weather warms up! $10 per family.
154 Prospect Park Southwest 718-853-5500 Windsor Terrace Online: elkcoffee.com
