It has just been announced that Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry are expecting to have a baby in spring. For those interested in the numbers, Meghan, age 37, and Prince Harry, age 34, were only married five months ago. The announcement comes at the start of a 16-day tour of New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Tonga. Regardless of the child’s gender, it will be seventh in the line of succession to the monarchy.
The queen and other high-ranking members of the nobility were informed of the pregnancy last Friday as the royal Family gathered within Windsor for the wedding of Princess Eugenie. Meghan attended the wedding paired with Prince Harry, clad in a length royal blue coat that is suspected to have been intentional camouflage to hide her growing belly. If a blue coat did not grab the paparazzi’s attention, then a shot of her carrying two large folders across her stomach upon arriving in Sydney for the half-month tour with her husband. This tour of Australasia marks the pair’s first royal tour since their wedding. The first engagement is planned for Tuesday, with a large number of wellwishers being anticipated to greet the couple.
Meghan and Prince Harry seem to be taking a cue from Prince Harry’s parents as Prince Charles and Diana chose the same region for their first royal tour. Dora Ragland, Duchess Meghan’s mother was quoted as being overjoyed about the news and indicated she was eagerly awaiting her first grandchild. Prime Minister May also gave her warmest regards to the royals upon hearing news of the pair’s imminent child.
The pair have hardly been coy about the idea of having children. While the duchess had remarked in a 2016 interview that becoming a mother was something she wanted to achieve before she died, Prince Harry kept a cooler, if open, attitude about the topic. Prince Harry believed that children would be in his near future by not rushing and simply taking things one pace at a time. When assessing family relations, the child will become first cousin to Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte. The child will not be considered a prince or princess unless the Queen intervenes prior to the duchess’ due date.
Prince Harry met Meghan on a blind date and wed 16 months later. While the duchess became famous as an actor, she abandoned that path upon marrying.