Queen 'delighted' as Harry and Megan announce they are expecting second child

15 February 2021, 07:46 | Updated: 15 February 2021, 07:53

Harry and Meghan pictured with The Queen
Harry and Meghan pictured with The Queen. Picture: PA

By Patrick Grafton-Green

The Queen and the rest of the royal family are said to be "delighted" after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they were expecting a second child.

After Harry and Meghan revealed the news on Sunday, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "Her Majesty, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and entire family are delighted and wish them well."

It is understood the couple told the royal family in advance of making the news public.

READ MORE: Duke and Duchess of Sussex expecting second child

READ MORE: Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank welcome baby boy

The news comes after Meghan suffered a miscarriage last summer, and just days after she won a privacy case against Associated Newspapers Limited.

A spokesperson for the couple said: "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."

Meghan's due date has not been revealed.

The news was announced by the duke and duchess alongside a black and white photo of themselves, sat under a tree in Los Angeles, with Harry resting his hand on Meghan's head as she lies in his lap cradling her bump.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released this photograph alongside the news
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released this photograph alongside the news. Picture: Misan Harriman/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex/PA

The image was shot by their long-time friend and photographer Misan Harriman, who took the picture remotely from London using an iPad.

He 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!"

Speaking to British Vogue following the baby announcement, he added: "To be asked to help share this absolute joy after such an unimaginable loss and heartache is a marker of true friendship.

"Meg reminded me that had I not introduced her to a mutual friend then she wouldn't have met Harry.

"I'm grateful for whatever small part I played."

Meghan with the couple's first child, Archie
Meghan with the couple's first child, Archie. Picture: PA

On how he captured the image, he said: "With the tree of life behind them and the garden representing fertility, life and moving forward, they didn't need any direction, because they are, and always have been, waltzing through life together as absolute soulmates."

Meghan revealed her miscarriage in November last year in a deeply personal article for the New York Times, writing: "I knew, as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second."

The couple quit their roles as senior working royals in March 2020 in a quest for personal and financial freedom, and now live in an £11 million house in Montecito in California.

The Valentine's Day announcement came just five days after the royal family celebrated the arrival of Princess Eugenie's first child - a baby boy.

Baby Sussex will be the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's 10th or 11th great-grandchild depending on whether he or she arrives before or after Zara Tindall's baby, which is also due in 2021.

Harry and Meghan quit as senior royals in 2020
Harry and Meghan quit as senior royals in 2020. Picture: PA

The new baby will be eighth-in-line to the throne - and the most senior royal in the current line of succession to be born overseas.

They will not be entitled to be an HRH nor a prince or a princess due to rules set out more than 100 years ago by George V.

The baby is entitled to be a Lord or a Lady, but Harry and Meghan will again opt to style their second-born a plain Master, like Archie, or a Miss, with the surname Mountbatten-Windsor.

On Thursday, Meghan was granted a summary judgment in relation to her privacy legal action over the Mail on Sunday and the MailOnline's publication of a letter she wrote to her estranged father Thomas Markle.

The judge ruled the publication of the letter was "manifestly excessive and hence unlawful".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour

Mystery deepens over British couple found dead in France as wife 'made appointments' before deaths

Freezing rain will hit the UK.

Rare freezing rain that poses risks for planes and downs trees will hit UK in days, warns Met Office

Kanye West had his account suspended after posting "I AM A NAZI."

Kanye West has X account reactivated after deleting anti-Semitic rant

The voice of Huw Edwards has been removed from an episode of Dr Who

Disgraced BBC presenter Huw Edwards erased from episode of Dr Who

Elizabeth Line train drivers will go on strike

Elizabeth Line train drivers to stage series of strikes amid pay dispute

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 attacks, block Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv during a protest calling for the release of all hostages

Hamas announces it will release Israeli hostages as planned amid fears ceasefire will collapse

The largest of the Chagos islands, Diego Garcia, the site of a joint military facility of the United Kingdom and the United States

US makes last-ditch intervention in Chagos islands negotiations amid concerns China will benefit from deal

Police at the scene after the car crashed into protesters

Afghan asylum seeker arrested after car ploughs into crowd leaving dozens of people injured including children

Exclusive
'It's not a witch hunt, we want accountability,' Barnaby Webber's mother has said.

'It's not a witch hunt,' says mother of Nottingham attack victim as she calls for 'accountability'

A woman was charged £50 to bring a water bottle on a Ryanair flight

Woman 'charged £50 to take a water bottle on Ryanair' flight

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (L) shakes hands with British Defence Secretary John Healey, on the eve of a NATO defence ministers' meeting at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels

'Ukraine must be at the heart of talks with Russia', says UK Defence Secretary after Trump announces plan to meet Putin

Supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) demonstrate in Trafalgar Square

Woman who tried to gain asylum eight times allowed to stay in UK - after she joined terror group

Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton argues with Curtis Jones of Liverpool during the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool.

Merseyside Mayhem: Four red cards handed out as Everton score late equaliser in last-ever derby at Goodison Park

Crowd Of Commuters Walking To Work Across London Bridge.

UK economy unexpectedly grew by 0.1% in last quarter of 2024, new figures show

Tranyelle Harshman, 32, of Wyoming, left her fourth daughter fighting for her life after going on a rampage at their home on Monday.

Mum-of-four shoots dead three young daughters before turning gun on herself

Speeding car approaching warning to slow down, on UK road

Shock figures reveal 'incredibly dangerous' speeding across UK - as one driver caught doing 122mph on 30mph road