Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are expecting their second child.
People Magazine reported that a spokesperson for the couple confirmed they are expanding their family.
“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,” said the spokesperson.
Archie is Harry and Meghan’s first child. He is 19 months old and will turn 2 in May. Their charitable foundation, Archewell, is named after him. He is currently seventh in line to the British throne but does not have a title.
The couple announced the news via a photograph taken by their friend Misan Harriman. He featured the snapshot on his Instagram page.
The black-and-white image showed the duo as they relaxed in a tranquil outdoor area.
Harry sat down on a grassy field beneath a tree. The Duke of Sussex was dressed casually in a button-down, long-sleeved shirt. He wore long pants and was barefoot. Harry smiled lovingly at his wife, whose head was cradled in his lap.
Harry’s right hand touched Meghan’s hair as she rested her head on his left thigh and looked up at his face.
Meghan cradled her baby bump in a flowing dress by Carolina Herrera, reported People . The dress was sleeveless and the long skirt flowed over the tops of her feet.
The royals shared their happy news just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Royal reporter Omid Scobie wrote on Twitter that they may have chosen to reveal their happy news on this particular day in part to honor Harry’s late mother. Princess Diana announced she was pregnant with Harry on Valentine’s Day 37 years earlier.
The new arrival will be the first baby of British royal descent to be born in the United States. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex left their positions as senior royals in March 2020. Harry and Meghan set up a home in Montecito, California, where they reportedly live near both Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey. Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, also lives in California.
Followers of the duo shared their joy in the comments section of Misan’s post.
“Awwww I love this and I love them! Congrats to the beautiful couple,” wrote one fan.
“Wonderful news and gorgeous shot!” a second person exclaimed.
“Sweet! Such a lovely photo,” added a third Instagram user.
The prince had previously said he would like to have just two children, citing his concerns for the environment and the effects of global warming. These comments came in his interview with primate expert Jane Goodall in the July 2019 edition of British Vogue.