Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expecting their second child, a spokesperson for the couple has said.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are preparing to welcome a brother or sister for their son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, who turned one last May.
A spokesperson for the couple said they were “overjoyed”.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said Queen Elizabeth, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family “are delighted and wish them well”.
Harry and Meghan shared a black and white picture of themselves under a tree, with the prince resting his hand on Meghan’s head as she cradles her bump.
Their second baby will be eighth in line to the throne.
Meghan Markle’s due date has not been revealed, but her bump appeared prominent in the photograph.
The news comes after Meghan said in November that she had suffered a miscarriage last July, writing in an article of feeling “an almost unbearable grief”.
A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said: “We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child.”
The Valentine’s Day announcement comes just five days after the royal family celebrated the arrival of Princess Eugenie’s first child – a baby boy.
Harry and Meghan’s second child will be the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s 10th or 11th great-grandchild depending on whether he or she arrives before or after Zara Tindall’s baby, which is also due in 2021.
They will follow the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Harry, and Archie Mountbatten-Windsor in the line of succession.
However, they will not be entitled, at this stage, to be an HRH nor a prince or a princess due to rules set out more than 100 years ago by George V.
The baby is entitled to be a Lord or a Lady.
Harry and Meghan married in May 2018 in a ceremony at Windsor Castle and then a year later welcomed their first child, Archie, who was born on May 6, 2019.
They quit their roles as senior working royals in March 2020, and now live in California.
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor,
the son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has been christened by the
Archbishop of Canterbury in a private ceremony.
The royal baby was baptized in front
of close family and friends in the private chapel at Windsor Castle on July 6.
Prince William and Kate Middleton
attended but were not thought to have their children with them.
Queen Elizabeth II did not attend
due to a prior engagement.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of
Cornwall were reported to have arrived at the ceremony by helicopter and Meghan
Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, also attended.
A full list of the 25 guests has not
been made public, but Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale – the
sisters of Prince Harry’s mother, the late Diana, Princess of Wales – were
pictured in an official photograph taken at the christening.
A Royal Communications spokesperson
said: “The Duke and Duchess of
Sussex are overjoyed to share the happiness of this day, and would like to
thank everyone around the world for their ongoing support.
“They feel so fortunate to have enjoyed this special
moment with family and Archie’s godparents.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex opted
to exclude the press and the public from the day and chose not to reveal the
names of Archie’s godparents.
Instead of having press
photographers, fashion photographer Chris Allerton – who took their wedding
photos – captured the special moment, with two pictures released to the public
and posted on the couple’s Instagram account.
Chris Allerton said he was
“honored” to take the official photographs and “be part of such
a joyous occasion”.
However, Prince Harry and Meghan did follow some royal traditions.
Archie wore a handmade replica of the royal christening robe which was made
for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter.
The robe, which has been worn by royal infants on the occasion of their
christening for the last 11 years, was made by Angela Kelly, dressmaker to the
Queen.
The ornate Lily Font, commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert for the baptism of their first child Victoria, Princess Royal, in 1841, was also used – as was water from the River Jordan.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have
named their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
Introducing the royal baby to the cameras
earlier in the day, the Duchess of Sussex said: “He has the sweetest temperament, he’s really calm. He’s been the
dream.”
As they laughed, the Duke of Sussex
said: “I don’t know who he gets that
from.”
The announcement came after the Queen
and Prince Philip met their eighth and newest great-grandchild for the first
time at Windsor Castle.
By deciding to call their son Archie
Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have chosen not to
use a title for their first born.
As the first born son of a duke,
Archie could have become Earl of Dumbarton – one of Prince Harry’s subsidiary
titles – or have been Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, but instead he will
simply be Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.
On which parent the baby resembled
more, Prince Harry said: “Everyone
says that babies change so much over two weeks.
“We’re basically monitoring how the changing process
happens over this next month really. But his looks are changing every single
day, so who knows.”
Pictures of the new family’s first photocall were then shared on the
SussexRoyal Instagram account.
The post said: “The Duke and
Duchess of Sussex are delighted to share their first public moment as a family.”
The images shared on social media were taken by Chris Allerton, who was the
couple’s private wedding party photographer, and took the picture of the
newlyweds watching fireworks in the grounds of Frogmore House at their evening
reception.
The royal baby, who is seventh in line to the throne, was delivered at 05:26
BST on May 6, with Prince Harry saying after the birth that he and Meghan were
“absolutely thrilled”.
Prince William has welcomed his brother to “the sleep deprivation
society that is parenting”.
The Duke of Cambridge – a father-of-three – said he looked forward to seeing
the new parents “when things have quietened down”.
Prince Charles has also expressed his joy at the birth.
During an official visit to Germany with the Duchess of Cornwall, the Prince Wales said: “We couldn’t be more delighted at the news and we’re looking forward to meeting the baby when we return.”
The Duchess of Sussex and the baby were doing “incredibly well”,
the prince said.
Prince Harry also said they were still thinking about names for the infant,
who was delivered at 05:26 BST on May.
The baby weighs 7lbs 3oz and Prince Harry was present for the birth, the
Buckingham Palace has confirmed on Twitter.
Meghan Markle is a former American actress and lifestyle blogger, who rose to fame after starring in legal drama Suits.
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