The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has offered an intimate glimpse into her past pregnancies, sharing a never-before-seen photo showcasing her bare baby bump. The image, part of a personal collection celebrating her seventh wedding anniversary with Prince Harry, has royal watchers heralding it as a groundbreaking moment for a member of the royal family.

The candid throwback snapshot was subtly included in a “mood board” style collage posted on May 19. The board, a tapestry of over 40 personal photographs and handwritten notes, documents the couple’s relationship featuring cherished moments from their travels, family life with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and their wedding day.

Nestled among these memories is the striking image of Meghan, believed to be from her pregnancy with either Prince Archie, now six, or Princess Lilibet, who will turn four in June. In the side-profile shot, the Duchess is seen cradling her bare stomach, dressed in dark trousers, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. The setting appears to be a private, relaxed moment, likely within their home.

While royals, including the late Princess Diana and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have been photographed during their pregnancies, these images have typically featured them fully clothed, often during public engagements or in formal portraits. The sharing of such an undisguised and personal image of a pregnancy by a prominent royal figure is being widely reported as a significant departure from tradition. HELLO! highlighted the photo as potentially the first time a British royal has shared a bare baby bump photo in this manner.

The inclusion of the photo seems to be a deliberate and personal choice by Meghan, reclaiming a narrative that was often, during her pregnancies, subjected to intense public scrutiny and online trolling. By sharing this image herself, within the context of her family’s cherished memories, it’s seen by many as an empowering statement.

The anniversary mood board, captioned “Seven years of marriage. A lifetime of stories,” also included other intimate family moments, such as an ultrasound scan labelled “Archie” and a sweet photo of Archie kissing his younger sister Lilibet on the forehead.

The reaction online has been largely positive, with fans and commentators praising Meghan’s openness and the intimate nature of the collection. Many have lauded her for breaking new ground and for sharing such a personal aspect of her motherhood journey. The image resonates with a broader cultural trend of celebrities and public figures embracing and sharing their pregnancy experiences more openly.

This move comes as Meghan continues to build her lifestyle brand and media presence since stepping back from senior royal duties with Prince Harry in 2020. The couple now resides in Montecito, California, with their two children.