UK

Meghan and Harry expecting baby in spring

Meghan and Harry are expecting a baby in spring 2019. Picture by Chris Jackson, PA Wire 
Meghan and Harry are expecting a baby in spring 2019. Picture by Chris Jackson, PA Wire  Meghan and Harry are expecting a baby in spring 2019. Picture by Chris Jackson, PA Wire 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting a baby in spring 2019.

The newly-wed couple arrived in Sydney today ahead of a 16-day tour which will take in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

In a statement, Kensington Palace said: "Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the spring of 2019.

"Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public."

Harry and Meghan were wed at Windsor Castle in May and the news was announced on the eve of their first tour outside Britain and Ireland.

Diana, Victoria and Alexander were among the early favourites for names.

Queen Elizabeth, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were said to be "delighted" for the couple.

Harry and Meghan were married at Windsor Castle in May
Harry and Meghan were married at Windsor Castle in May Harry and Meghan were married at Windsor Castle in May

Doria Ragland, the mother of the duchess, is "very happy about this lovely news" and "looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild".

The baby will be seventh in line to the British throne, and the queen's eighth great-grandchild.

He or she will also be a first cousin of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Read more:#RoyalBaby: The funniest social media reactions as pregnancy announced

But the baby will not be a prince or a princess unless the queen steps in to issue a Letters Patent ahead of the birth.

Speculation grew that Meghan was expecting when she wore a loose fitting Givenchy coat to Princess Eugenie's wedding on Friday.

Both Harry and Meghan have spoken openly about wanting to start a family.

The topic cropped up in their engagement interview, with Harry, saying: "Hopefully we'll start a family in the near future."

The pair are also known for their warm, caring approach when meeting youngsters on official visits.

Even the duchess's father Thomas Markle, whom she is believed not to have spoken to since her wedding, said he expected children soon.

He told ITV's Good Morning Britain in an interview a month after the duke and duchess married: "She's wanted children for a long time and when she met Harry and she spoke about how much she loves him, there's got to be a child in the making, somewhere soon."

The duchess found fame played Rachel Zane in the US legal drama Suits.

Harry (34), and 37-year-old Meghan became engaged following a whirlwind 16-month romance after going on a blind date in London.

The prince has told how "all the stars were aligned" when they met.

"This beautiful woman just sort of literally tripped and fell into my life, I fell into her life," he said when their engagement was announced last November.

They wed in a glittering ceremony in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, just five months ago.

Prime minister Theresa May was among those to offer congratulations to the couple today.