Prince Harry and Meghan Markle take romantic stroll on Admiralty House grounds as baby news confirmed
BARELY 12 hours after arriving in Sydney yesterday Prince Harry and wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, strolled the manicured lawns of Admiralty House when Kensington Palace officially announced they were expecting their first child.
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THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex have revealed they made the long flight to Australia yesterday carrying a little excess baggage — the soon-to-be newest member of the royal family.
Barely 12 hours into an already hotly anticipated royal tour, Kensington Palace announced that Meghan Markle is pregnant — news that is expected to send interest in their visit soaring to fever pitch.
“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.
“The 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
The Duchess, 37, has been the subject of persistent pregnancy rumours for the past two weeks, particularly after she wore a coat which disguised her famously slim figure to Princess Eugenie’s wedding last Friday.
It now appears the announcement was delayed until after the wedding so as not to distract from Eugenie’s big day.
If Meghan is at least three months pregnant, with official announcements usually made after the first trimester, then the baby would be expected to arrive in March or early April.
The child will be seventh in line to the throne, as his father Prince Harry, 34, is sixth in line.
The news broke as the couple rested at Admiralty House after arriving yesterday after a 22-hour flight from England.
They now face a gruelling nine-day schedule in Australia, and are also going to Fiji and Tonga, but officials say the Duchess’s pregnancy will not affect her workload.
A spokesman from Kensington Palace said: ‘There have been no changes to the tour program. None are anticipated.”
It is Meghan’s first time in Australia, but Harry, arguably the most popular of the young royals, has been many times — and always receives a rock star welcome.
This time, with his new bride at his side, the crowds were expected to be even bigger for what is their first major international tour — and that was before the baby news.
Looking glowing, even after the long flight, Meghan wore a black jumper and trousers and a large coat with burgundy lapels, as she clutched two purple folders.
Harry, who appeared to have a lump on his forehead, wore a grey zip-up sweater and put his own hand luggage into the boot of a car as he gave a quick thumbs up to onlookers.
It has been reported that among the 10-person strong entourage will be Meghan’s best friend and stylist, Jessica Mulroney, whose children were among the page boys and bridesmaids at the couple’s wedding. She has also brought her personal hairdresser for the tour.
Meghan and Harry flew in the same exclusive first-class cabin used by his brother Prince William, Kate Middleton and baby George when they last headed Down Under.
Security had been ramped up for hours before their arrival, with dozens of police forming a cordon around the arrivals area.
For their 20-minute journey from Mascot to Kirribilli, roads were closed, with police outriders holding back rush-hour traffic, and a small crowd gathered in the rain to welcome them.
News of the royal pregnancy was greeted with elation by fans of the couple.
Roman Silantev rushed home from work and took his wife Alena to Admiralty House in the hope of getting a glimpse of the royals.
It didn’t come as a surprise to Alena, who keenly watched Ms Markle at last week’s wedding. “I already knew. I could tell by Meghan’s choice of coat at the wedding,” she said.
Her husband was ecstatic to be at Admiralty House when the news broke. “I am really just glad to be here, I have just heard it is confirmed information,” he said.
“We are already so fond of Princess Charlotte and Princess George. It is a new generation of royals, they’re open minded.”
The couple are here for the Invictus Games, created by Prince Harry to celebrate sick and injured servicemen and women. They will be formally welcomed by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove today.