List of the Most Expensive Royal Births: Did Markle Spend More Than Middleton?

Many families don't count money when it comes to the health of mother and child, and the British royal family is not an exception. Pregnancy and childbirth experts at CFAH studied the most expensive royal childbirth packages in the UK and US hospitals — and their findings will surprise you.

Meghan Markle

Prince Harry's wife gave birth to their firstborn son, Archie, at the exclusive Portland Hospital in central London 2019. Earlier, Sarah Ferguson (Duchess of York) welcomed her two daughters at this hospital, and one of them, Princess Eugenie, also gave birth to her son August here. The cost of childbirth services at the institution starts from £10,000 (over $12,000), and VIP patients are guaranteed five-star meals, state-of-the-art facilities, and utmost care and attention from their attending physician.

Markle had her second child, daughter Lilibet, in 2021 — after she and Prince Harry had given up their royal titles and moved to the US. The baby girl was born at a private clinic in Santa Barbara, California. The clinic's cost for childbirth ranges from £10,000 to £20,000 ($12–24 thousand), depending on the number of services included. Each birthing room is equipped with a reclining chair, rocking chair, and sofa, and birthing beds have plenty of pillows to ensure the women's comfort. There's also a computer, video monitor, and Wi-Fi. The future mother and her guests can use the kitchen or order food delivery to their room.

Kate Middleton

The Prince and Princess of Wales are raising three children: 9-year-old George, 7-year-old Charlotte, and 4-year-old Louis. They were all born at St. Mary's Hospital in London.

Kate followed in the footsteps of her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who also gave birth to her children, William and Harry, at the hospital. The cost of maternity package at the institution ranges between £5,900 to £7,500 (over $7–9 thousand). This includes full obstetrical care, regular doctor visits, blood tests, pediatrician fees, nursery care, meals, partner accommodation, and afternoon tea to celebrate the baby's arrival.

Princess Beatrice

The elder daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson gave birth to her baby girl, Sienna, in the private wing of London's Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. The childbirth package at the hospital costs between £6,475 to £10,650 ($7,800–13,000), which includes champagne and smoked salmon worth £75 ($90) as a postpartum snack. Birthing rooms are equipped with modern flat-screen TVs and luxury showers.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex

Prince Edward's wife enjoyed the cheapest delivery — or, more precisely, it was completely cost-free.

The Countess of Wessex welcomed both of her children at the budget-funded NHS Frimley Park Hospital in Camberley. Her first daughter Louise was born prematurely, so Sophie was rushed to the hospital to have a C-section. When she was pregnant with her second child, James, Sophie decided to stick with the tried and tested free hospital. Later, the Countess visited the institution again to open a new maternity ward there.