Everything we know about Meghan and Harry’s baby

Meghan's on maternity leave, and her mum's just touched down in the UK to help out with the birth. It's official: the Royal Baby Countdown is on.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are on the cusp of becoming parents for the first time.

The exact due date of the royal baby has remained shrouded in mystery since the pregnancy was first revealed — just hours after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived in Sydney for their Royal Tour last September — with the Palace simply announcing it would be in the British springtime.

But with Meghan having taken off on maternity leave a month ago, and hinting last December that she was due in "late April" - it's safe to say Baby Sussex will be joining us any day now.

The soon-to-be parents at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/AFP

In fact, Meghan's mum Doria Ragland arrived in London on Monday, presumably ahead of the arrival of her first grandchild.

Some royal watchers even believe the baby has already been born, with reports circulating late last week suggesting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had kept the birth a secret in order to protect their privacy during the precious first days as a new family.

However, it seems more likely that Meghan is simply resting up in her new home of Frogmore Cottage at Windsor, her mum by her side, ready to offer advice once the big moment finally arrives.

Here’s everything we know about Harry and Meghan’s baby so far:

BIRTH PLACE

It's been rumoured that Meghan is hoping to try for a home birth, but that may not fly with the Royal Family.

When it comes to choosing a hospital, it's been widely reported that Meghan doesn't want to follow in Kate Middleton's footsteps by going with the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital - instead, she'll look for somewhere closer to their new Windsor home.

William and Kate outside the Lindo Wing with their new baby, Prince Louis, last year. Picture: Isabel Infantes/AFP

The most convenient options would be Princess Margaret Hospital, King Edward VII Hospital or Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey - which happens to be where the Countess of Wessex had her two children.

WHERE THEY'LL LIVE

Millions of dollars have been spent on refurbishing Harry and Meghan's new home, but it seems they may not actually stay there for very long.

New reports suggest palace aides are drawing up plans to hand the couple a major international job in Africa after the birth of their child, with Harry’s advisers allegedly working on a “bespoke” role for the couple that will combine charity work with a role promoting Britain.

The Sunday Times claims the plan has been drawn up by Sir David Manning, the former British ambassador to the US, and would take the couple away from Britain for two or three years.

ROYAL COUSINS

Once Baby Sussex arrives, he or she will have plenty of playmates (if they stay in the UK), with Prince William and Kate Middleton’s children, Prince George, 5, Princess Charlotte, 3, and Prince Louis, 1, as his or her new cousins.

Royal cousins. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

TITLE

The newest little royal won’t automatically be born into a title, despite Harry’s “Prince” status.

According to King George V’s 1917 decree, only the oldest son of the Prince of Wales’ oldest son (so Prince George) was entitled to be called His Royal Highness and a Prince.

In late 2012, the Queen amended the rule, declaring that all of Prince William and Kate’s children would be titled HRH and either prince or princess.

At that time, the ruling didn’t apply to any of Prince Harry’s children — so unless a change is made, his son will be styled as Lord Mountbatten-Windsor and his daughter will be Lady Mountbatten-Windsor.

And it’s unlikely the Queen will bend the rule again for Harry and Meghan, according to experts.

Harry himself has indicated he wants his children to have as normal lives as possible — and skipping the HRH would certainly help.

The baby’s grandfather and future King of England, Prince Charles, is also looking to downsize and streamline the monarchy, so will be reluctant to expand the HRH titles any further, according to royal protocol expert, William Hanson.

GODPARENTS

Baby Sussex will probably have a large number of godparents, as per royal tradition, but they won’t be revealed until closer to the christening. William and Harry’s kids have a staggering 18 godparents between them — so we can expect Harry and Meghan will probably follow suit.

It’s very unlikely Uncle William or Aunty Kate will be named as godparents — they’ve got three kids of their own, plus Harry and Meghan were left off the godparent list when Prince Louis was born last year.

Instead, it’s very possible that Jessica Mulroney — and even her husband, Ben — could be chosen, as the couple is very close to Harry and Meghan.

Jessica and Ben Mulroney. Picture: George Pimentel/Getty Images

Their three children — twins Brian and John and daughter Isabel (who goes by the name Ivy) were all in Meghan’s bridal party — and Jessica threw Meghan’s lavish baby shower in New York in February.

George and Amal Clooney have spent plenty of time with the Sussexes and were initially considered to be godparent material — but the actor ruled himself out of the running in early 2019.

Tennis champ Serena Williams’ close ties with the Duchess of Sussex puts her in with a good chance, along with movie star Priyanka Chopra and Meghan’s old college friend, Lindsay Jill Roth.

On Prince Harry’s side, we’re likely to see the surname “van Cutsem” somewhere in the list. Prince Charles is close friends with banker Hugh van Cutsem, and William and Harry grew up with his sons — William, Nicholas, Hugh Jr, and Edward.

HELPERS

Royal expert Katie Nicholl reported earlier this year via Vanity Fair that the couple have decided against hiring a nanny. Instead, Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland will help manage their baby load and may even take up residence in her own room in the couple’s new Windsor residence, Frogmore Cottage.

Doria was seen flying into London on Monday to help prepare her daughter for her first labour - meaning the baby could be due any day now.

Frogmore Cottage, the soon-to-be home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

CHRISTENING

Royals traditionally wait until their babies are three months old before having them christened — so we’re in for a bit of a wait once the new Sussex finally arrives.

Harry and Meghan are expected to follow William and Kate’s lead in holding an intimate ceremony (Louis’ last year was attended by only 30 people) including a small number of family members and senior royals.

The royals at Prince Louis’ christening last year. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/WPA/Getty Images

Where it will be held is still in question: Prince George and Prince Louis were both baptised in the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace, while Princess Charlotte was baptised at Sandringham in Norfolk. Harry and Meghan may go with one of those popular options — or branch out to another royal location entirely.