Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are celebrating their first Christmas as husband and wife today.
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The Duchess of Sussex is more than halfway into her first pregnancy during this year’s festivities and is set to celebrate with her brother-in-law Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton, as well as their three children.
Last year Meghan became the first non-married partner invited to Christmas lunch at Sandringham in 2017.
Christmas is always a busy day for the Royal Family with plenty of traditions to uphold, but how much longer does Meghan have to wait before she gives birth to her first child?
When is Meghan Markle due to give birth?
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed they were expecting their first child together as they arrived in Sydney, Australia in October.
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.’
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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 four 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.
[/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.
How are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spending Christmas?
The couple are set to spend this Christmas with Harry’s brother Prince William and Kate Middleton at Anmer Hall.
Anmer Hall is is the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Norfolk home, which gives Kate and Wills the opportunity to take time out of London life with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
This Christmas is Harry and Meghan’s second stay at Anmer with Kate and Wills, as they also spent last Christmas at the 18th century Georgian property.
Given it is Harry and Meghan’s first Christmas as husband and wife, it had been thought they may decide to spend it alone at Frogmore Cottage after Kensington Palace revealed they are leaving the London palace to live in the cottage, which is in the grounds of Frogmore House at Windsor Castle.
Previous reports had also suggested the Cambridges would be spending the festive period with Kate’s family in Bucklebury, but a royal source told the Mail Online: ‘Reports regarding Christmas are wrong. Everyone is in Norfolk this year.’
In fact, it seems the Sussexes are looking forward to their time in Norfolk, with another source told the Telegraph: ‘Harry and Meghan really enjoyed staying at Anmer Hall last year, especially spending quality time with Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and there’s no reason why they won’t want to do the same this year, especially as Meghan is going to be heavily pregnant.
‘It’s the best of both worlds in that they can take part in all the festivities at the big house, while retreating into their own space when needed. There would be total astonishment if Harry and Meghan don’t stay with William and Kate.’
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