Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email
The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle is pregnant with her first child, Kensington Palace has announced.
Kensington Palace said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are “very pleased” Meghan is expecting a baby in the spring of 2019.
“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,” the palace said in a statement.
“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.”
Doria Ragland, the duchess’s mother, said she was “very happy about this lovely news” and “looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild”.
The news emerged after the duchess and Prince Harry arrived at Sydney airport for a rest day before they officially start a 16-day tour of Australia and the South Pacific.
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in picturesShow all 90 1 /90Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures The Duke and Duchess of Sussex kiss on the steps of St George’s Chapel after their wedding
WPA Pool/Getty
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Top gear: William and Kate had an Aston Martin with balloons and a JUST WED number plate. Harry and Meghan score extra points: this 1968 E-type Jag, which took them to the evening party at Frogmore House, has been converted to electric power. And the number plate, E190518? It’s their anniversary
AP
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Meghan Markle and Prince Harry leave St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle after their wedding
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle after their wedding in Windsor
Reuters
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand at the altar
Getty
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Kingdom Choir outside St George’s Chapel in Windsor, Berkshire, after performing at the wedding
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures The pageboy whose smile went viral
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Guests toast as they attend a viewing party for the royal wedding at the Plaza Hotel in New York
Getty
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Meghan Markle reaches the altar in St George’s Chapel
Getty
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures John Major and his wife Norma Major attend the royal wedding ceremony
EPA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Meghan Markle arrives for the wedding ceremony to marry Prince Harry
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Fans attend a Royal Wedding watching party at Lillie’s Victorian Establishment in New York
AFP/Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex emerge from the West Door of St George’s Chapel
AFP/Getty
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Well-wishers lining the streets wave and cheer as Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex pass riding in the Ascot Landau Carriage during their carriage procession
AFP/Getty
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures James Blunt and Sofia Wellesley attend the royal wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
EPA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kiss on the steps of St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle after their wedding
WPA Pool/Getty
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Charlotte Riley and Tom Hardy arrive for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Getty
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex begin their carriage procession in the Ascot Landau Carriage after their wedding ceremony
AFP/Getty
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures James Corden and Julia Carey attend the royal wedding ceremony
EPA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Harry and Meghan emerge from the West Door of St George’s Chapel
AFP/Getty
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Left to right, Lady Louise Windsor, Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Princess Anne, Princess Royal arrive for the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle
AP
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Prince Harry looks at his bride, Meghan Markle, as she arrives accompanied by the Prince of Wales in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for their wedding in Windsor, Britain
REUTERS
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian arrive at St George’s Chapel
Reuters
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Prince Harry places the wedding ring on the finger of Meghan Markle during their wedding service, conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby
WPA Pool/Getty
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures The royal wedding cake has been revealed
AP
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Members of the public view a live screening of the marriage ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Winchester Cathedral
Getty
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures
Rex
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures The Duke of Cambridge (left), the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of York during the wedding service for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle during their wedding service
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures US actor Abigail Spencer (left) and Indian actor Priyanka Chopra (second from left) arrive with other guests for the royal wedding
EPA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Meghan Markle and her mother Doria Ragland drive along the Long Walk for her wedding to Prince Harry in Windsor
Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Sir Elton John leaves St George’s Chapel
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Meghan Markle and her mother Doria Ragland drive along the Long Walk for her wedding to Prince Harry in Windsor
Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Oprah Winfrey arrives at St George’s Chapel
REUTERS
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Prince Harry's niece and bridesmaid Princess Charlotte arrives for the wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and US actress Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor
AFP/Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for their wedding
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Bishop Michael Curry delivered a passionate sermon during the royal wedding ceremony
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures In this frame from video, Meghan Markle walks down the aisle with Prince Charles for her wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England
AP
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall attend the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England
Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Meghan Markle is driven by the Long Walk to St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle for her royal wedding ceremony to Britain's Prince Harry, in Windsor, Britain
EPA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Meghan Markle is driven down the Long Walk to St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle for her royal wedding ceremony to Britain's Prince Harry, in Windsor, Britain
EPA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Meghan Markle arrives for the wedding ceremony to marry Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, at St George's Chapel, Windsor
AFP/Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle before the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle
Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Meghan Markle arrives at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for her wedding to Prince Harry
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Bridesmaids and pageboys arrive for the royal wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, in Windsor, Britain
EPA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Meghan Markle (R) with her mother Doria Ragland arrive at Windsor Castle ahead of her wedding to Prince Harry on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales marries Ms. Meghan Markle in a service at St George's Chapel inside the grounds of Windsor Castle. Among the guests were 2200 members of the public, the royal family and Ms. Markle's Mother Doria Ragland
Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Princess Charlotte (right) arrives for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall arrive at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Meghan Markle, right, and her mother Doria Ragland leave Cliveden House Hotel in Taplow, near London, England
AP
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Meghan Markle arrives at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for her wedding
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Doria Ragland arrives at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Prince Harry (right) sits with his best man the Duke of Cambridge in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle ahead of his wedding to Meghan markle wedding
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Guests are pictured as they take their seats inside the Chapel ahead of the wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and US actress Meghan Markle in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor
AFP/Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Britain's Prince Harry (R) and his brother and best man, Prince William (C), Duke of Cambridge arrive at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle for his royal wedding ceremony to Meghan Markle, in Windsor, Britain
EPA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Prince Harry (left) and the Duke of Cambridge arrive at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Meghan Markle leaves Cliveden House Hotel in Taplow, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018 before her wedding ceremony with Prince Harry at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castl
AP
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Britain's Prince Harry (L), Duke of Sussex, arrives with his best man Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R), at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on May 19, 2018 for his wedding ceremony to marry US actress Meghan Markle
AFP/Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures
AFP/Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures
AFP/Getty
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures
REUTERS
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures British Ministry of Defence shows around members of the Band of the Irish Guards entertaining the public ahead of the royal wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Windsor, Britain,
EPA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Princess Eugenie, The Duke of York and Princess Beatrice, from left, arrive for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
AP
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Key News’s Kay Burley enjoys the moment
Rex/Shutterstock
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Sarah Ferguson leaves after the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
AP
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures A general view of guests arriving in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Windsor, Britain
REUTERS
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Amal and George Clooney arrive for the wedding ceremony
AFP/Getty
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Guests arrive at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures US tennis player Serena Williams (L) and her husband American Internet entrepreneur and investor Alexis Ohanian (R) arrive for the royal wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, in Windsor, Britain
EPA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Irish Guards marching band parades through Windsor for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Members of the public gather ahead at Windsor Castle for the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England
Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Alison Tinsley on the Long Walk ahead of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Police patrol the streets ahead of the royal wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, in Windsor, Britain
EPA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Royal fans wearing wedding dresses hold a sign reading ‘When Harry met Meghan he hadn’t met us first’ ahead of the royal wedding ceremony
EPA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Well-wishers gather to watch the Royal Wedding of Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and US actress Meghan Markle at the Pear Tree in Edinburgh
AFP/Getty
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Members of the public gather near Windsor Castle prior to the wedding of HRH Prince Harry Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England
Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Guardsman play for the crowd ahead of the royal wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, in Windsor
EPA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Royal fans wear wedding dresses near the castle before the wedding of Prince Harry Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales marries Ms. Meghan Markle in a service at St George's Chapel inside the grounds of Windsor Castle. Among the guests were 2200 members of the public, the royal family and Ms. Markle's Mother Doria Ragland
Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures War Veteran Phyllis Walker smiles during the wedding of Prince Harry Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle at Cambridge Gate
Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures David and Victoria Beckham arrive at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle
Reuters
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Band of the Irish Guards perform outside the castle prior to the wedding of Prince Harry Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle
Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures A member of staff holds goodie bags ahead of of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures A Royal fan waits for the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, England, Saturday, May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
AP
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Royal fans within the grounds of Windsor Castle ahead of the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Royal fans gather behind the barriers on the Long Walk, in Windsor, ahead of the wedding and carriage procession of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
PA
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Royal fans soak up the atmopshere during the wedding of Prince Harry Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle on The Long Walk
Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures A man sweeps the path outside St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle ahead of the wedding and carriage procession of Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Windsor
AFP/Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Two men wearing wedding dresses buy train tickets to Windsor to watch the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Waterloo train station
Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Crowds gather during the wedding of Prince Harry Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle on The Long Walk
Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Well-wishers draped in a Union flag with an image of Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle walk along the Long Walk leading to Windsor Castle ahead of the wedding and carriage procession of Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Windsor
AFP/Getty Images
Royal Wedding - Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle in pictures Royal fans line the Long Walk in Windsor ahead of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
PA
The trip is their only international tour since they were married in May, apart from a two-day visit to Ireland.
Holding hands and casually dressed, the prince and the former American actress walked out an airport rear entrance and into a car. Meghan was smiling and clutching folders, while Harry gave a thumbs up to bystanders.
The announcement comes after days of speculation about whether Meghan was pregnant after the pair celebrated five months of marriage.
The news surfaced after Markle’s tour schedule indicated she would not be doing a climb over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Meghan is understood to be past the 12-week mark.
The duchess once described motherhood as being on her “bucket list” and her husband has frequently discussed his wish to have children.
Theresa May congratulated the couple on their “happy news” and wished them “all the best”.
“My warmest congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the happy news they are expecting a baby in the spring. Wishing them all the best.” she said.
Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Sydney to embark on an official visit to Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.
The couple follow in the footsteps of Prince Harry’s parents – Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales – who went to Australia and NZ on their first overseas tour together.
The trip coincides with the fourth Invictus Games, which starts in Sydney on Saturday, and includes dozens of official events.
Prince Harry will launch the fourth Invictus Games in Sydney on Friday – attending both the opening and closing ceremonies.
Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivorsShow all 11 1 /11Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors
PA Wire/PA Images
Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors
PA Wire/PA Images
Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors
PA Wire/PA Images
Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors
PA Wire/PA Images
Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors
PA Wire/PA Images
Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors
PA Wire/PA Images
Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors
Getty Images
Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors
Getty Images
Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors
Getty Images
Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors
Getty Images
Meghan Markle launches cookbook in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors
Getty Images
He founded the Paralympic-style international competition for injured servicemen, servicewomen and veterans in 2014 – with the first games event held at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London in March that year.
Last month, the duchess launched a charity cookbook to raise money for victims of the Grenfell Tower fire which claimed the lives of 72 in June of last year.
Together: Our Community Cookbook features recipes from women who are part of the Hubb Community Kitchen – a communal space which was created to provide for the hundreds of residents who were left homeless in the wake of the devastating inferno.
Her low-profile visits to the kitchen where women affected by the deadly blaze have been cooking food for their community have helped to ensure the scheme’s financial survival.
The women were initially only able to keep the doors to the kitchen open to the community for two days a week due to a dearth of funding.
But the duchess’s continued involvement in recent months has allowed them to keep the kitchen open seven days a week. The 50 recipes are inspired by dishes from across Europe, the Middle East, north Africa and the eastern Mediterranean.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies