Harry and Meghan’s royal tour
As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped out for their first day of royal engagements in Sydney, all eyes were on a glowing Meghan as she debuted her petite baby bump following their pregnancy announcement. “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,” a statement from Kensington Palace read on Oct. 15. It added that the couple – who married five months ago at Windsor Castle – were “delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public”.
Prince Harry is reported to be “an emotional wreck” since learning of his wife’s pregnancy. “[He’s] happier than he has ever been,” a royal source has said. “It is something he has wanted for a long time and he couldn’t be happier. He is so protective of [Meghan].”
The royal mum-to-be opted to wear a white dress by Australian designer Karen Gee during the first leg of their tour Down Under paired with a set of butterfly earrings and a gold bangle that were previously worn by the late Princess Diana. The Meghan Effect was in full swing, with the label’s website crashing within minutes of the
duchess stepping out. The humble style icon is known for wearing pieces from smaller designers and the woman behind the dress said it was a huge honour. “[I’m] so proud,” Gee said. “Particularly because I am not a world-recognised brand.”
During the royal couple’s welcome reception at Admiralty House in Sydney on Oct. 16, Governor- General Peter Cosgrove alongside his wife, Lady Lynne Cosgrove, gave them a warm Aussie welcome with iconic souvenirs that doubled as the first official presents for their baby. A plush kangaroo with a joey in its pouch was gifted alongside a pair of baby-sized Ugg boots. Recorded on video giving her thanks, Meghan, 37, said: “That’s so cute, it’s our first baby gift!”
When the little bundle arrives, he or she will instantly become seventh in line to the British throne (pushing Prince Andrew down to number eight) and have Prince George, 5, Princess Charlotte, 3, and Prince Louis, 5 months, as first cousins. Depending on the gender, the baby will also be known as Lady Windsor or the Earl of Dumbarton – only a son will inherit the dukedom of Sussex later in life. The baby will also not be a prince or princess unless the Queen steps in and gives great-grandchild number nine an HRH.
Predictions are already underway as to what the first-time parents could name the baby and bets are already being made online. A British bookmaker had Victoria as the number-one option within
minutes of the announcement, followed by Alice and Elizabeth as the second choices. For a boy’s name, Albert, Arthur and Alexander were all top contenders.
Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the royal family said they were “delighted” for the couple after Meghan – who has had her 12-week scan – broke the happy news with her husband during the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank on Oct. 12. A royal source who spoke to WHO said the mother-to-be is “feeling well”.
In a subtle attempt to hide her growing bump on the day, Meghan wore a loosefitting, navy Givenchy coat to the nuptials, never opening the buttons. Keen babywatchers were already pre-empting an announcement, with bookmakers reporting a spike in name bets.
It was just the latest in a series of public events where the duchess had subtly shielded her tummy by carefully placing an arm over her belt or slightly angling her body away from photographers. Walking out of the terminal building in Sydney, a beaming Meghan repeated this trick for the last time by clutching a pair of purple folders to her chest, using the binders as a final screen before the announcement sent the world into a frenzy.
In a statement, Meghan’s mum, Doria Ragland, said she was “very happy about this lovely news” and “looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild”.
However, The Sun reports that the couple may have broken an unwritten royal rule by choosing Eugenie’s big day as the time to announce their news. According to the publication, sharing big news at a wedding isn’t favoured as it can distract attention from the bride. It is believed the couple shared the news with the Queen, Prince
Philip, Prince Charles, William and Kate in person during the proceedings.
British Prime Minister Theresa May took time to congratulate the couple, saying: “My warmest congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the happy news they are expecting a baby in the spring. Wishing them all the best.”
Royal expert Emily Nash has narrowed down the due date, saying: “By my calculations, the baby is due in late April.” This means the future royal could potentially share a birthday with Prince Louis (April 23) or even Princess Charlotte (May 2). The pregnancy announcement doesn’t come as a complete surprise, after Meghan said becoming a mother was on her “bucket list” in an interview in 2016, while Harry said in their BBC engagement interview in November 2017: “You know, I think one step at a time, and hopefully we’ll start a family in the near future.”
On a trip to Belfast in March, Meghan also flashed a knowing smile when she was shown a range of newborn baby products, quipping beside a baby bath: “I’m sure at some point we’ll need the whole [ lot].”
The remainder of the royal tour will now revolve around Meghan’s growing bump. Thankfully, it appears the duchess has avoided the acute morning sickness suffered by sister-in-law Kate during the early months of her pregnancies, and none of the couple’s 70-or-so engagements are going to be cancelled. The trip will see the couple and their 10-person entourage – plus Meghan’s best pal Jessica Mulroney and husband Ben – embark on a whirlwind tour of everything that Victoria, NSW and Queensland have to offer, including a trip to Fraser Island, a tram ride in Melbourne and a climb to the top of
Sydney Harbour Bridge with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
While at the top of the bridge, Harry will mount the Invictus Games flag and officially launch the 2018 event – something he holds incredibly dear to his heart, following his 10-year career in the British Army and two tours of duty in Afghanistan.
Despite concerns over the possible side effects of the Zika virus in the Pacific Islands, Harry and Meghan will then depart for Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand before coming back to Australia on Oct. 26 for a final two days in Sydney. Meghan’s itinerary will differ slightly to Harry’s in that she will substitute a trip through the Colo-i- Suva Forest Park in Fiji for a morning tea at the British High Commissioner’s Residence, and will also refrain from climbing the Harbour Bridge. Meghan has made sure to fully embrace her Australian experience, getting up close with a koala at Taronga Zoo and graciously accepting a bunch of native flowers presented by local children Findlay Blue, 4, and Dasha Gallagher, 6.
We can expect to see much more of this as Kensington Palace said in a previous statement: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are looking forward to meeting as many Australians as possible.”
“That’s so cute, it’s our first baby gift!” — Duchess Meghan