On the anniversary of their engagement announcement, Prince Harry left his pregnant wife Meghan Markle at home to fly to Zambia.
The Duke of Sussex arrived in the African country on Monday and is undertaking a two-day visit, meeting young entrepreneurs and military veterans.
It comes shortly after his return to the UK from his overseas tour of Australia with Meghan.
So why is Harry in Zambia?
Prince Harry has touched down in Zambia for a two-day trip to the African country.
He is visiting the Commonwealth country at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
He arrived on Monday and was met by nine-year-old Jane Chawanangwa, who handed him a bouquet of colourful flowers as he stepped off the plane.
The duke grinned as he shook her hand, before being treated to a performance by traditional dancers.
During his trip, Harry has attended a commemoration of Zambian military veterans and meet Zambian officials, social workers and young people.
He has also attended an evening reception celebrating ties between Britain and Zambia.
On Tuesday, his schedule includes a visit to a military barracks and an event organised by The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, which supports the social work of young people worldwide, of which Harry is president.
The prince will also visit Circus Zambia, which provides educational and job opportunities to young people, and BongoHive, a Zambian technology and innovation center that helps entrepreneurs.
Where is Meghan?
His pregnant wife Meghan Markle was notably absent.
The Duchess of Sussex is believed to have pulled out of the trip after expressing ‘serious concerns’ about travelling to a country with ‘even the smallest’ threat of Zika virus.
Meghan is reportedly spending time with her mother, Doria Ragland, who is visiting her daughter in the UK while Harry is away.
Meghan Markle is currently around four months pregnant.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed they were expecting their first child together as they arrived in Sydney, Australia last month.
Their news was shared as Meghan began her second trimester, which is universally deemed as the safe point in a pregnancy which is why many wait for the three month mark before they share their news.
Kensington palace confirmed the exciting baby news in a statement on Monday 15 October.
The statement revealed Meghan is due to give birth in Spring 2019.
It read: ‘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.’
It’s understood Meghan had just had her three month scan, meaning she is well into her second trimester now.
While the Royal Family never reveal exact due dates for births, it’s expected Meghan’s is in April, which is five months from now.
The first day of Spring will fall on Wednesday 20 March, ending on Friday 21 June.
That would mean a due date of April is likely, although she could of course be slightly early which could see her giving birth at the end of March. This means Harry and Meghan’s baby could easily fall on Brexit day, which is Friday 29 March 2019.
If Meghan is late, however, her baby could be born on Prince Louis’ first birthday, which is 23 April 2019.
Meghan and Harry announced they were engaged on Monday 27 November 2017.
[/metro-fact-box]Royal baby in numbers
2 – Baby Sussex will have two homes – Nottingham Cottage in Kensington Palace and a country hideaway in the Cotswolds.
2 – The Sussexes already have two family pets – Meghan’s beagle Guy, and a new black labrador called Oz.
3 – Baby’s royal first cousins – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
4 – The infant will be the Prince of Wales’s fourth grandchild.
6 – Harry’s place in line to the throne.
7 – The baby will be born seventh in line to the throne.
7 – Meghan starred in seven seasons of the US legal drama Suits as paralegal-turned-lawyer Rachel Zane before marrying Harry.
8 – The Queen’s great-grandchildren after the baby is born. Newest additions include Prince Louis and Lena Tindall.
8 – The Duke of York’s position in line to the throne after the baby’s arrival. Andrew was born second in line in 1960.
34 – Harry’s age.
37 – Meghan’s age.
41 – Royal births are celebrated with a 41-gun salute.
£7,500 – Cost of a one night stay and delivery package at the private Lindo Wing, where Prince George and his siblings were born, including a suite of two rooms, but excluding consultants’ fees.
£47.4 million – The amount the Queen received from the taxpayer via the Sovereign Grant in 2017-2018 – 69p for each person in the country.
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