LONDON – Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, areexpecting a baby in the spring of 2019, they announced on Monday as theybegan a Pacific tour.
“The Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased toannounce that the Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the spring of2019,” their Kensington Palace residence said in a statement.
“Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they havereceived from people around the world since their wedding in May and aredelighted to be able to share this happy news with the public,” it said.
Harry and Meghan, a former US actress, wed in a fairytale setting atWindsor Castle on May 19.
The two royals touched down in Sydney on Monday, kicking off a bumperPacific tour that is their first major outing abroad as a couple.
Their official visit, lasting more than a fortnight, will take in multiplestops in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand — all members of theCommonwealth of predominantly former British colonies.
Meghan, 37, made her name in acting as savvy para-legal Rachel Zane in theUS television legal drama “Suits”.
In her first solo charity project since the wedding, she launched acookbook in September in support of families affected by the Grenfell Towerfire disaster in London.
The duchess wrote the foreword to the recipe collection entitled “Together:Our Community Cookbook”, produced by women who suffered from the fatalblaze.
The June 2017 fire in a 24-storey residential block killed 71 people andleft many more living in temporary accommodation.
Meghan’s every smile, step and wave has been scrutinised by royaltywatchers curious to see how the mixed-race American actress will perform inher new role.
She is adored by the public and shadowed at every appearance by the press.
British media last month commented on her closing her own car door at herfirst solo engagement — the opening of an exhibition at the Royal Academyof Arts in London.
The gesture was interpreted as a sign that Meghan remained a down-to-earthwoman without pretences, despite being married to the grandson of QueenElizabeth II. – APP/AFP