Queen to OPEN Frogmore's grounds weeks after Meghan Markle's due to give birth

Meghan, 37, and Harry, 34, recently moved to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor ahead of the birth of their first child. The royal baby is expected any day now and the couple are keeping the birth details secret. But the grounds of the monarch’s royal residence Frogmore House – where the Sussexes had their wedding reception – will be opened to the public for three days from May 28 to 30.

The couple said they have made the “personal decision” not to share details about their newborn, who will be seventh in line to the throne, until they have had time to “celebrate privately”.

Kensington Palace said in a statement: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very grateful for the goodwill they have received from people throughout the United Kingdom and around the world as they prepare to welcome their baby.

“Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private.

“The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family.”

Speculation is mounting that Meghan could opt for a home birth with Harry at her side.

Bookies Ladbrokes slashed the odds from 5/1 to just 7/4 following the couple’s statement.

Ladbrokes spokesman Alex Apati said: “Harry and Meghan want all things royal baby to be kept private, and you can’t get much more private than a home birth – so we’ve taken the scissors to the odds of exactly that happening as a result.”

Earlier this week, a friend of Meghan’s claimed a home birth was her “favoured choice”.

The US-born former actress has reportedly ruled out the Lindo Wing, where the Duchess of Cambridge had her three children, due to privacy concerns.

Frimley Park in Surrey, which is not far from their new home, is thought to be a possible option if Harry’s wife does opt for a hospital delivery.

Meanwhile, Princess Diana’s former butler Paul Burrell suggested Meghan would chose an American-owned hospital like The Portland.