Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Royal Baby: Everything We Know

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Royal Baby: Everything We Know

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's royal baby is coming. The future member of the Sussex family is expected to arrive this spring, and the Internet can hardly wait. It was only in October that Kensington Palace revealed Markle and Prince Harry were expecting, and since then there have been several reports speculating the baby's name, sex, and how the parents-to-be are planning for this big life change. Instead of leaving you to scour for tidbits, we're dropping everything that's known about Baby Sussex in this handy post. Read on—and mark your calendars for late April/early May. You'll find out why in just a sec.

1. The name: We won't know this until Markle gives birth, but she and Prince Harry reportedly have a "long list" of baby names. In the meantime, though, they've nicknamed Baby Sussex their "little bump."

2. The sex: According to a recent report from Us Weekly, Markle and Prince Harry do know the sex of their baby, but they're not telling the general public. That being said, a source tells the magazine that Markle revealed to friends at her New York City baby shower she's having a boy.

But take this with a grain of salt. "Traditionally, the royal couple does not learn the sex of the baby until the birth," Myka Meier, founder and director of Beaumont Etiquette, tells Glamour. "Besides the people in the delivery room, it's tradition that the queen is first to be told of the new arrival via phone call. While there are many royal baby traditions that have been broken in recent generations—such as Princess Diana being the first to birth a royal baby outside of a palace and, instead, in a hospital—saving sex reveal for the day of birth is likely one that will stay for generations to come."

3. The due date: Baby Sussex is due in late April or early May, according to royals reporters who overheard Markle tell this to well-wishers in Birkenhead, England, on January 14. According to Hello!, when Markle gives birth, the queen will be the first to know.

<h1 class="title">BRITAIN-ROYALS</h1> <cite class="credit">Getty Images</cite>

BRITAIN-ROYALS

Getty Images

4. The birth plan: Though it was rumored that Markle wanted a home birth, that might not be the case any longer. According to recent reports, Markle will give birth at the Lindo Wing of London's St. Mary's Hospital, where her sister-in-law Kate Middleton had all three of her children—and staff there have reportedly been banned from taking time off in April. "I would be hugely surprised if Meghan didn’t give birth at the Lindo Wing. It has the security and the resources needed for a royal birth," a source told Page Six.

5. The home: Markle and Prince Harry are relocating from Kensington Palace to Frogmore Cottage, which is on the grounds of Windsor Castle. This is where they're planning to raise their child for the time being.

<h1 class="title">The Fashion Awards 2018 In Partnership With Swarovski - Show</h1> <cite class="credit">Getty Images</cite>

The Fashion Awards 2018 In Partnership With Swarovski - Show

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6. The nursery:Vanity Fair reports that Markle and Prince Harry are in the midst of setting up their "eco-friendly, gender-neutral nursery," which will come equipped with a playroom and two bedrooms—including one for Markle's mother, Doria Ragland. The color scheme, per VF, is white and gray and will include "top-of-the-line cameras, security windows, and a state-of-the-art stereo system." “They are going all out with the refurbishment of the house, and as Harry loves his gadgets, it’s going to be very cool. They’ll be able to control everything from their smartphones,” a friend tells the magazine.

7. The nanny: For now, Markle and Prince Harry are reportedly not hiring outside help and will instead rely on Markle's mother for when they're in a pinch.

8. The delivery team: Markle has reportedly turned down the services of the royal household gynecologists and broken protocol by selecting her own delivery team, which the Daily Mail reports is led by a female doctor. However, the royal doctors—who are reportedly some of the best in the world—will still stick around in case they're needed during delivery.

Us Weekly also reports that Markle has been working with a doula in the lead-up to giving birth. A doula would also typically be present to assist the birthing process once a woman goes into labor. “Meghan is focused on calm and positive energy around the birth—she’s a big believer in that,” the magazine's source says. And Prince Harry is focused on "doing everything he can to make sure Meghan’s comfortable and happy.”

9. The natural birth: Seeing as Meghan's a California girl with a yoga teacher for a mom, it's not surprising to hear that she's hoping to have a natural birth. “Meg wants a natural birth if she can have one," a source tellsVanity Fair. "Her mother is very into anything that is holistic and natural, and having been brought up with yoga and mindfulness, it’s all very much part of Meghan’s birth plan.” To that end, it's reported that the Duchess of Sussex has been meeting with acupuncturist Ross Barr during her third trimester. “Meghan has been having regular acupuncture sessions to help her unwind and relax. It’s brilliant for the blood circulation and boosting blood flow to the uterus. She plans to use acupuncture right up to her due date,” says a source close to Barr. (Reportedly, Markle and Prince Harry also did acupuncture before their royal wedding last spring.) Markle has also reportedly been learning a technique called hypno-birthing, which involves deep breathing to help relieve the pain of labor.

10. The education: Although the royal baby won't even be born until spring, there is already speculation about how and where he/she will attend school once the time comes. A source tells E! that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex "are thought to want a more diverse education for their child" and that "Meghan is also keen for her child to be fully aware of his or her American heritage." Rumor has it that ACS Egham International School—which offers an American curriculum and is located near the couple's new home in Windsor—is being considered.

<h1 class="title">The Duchess Of Sussex Joins A International Women's Day Panel Discussion</h1> <cite class="credit">Samir Hussein/WireImage</cite>

The Duchess Of Sussex Joins A International Women's Day Panel Discussion

Samir Hussein/WireImage

11. The godparents: We won't officially know who will be named as Baby Sussex's godparents until after he or she is born, but speculation is already rampant about who will receive the coveted titles. “It’s likely we’ll see close friends of Harry and Meghan, close friends of Diana and her family, and perhaps close friends of Prince Charles too,” royal expert Victoria Arbiter says. Markle's best friend, Jessica Mulroney, is almost a sure thing. “She has been an amazing friend, and she has an amazing background in terms of her marriage to Ben Mulroney, whose father was prime minister [of Canada]," Arbiter says. "They would be able to offer wisdom about being in the public eye.” She adds that some of Prince Harry's friends as well as a cousin or an aunt from Princess Diana's side of the family are likely to be included. However, two names we probably won't see are Prince William and Kate Middleton. “They’re already going to be Auntie and Uncle!” a royal source toldUs Weekly. But it has nothing to do with royal drama: Prince Harry is not a godfather to any of his brother's children.

12. The parenting style: Whether Baby Sussex is a boy or a girl, sources say Harry and Meghan won't impose traditional gender roles on their little one. “Meghan has been talking to some of her friends about the birth and how she and Harry plan to raise their baby. Her exact word was fluid,” one tellsVanity Fair. “She said they plan to raise their child with a fluid approach to gender and they won’t be imposing any stereotypes.”

<h1 class="title">Commonwealth Day 2019</h1> <cite class="credit">Samir Hussein/WireImage</cite>

Commonwealth Day 2019

Samir Hussein/WireImage

13. The paternity leave: While it's believed that Meghan Markle is already officially on maternity leave (at least from public royal engagements) ahead of the birth of her first child, Prince Harry is said to also be taking a two-week paternity leave after the baby is born. "He doesn't need to take paternity leave because he doesn't work in the way most people do, but he thinks it's a very modern dad thing to do," a friend of his says. And the queen seems cool with it. "I'm sure Her Majesty will accommodate a break from duties," a Buckingham Palace source said.

14. The prebaby prep: As she enters the last stage of her pregnancy, Meghan's “California roots are coming through,” as a source told People magazine. “She’s being mindful of what she puts in her body and on her skin and even her at-home cleaning supplies,” the person says. “She’s hyperaware of what she’s using. She’s looking for natural things.” And don't expect things to change after Baby Sussex arrives. “She eats cleaner, and she’ll probably make her own baby food,” the source adds. “It’s going to be clean living for this baby.”

15. The babymoon:According to The Sun's royal correspondent Emily Andrews, Meghan and Harry slipped away for a four-night getaway in the English countryside ahead of Baby Sussex's arrival. Of course, since the couple is literal royalty, the accommodations were seriously luxe. The duke and duchess reportedly stayed at the countryside Heckfield Place hotel in a suite with its own dining room and two private terraces that reportedly costs £10,000 a night.

“Meghan is only a couple of weeks away from giving birth, so Harry really wanted to treat her," a source toldThe Sun.