‘Royal surprise’ as Harry and Meghan bring news of a baby

News that Meghan Markle was pregnant guaranteed that a tour ­already generating interest was going to be a blockbuster.

Harry and Meghan in the gardens of Admiralty House. Picture: Matrix

If the spotlight has taught Meg­han Markle anything, it is how to make an entrance.

And hours after touching down in Sydney yesterday with Prince Harry for her first visit to Australia, news that she was pregnant guaranteed that a tour ­already generating interest was going to be a blockbuster.

Meghan’s arrival, holding purple briefing folders conspicuously in front of her stomach, caused ripples of speculation about a “royal surprise’’ as she emerged from Sydney airport’s inter­national terminal gripping Harry’s hand.

Last night it was confirmed in an official statement from Kensington Palace.

“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 (European) spring of 2019,” the palace said. “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.”

Scott Morrison soon responded: “What fantastic news! Australia is thrilled for you both. Looking forward to sharing in the joy during your stay down under.”

Harry and Meghan rested at Sydney’s Admiralty House yesterday after the long flight, before today beginning a schedule of 76 engagements in the next 16 days in the Pacific region as they promote the Invictus Games.

Among the first to be able to congratulate the couple in person will be Daphne Dunne, a war widow whose first husband, Lieutenant Albert Chowne, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

Daphne Dunne, 98, hopes to meet Harry again today. Picture: James Croucher

She has met Harry on his two most recent visits to Australia, and plans to be alongside the Sydney Opera House to meet him today.

When the 98-year-old was born, George V was king and the sovereign nation of Australia was just 19 years old.

“I think that’s wonderful news,” she said upon hearing the baby news. “Congratulations to them, it’s a wonderful time.”

For Harry’s most recent visit, in June last year, Ms Dunne was front and centre outside the Opera House. “Oh, it’s you,” he said as he recognised and hugged her.

Before that, Ms Dunne caught the royal’s eye while wearing her late husband’s medals in the same spot in 2015.

After asking about her and her husband’s military service — he recognised the rare VC on her jacket — he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m keeping the Governor-General waiting but I’ll give you a peck on the cheek,” she recalled him saying.

“Don’t worry, the Governor-General can wait!” she replied.

“I felt like his grandma,” she said yesterday. “It just seemed to be something about him. I don’t know what it would be, we just seemed to click. Not romantically, or anything. He was very nice.”

Ms Dunne’s late first husband was a Rat of Tobruk. He had been awarded a Military Medal for twice crawling close to enemy ­positions to direct mortar fire, and in mid-March 1944 married Daphne Barton. 

 

According to the Australian War Memorial, Lieutenant Chowne was described by those who knew him as destined to ­either win the Victoria Cross or be killed in action. Sadly, both happened. In Dagua, New Guinea, on March 25, 1945, he saw the leading platoon in his company in trouble. Running out from cover, he charged the enemy and took out two Japanese machine guns before being killed.

Ms Dunne’s second husband, Corporal John Dunne, was captured in Malaya in 1942 and suffered the horrors of Changi as a prisoner of war.  Ms Dunne said the Invictus Games — a tournament for injured defence personnel — would have been especially helpful to John, who would “get sick” from time to time. “(The Invictus Games) definitely would’ve helped him, he loved sport.”

Harry and Meghan’s tour will see them mark the opening and closing ceremonies of the Invictus Games, which take place in Sydney between October 20 and 27. Today, they will visit the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, as well as meet koalas at Taronga Zoo and walk through crowds at the Opera House.

The royal couple will next week travel to Tonga and Fiji despite the presence of the Zika virus in those countries and its risk for pregnant women. A Kensington Palace spokesman said the duchess had taken medical advice, and would continue with the itinerary despite the prevalence of the primarily mosquito-transmitted virus.