COUNTDOWN TO BABY
A canceled baby shower, Prince Harry’s crazy work demands and family drama! How Meghan Markle is handling the stress as she gears up to welcome baby No. 2
Avery pregnant Meghan Markle wasn’t able to attend the May 8 Global Citizen’s Vax Live concert, but she did share a poignant video message with fans for the event, which she cochaired with husband Prince Harry. Wearing a vibrant red Carolina Herrera poppy print dress, the expectant mom was positively glowing as she spoke about the future and her excitement over her second child. “My husband and I are thrilled to soon be welcoming a daughter,” she said. “It’s a feeling of joy we share with millions of other families around the world.”
he’ll miss her due date. “Physically, Meghan’s had a pretty easy pregnancy,” says one source, “but it’s been an emotional rollercoaster. She’s had a lot to deal with.”
PARTY’S OVER
Meghan knows all too well what it’s like to have her every move dissected. While pregnant with Archie, who turned 2 on May 6, she was criticized over her lavish 2019 baby shower. A palace insider says the former actress called off this one for her baby girl “because she’s very aware of how hosting a large-scale bash would be received during the middle of a pandemic and she doesn’t want to play into the false narrative that she’s insensitive or hypocritical.” Instead, Meghan’s opting for a low-key virtual soiree with about a dozen or so loved ones. “They’ll still play games and such,” notes the insider, “but it won’t be anything fancy this time around.” Adds a source close to the couple: “Meghan doesn’t feel a big celebration with gifts is appropriate right now. She knows she’s already under scrutiny.”
WORK HAZARDS
While Meghan is happy to stay close to home during the final stretch of her pregnancy, the palace insider says Harry has work commitments to consider. In late March, it was announced he’d be joining the $1.73 billion startup company BetterUp as their chief impact officer and his new mental health docuseries, The
Me You Can’t See, is set to air May 21 (see box for more). A last-minute trip could mean him risking not being home when Meghan goes into labor. “The baby comes first of course, so all of Harry’s business appointments and appearances come with the caveat that he’ll need to drop everything if Meghan needs him by her side,” the insider reveals.
FAMILY ISSUES
In the meantime, Harry is trying to
figure out the logistics surrounding the upcoming memorial honoring his late mother, Princess Diana, at Kensington Palace. While the palace insider says he’s been very involved in the plans — as Us previously reported, Harry and his estranged brother, Prince William, have been working together on behind-the-scenes details for the July 1 event — he may not be able to attend in person. Says the insider, “With quarantine regulations, it will just be too much with Meghan, Archie and a newborn at home.”
But the first source says Harry wants to be there in person to mark what would be Diana’s 60th birthday. “It’s a difficult position for Harry,” shares the source. “He feels he owes it to his mother to attend, but at the same time doesn’t want to run the risk of leaving his wife during this crucial time.”
Making matters more complicated is the lingering strain between Harry and the other royal family members. While Harry and
William, 38, appeared to make progress at Philip’s April 17 funeral (the brothers were seen chatting comfortably as they departed St. George’s Chapel), new reports claim they’re butting heads about their mother’s memorial — and even insisting on giving separate speeches. According to the palace insider, there is still a lot of animosity between them. “Tensions are high,” confirms the source close to Harry and Meghan.
Especially between Harry and his father, Prince Charles. On May 6, the 72-year-old future king wished Archie a happy 2nd birthday on Instagram with a photo of himself, Harry and Archie — leaving Meghan noticeably absent from the post. Even worse, reports began to swirl that Charles has only met his grandson two times, apparently because of schedule conflicts. “Charles is still very upset about Harry and Meghan’s TV interview,” explains the source close to the couple.
“He blames them for the current stain on the monarchy.” However, the source notes that Harry and Meghan are faring far better with Queen Elizabeth II, 95. “They can’t wait to introduce her to her new great-granddaughter when it’s safe.”
STRONGER THAN EVER
As their baby’s due date nears, Meghan and Harry are doing their best to tune out the drama. The source close to the couple says the new nursery (complete with organic, fair-trade products, of course!) is almost finished, and that Archie is chomping at the bit to become a big brother. “He knows there’s a baby in Meghan’s belly,” shares the source, “and is so excited to meet her.”
So are Harry and Meghan. “They’ve been through a lot over the last year, but Harry’s been Meghan’s rock,” adds the palace insider. “He’s been by her side through everything, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a couple more committed and connected to one another.”