Prince Harry and Meghan expecting first child in spring
LONDON » Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, duchess of Sussex, are expecting their first child to be born in the spring of 2019.
Kensington Palace made the announcement Monday, hours after Harry and Meghan arrived in Sydney for a 16-day tour of Australia and the South Pacific.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who will climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge this week with Harry, tweeted: “What fantastic news! Australia is thrilled for you both. Looking forward to sharing in the joy during your stay down under.”
Harry and Meghan’s first child will be seventh in the line of succession for the throne when it is born next spring. The baby will be behind its grandfather, Prince Charles; its uncle, Prince William; its cousins, William’s three children: George, Charlotte and five-month-old Prince Louis; and the baby’s father, Prince Harry.
British Prime Minister Theresa May has welcomed the news of Meghan’s pregnancy, which provided a bit of relief from concerns about the stalled Brexit negotiations.
She sent her “warmest congratulations” to Prince Harry and the former Meghan Markle on Monday.
May tweeted: “Wishing them all the best.”
The baby will not automatically become a prince or princess, although it is possible that could happen if Queen Elizabeth II chooses to intervene.
Titles were limited by King George V in 1917 in a way that would exclude Harry’s children unless the queen takes action. The baby will also not be entitled to the HRH designation, meaning “His royal highness” or “Her royal highness.”
The children and grandchildren of the queen are made princes and princesses — that’s why Harry has that title — but this doesn’t apply to greatgrandchildren.
Visitors to Buckingham Palace to see the popular Changing of the Guard ceremony reacted with joy to the news Monday.
A 29-year-old Canadian tourist, Braden Fraser of Toronto, said, “It’s wonderful . ... I’m glad to see the monarchy is carrying on.”