MEGHAN AND HARRY: ‘We’re overjoyed... Archie is going to be a big brother’
Harry and Meghan are expecting a second child
HARRY and Meghan had a special Valentine announcement yesterday: “Archie is going to be a big brother.” The couple shared a black and white picture of themselves, with Prince Harry resting his hand on his wife’s head as she cradles her bump.
A spokesman for the couple said: “We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child.”
The baby will follow the couple’s son Archie Harrison, who will turn two on May 6.
Last night Palace sources confirmed members of the royal family were informed by Harry and Meghan that they were expecting prior to the announcement. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “Her Majesty, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and entire family are ‘delighted’ and wish them well.” The couple have made no secret of their desire for a second child but Harry said in a Vogue interview in July 2019: “Two, maximum.” Their limit is for environmental reasons.
In November, Meghan, 39, disclosed she had suffered a miscarriage last July. The Duchess spoke candidly about enduring “unbearable grief” in an article for the New York Times, writing: “I knew, as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second.”
In recent weeks, Meghan has made several choreographed appearances online, but her bump has always been hidden.
The couple live with Archie in a multimillion pound mansion in Santa Barbara, California, after they officially stepped down from their roles as senior royals in March last year.
The photo released yesterday was taken by longtime friend and photographer, Misan Harriman. He tweeted: “Meg, I was there at your wedding to witness this love story begin and, my friend, I am honoured to capture it grow. Congratulations on this joyous news.”
Baby Sussex will be the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s 10th or 11th great-grandchild, depending on whether he or she arrives before or after Zara Tindall’s baby.
Harry retains his place in the line of succession despite quitting royal life and dropping his HRH title, and the new baby will be eighth in line to the throne.
They are entitled to be a Lord or a Lady, but Harry and Meghan will again opt to style their second-born a plain Master, like Archie, or a Miss, with the surname Mountbatten-Windsor.
Last night bookies Ladbrokes revealed frontrunners for names are Alfie and Alexandra, at 4/1 apiece. Elsewhere, 6/1 says they call their second-born Freddie or Arabella, with Doria a less likely shot at 12/1 and Diana at 10/1.