Meghan and Harry are hoping to expand their fam – with a mini-meg this time
The couple are keen for Archie to have a big brother
Becoming parents to baby Archie has undoubtedly been the highlight of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s lives, as they dote on every move their 15-month-old son makes. And despite experiencing a lot of personal and professional upheaval since his arrival, friends say they want to expand their family imminently and would love a little girl this time around.
“It’s thought Meghan wants to have her second child sooner rather than later,” heat’s insider confirms. “She’ll be keen for Archie to have a sibling who’s as close to his own age as possible. In an ideal world, having a girl would be her dream come true, but if she has a boy, she’ll still be delighted, of course. The main thing for her and Harry is that their children are healthy, and thankfully, they’ve been very blessed with Archie in that department. Meghan takes such great care of herself and is meticulous about her diet and exercise, so they have every confidence the second pregnancy will go smoothly and result in another healthy baby.”
When Meghan – who turns 39 on 4 August – was pregnant with Archie, Harry admitted they were hoping for a girl, but was thrilled when she gave birth to their son in May 2019. And we’re told he has really relished being a dad and would now love a daughter. “Harry seems really keen for a girl this time around,” says our insider. “Friends say he loves the idea of raising a ‘mini-meg’, and it would be so fitting if they could complete their family with a little sister for Archie.”
The source continues, “There’s no pressure or false expectations, though. They’re happy to be guided by fate and if they’re lucky enough to have another baby, it will be such a huge blessing – whether they have a boy or a girl. But it seems a girl is the preference for both of them.”
Having another baby will be a real boost for the couple, who have faced intense scrutiny ever since they quit the royal family at the start of the year. They have been criticised for leaving the UK in favour of a more Hollywood lifestyle in LA, where they are currently residing at their friend Tyler Perry’s $18million mansion while they look for their own home. They had reportedly planned to take America by storm, but due to the pandemic, they have been forced to spend most of their time at home – appearing only briefly for charity Zoom calls – and we’re told they’re frustrated at not being able to make the most of the potential business opportunities.
The source adds that Meghan, in particular, seems to be struggling as the actress had big plans to revive her career, as well as doing her humanitarian work. On top of that there is the couple’s ongoing lawsuit against a tabloid newspaper, Meghan’s estrangement from her dad, and her recent falling out with her best friend Jessica Mulroney.
“Meghan never imagined living a life under so much scrutiny with every move analysed, as if she’s a controversial politician,” we’re told. “Being unable to socialise has made her even more tense, and the people around her – including Harry – have been working hard to bring back the happy and positive Meghan they all know and love. The situation with Jessica has hit her really hard, because she was
the main person who Meghan confided in when she was going through a low period. She feels a lot of people are against her.”
But, the insider adds, being with Harry, 35, and Archie during the past few months and spending quality time as a family has made Meghan realise what her priorities are and, while the move to America has got off to a slow start, she’s glad they’re in LA.
When she gave birth to Archie, she had him at the exclusive Portland Hospital in London after her plans for a home birth were dashed, and we’re told it’s likely she would have her next baby at LA’S Cedars-sinai, the choice of all Hollywood A-listers. “She can’t wait to have a baby in America, after enduring a stressful first pregnancy, when she was trying to fit in with royal guidelines while really wanting to do things her way,” says the source.
“Lockdown has been a perfect time for Meghan and Harry to take stock of their priorities, and while they have a lot of projects on the go, they’ve decided family is the most important thing to focus on right now. Friends think it’s just a matter of when they share the news that a second child is on the way. Nobody would be surprised if she’s expecting already, but that’s something they’re keeping private for now – and their friends and family are respecting that, rather than pressuring them for exact timings.”
The source continues, “She’s looking forward to having the baby in LA and not having to follow royal protocol, and she’ll hopefully get less scrutiny, too. She thinks it will be much more enjoyable this time.” n
‘She can’t wait to have a baby in America’