In case you’ve been living under a rock for the last day, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan are expecting their first child.
Kensington Palace confirmed the news via a statement saying, “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.”
“Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public. “
Naturally, the royal family are “delighted for the couple.” The Palace confirmed that the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince William and Duchess Catherine were notified of Duchess Meghan’s pregnancy at Princess Eugenie’s wedding and the Duchess of Sussex’s mother, Doria Ragland is excited to become a grandmother.
“Ms. Ragland is very happy about this lovely news, and she looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild,” Kensington Palace said in a statement.
The royal family were informed of the happy news at Princess Eugenie’s wedding.
The Duke and Duchess have received thousands of messages of congratulations from dignitaries around the world.
British Prime Minister Theresa May, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison were among the well wishers, the latter of whom will climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge with the couple on Friday October 19.
READ MORE: The subtle clue that suggested Duchess Meghan was pregnant all along.
The royal baby, due between March and May 2019, will be eighth in line to throne after their father. He or she will also be Harry and Meghan’s first child, Prince Charles’ fourth grandchild and the Queen and Prince Philip’s eighth great-grandchild.
While Harry and Meghan were bestowed with the respective titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex, that Dukedom can only be passed on to their child if it is a son. Therefore, if they were to have a daughter, the title would die out.
The Daily Mail reports that the child will be referred to as Earl of Dumbarton if he is a boy or Lady (first name) Mountbatten-Windsor if she is a girl, unless the Queen bestows prince or princess on them.
However, as Meghan is a proud feminist and the Queen has been known to bend the rules with titles (especially as Harry is reportedly her favourite grandchild), this formality may be waved.
WATCH: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s knowing look when priest mentions children.
