Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle is pregnant with her first child, according to the royal family.
“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,” announced Kensington Palace on Monday. “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.”
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. pic.twitter.com/Ut9C0RagLk
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 15, 2018
According to a “royal source,” Meghan and Prince Harry told family members at Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's wedding in Windsor last Friday.
“The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted for the couple and were able to congratulate them on Friday at the wedding in person,” said a Kensington Palace spokesperson, adding that Meghan's mother Doria Ragland “is very happy about this lovely news and she looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild.”
The baby will be seventh in line to the British throne after Harry’s father, Prince Charles; his brother, Prince William; William’s three children, and Harry himself. According to the royal rules, Meghan and Harry's baby will not be given the title of prince or princess, but could become Earl of Dumbarton in addition to his title of the Duke of Sussex whereas a girl would become Lady Mountbatten-Windsor.
UK prime minister Theresa May offered her congratulations to Harry and Meghan, as did the rest of Twitter:
My warmest congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the happy news they are expecting a baby in the Spring. Wishing them all the best. https://t.co/nnneVi8rBO
— Theresa May (@theresa_may) October 15, 2018
The Crown, stagione 12. https://t.co/G3RqABZ0zY
— Netflix Italia (@NetflixIT) October 15, 2018
meghan and harry are going to have the cutest baby ever pic.twitter.com/DS0tEp4Sk3
— meredith (@meghanmrkIe) October 15, 2018
My greatest congratulations to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, on the announcement of their pregnancy.
Both most radiant and joyous of people, I know they will make wonderful parents! #RoyalBaby
Here are a few of my favourite photographs I’ve captured: pic.twitter.com/fEPCmtypxD
— Benjamin Wareing (@BenjaminWareing) October 15, 2018
Meghan is reportedly 12 weeks along is “feeling well” after her 12-week scan, according to a source who spoke with People. Already fans and gambling addicts alike are starting to place bets on what the baby's name will be. Current frontrunners include Alice, Victoria and Diana.
Bookmakers Ladbrokes make Samantha a 100-1 outside bet for the royal baby name. Most bookies make traditional royal names eg Alice, Arthur, Philip, Victoria – and, of course, Diana – their early favourites.
— Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) October 15, 2018
Now let's just hope Meghan Markle's godawful family keeps to themselves during this exciting time.
