Meghan Markle's pregnancy: How the couple waited for Eugenie to have her big moment before the announcement
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have perhaps brought the greatest joy to the entire fleet at Buckingham Palace with their baby's announcement, which comes just a few days after Princess Eugenie's spectacular wedding to Jack Brooksbank. Kensington Palace announced the news on Monday morning, hours after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex landed in Australia for their first royal tour as a married couple.
"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," the Palace said in an Instagram statement. "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."
The Palace's confirmation comes within days of the pregnancy rumors that surrounded the royal couple, especially after the Duchess of Sussex was spotted wearing a navy Givenchy coat fastened loosely as she accompanied Harry, to his cousin Princess Eugenie's wedding on Friday.
Princess Eugenie, who has retained her title as Princess of York, tied the knot with her long-time partner Jack Brooksbank last week in a splendid ceremony that took place in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, in front of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and the rest of their family. The wedding was also attended by a host of popular celebrities like Kate Moss, Demi Moore, Naomi Campbell, and Robbie Williams with his family, among others.
Reports suggest that the royal couple got to know about the baby a week before Eugenie's big day. However, being the ever-doting cousin that he is, Prince Harry duly waited for Eugenie's wedding to take place, and to not steal his cousin sister's thunder, both he and his wife decided to wait till after the wedding to announce their own happy news to the world.
Eugenie stunned in a long-sleeve wedding gown and an emerald tiara, which she borrowed from Queen Elizabeth II for her big day, while Jack, for his part, looked dapper in a suit and arrived at the church wearing his glasses, which he eventually took off before the ceremony began. The queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan, and Duchess Kate were also in attendance, along with the bride's parents, Prince Andrew, and Sarah Ferguson.
For the ceremony, William and Kate's children, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, served as bridesmaid and pageboy respectively. They were joined by several other youngsters to act as the royal bride's flower girls including sisters Savannah, Isla Philips, Mia Tindall, Maud Windsor, and most surprising six-year-old Theodora Williams, the daughter of Robbie Williams and Ayda Fields.
Senior members of the royal family who were in attendance at Princess Eugenie’s royal wedding on Friday were able to congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in person on their happy news. Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, issued a statement via Kensington Palace, saying: "Ms. Ragland is very happy about this lovely news and she looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild."
Harry’s brother, Prince William, and his wife Kate Middleton are "delighted" for the couple — as are Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Charle, and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall," the Palace stated. A senior Palace source told the Daily Star: "Everyone is hugely excited about the news. The whole of the family are very happy they were all able to congratulate the couple in person before they left for their first major overseas tour."
Meghan's mother Doria must have known about the pregnancy in the very beginning itself since recently, it was reported that the mother of the Duchess of Sussex has reportedly been taking baby-care classes near her home in California. It was reported that the Ohio-born former social worker is being trained by two coaches at a time at the Cradle Company in Pasadena, Los Angeles.
"Two of the teachers, Brandi and Hannah, are training Doria at her home half an hour away to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Meghan wants to avoid hiring staff if possible once her first child arrives. The thought of having her mum move in with them and take on the role of the baby nurse is the best possible solution to that. Even more so, because it's something Doria has always wanted to do anyway."
"She already specializes in prenatal yoga. She's learned everything from breastfeeding and lactation consultancy, basic baby care, CPR and first aid. The course also covers sleep training for later on, weaning and helping the new mother with her recovery' a source told the paper."
Meghan and Harry, who started their romance in 2016, and announced their engagement to the world just last year in November, have always been extremely fond of kids. When asked about their baby plans during their BBC interview after their engagement, "Of course," Harry said. "You know, one step at a time. Hopefully, we’ll start a family in the near future."
On the other hand, Meghan, during the couple's visit to Ireland hinted at their baby plans when speaking to the owners of an innovative baby product company. "I am sure at one point we will need the whole thing," the former 'Suits' star said while looking at some products. "It’s very sweet."
Meanwhile, a royal source also told People magazine that the Duchess of Sussex has had her 12-week scan and is "feeling well". The newest royal will be joining Prince William and Kate Middleton’s children, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte, as well as baby Prince Louis, who will be the perfect playmate for his new cousin.
Prince Harry has also had plenty of experience being around children as uncle to William’s three children. Both Meghan and Harry, who tied the knot in May this year, always find a special way to connect with young kids during official outings and both support charities that work to better the lives of children all over the world.
And though we know that Harry and Meghan will just be wonderful parents to all their kids, we are still unsure of what the couple will call their baby.
According to Hollywood Life, a source close to the soon-to-be mommy said, "Harry’s so far removed from the throne that there’s not the same kind of pressure to have a super traditional name, so apparently he suggested they go bold and modern. But Meghan’s quite fascinated by medieval English history, the Knights of the Round Table and that sort of thing, so she’s been looking at names from way back."
Currently, the couple is in Australia for their first royal tour as a married couple. They touched down in Sydney, Australia, early Monday local time, and just like their very first appearance together last year at the Invictus Games in Toronto, they arrived hand-in-hand. Throughout their travels, the two of them will visit farms, schools, a surfing community group, the world-famous Sydney Opera House and more.
According to a press release from Kensington Palace, Prince Harry and Meghan's trip overseas "will focus on youth leadership, and projects being undertaken by young people to address the social, economic, and environmental challenges of the region" with the Invictus Games as a "major focus".
Speculations are also on whether Doria will continue to operate from the US, or if she will be a visitor at the Palace sooner or later. A close friend of hers from LA previously said: "She is getting ready to move to London. I think she will be going as soon as possible. I know that she was eager to live closer to her daughter. She also fell in love with England and told me when she got back that it’s somewhere she believes she too could happily live."
Another neighbor added: "Doria and Meghan have always been inseparable. Doria is beside herself with excitement at the thought of moving to London."
So while we try and wrap our brains around this exciting news, all we can say is congratulations, and cheers to the growing family!
