Prince Harry, Meghan Markle expecting second child

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting their second child — who will be eighth in line to the British throne.

A spokesperson for Prince Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, said in a statement: “We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child.”

According to People magazine, the late Princess Diana officially announced she was expecting her second child — Harry — on Valentine's Day 1984.

The UK royals have gone through multiple ups and downs over the last 13 months, including a media-scrutinised move to America, multiple lawsuits — which they have won, and the pain of a miscarriage.

The black-and-white photo that the couple shared with their announcement, however, couldn't be further from the upheavals; the couple sit near a tree with Harry’s hand placed under Meghan’s head as she lies on his lap with her hand resting on her bump. It's a poignant moment as the couple look at each other with big smiles with Meghan wearing a flowing, floor-length dress.

A source has confirmed to Harper's Bazaar that Meghan is wearing a custom Carolina Herrera dress, made for the duchess while she was pregnant with her first child, Archie.

Misan Harriman, a friend of the couple and the photographer who took the photo that accompanied their announcement, tweeted: “Meg, I was there at your wedding to witness this love story begin, and my friend, I am honoured to capture it grow. Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on this joyous news!”

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Her Majesty, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and the entire family are delighted and wish them well.”

The duke told chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall in 2019 that he would only have two children for the sake of the planet.

Goodall said: “Not too many,” and Harry replied: “Two, maximum.”

Harry and American actor Meghan Markle married at Windsor Castle in May 2018. Their son Archie was born a year later.

In early 2020, Meghan and Harry announced they were quitting royal duties and moving to North America, citing what they said were the unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media. They recently bought a house in Santa Barbara, California.

In November, Meghan revealed that she had a miscarriage in July 2020, giving a personal account of the traumatic experience in hope of helping others.

A few days ago, the duchess won a privacy claim against a newspaper over the publication of a personal letter to her estranged father.