Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expecting their second child, their spokesman told British media in a Valentine’s Day announcement on Sunday. The child will be eighth in the line to the British throne.
The couple released a black and white image of them under a tree, all smiles, with Markle, 39, showing signs of pregnancy. The photo was reportedly taken remotely via iPad by their friend and longtime photographer, Misan Harriman.
“We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother,” the spokesman said, referring to the couple’s son. “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child.”
The couple’s announcement on Valentine’s Day was a nod to Princess Diana, who 37 years ago on the same day, had announced that she was pregnant with Prince Harry.
Meghan and Harry, 36, who is Queen Elizabeth II’s grandson, quit frontline royal duties in March last year and now live in California.
The news follows Markle’s disclosure in The New York Times in November that she had suffered a miscarriage in July.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “Her Majesty, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and the entire family are delighted and wish them well.”
The couple’s departure last year — dubbed ‘Megxit‘ by the British press — was a far cry from 2018 when they married in a ceremony at Windsor Castle watched around the world.
The mood soured as reports circulated about a rift between Harry and his brother Prince William, second in line to the throne.
Since leaving, they have launched several legal cases against news outlets alleging invasion of privacy — including one that ended on Thursday with a victory against Associated Newspapers in the UK.
The cases have attracted criticism from some, as the couple are also launching themselves into the public eye with high-profile commercial projects.
Last year they launched a non-profit organisation, Archewell, after giving up a “Sussex Royal” brand as part of the terms of their departure from frontline royal duties.
They have started other ventures, including signing a deal with Spotify to produce podcasts that tell “uplifting and entertaining stories”. The couple also signed a contract, reportedly worth tens of millions of dollars with streaming giant Netflix to produce “impactful” films and series.
Read more – Archie speaks publicly for the first time on Meghan, Harry’s first podcast
Harry and Meghan’s announcement came days after Princess Eugenie, a granddaughter of the queen, gave birth to a baby boy.
