Harry and Meghan expecting first baby next year

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting their first child, due in the spring of 2019, the couple's office Kensington Palace announced on Monday.

The baby will be seventh in line to the British throne.

The Duchess is believed to be about 12 weeks pregnant.

Harry and Meghan have announced they are expecting a child. Reuters

'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,' the palace said in a statement.

The news emerged shortly after the royal couple landed in Australia for their first overseas tour, a busy trip which will also take in New Zealand and the South Pacific islands of Tonga and Fiji.

Harry, the son of Prince Charles and his late first wife Princess Diana, and Meghan, former star of TV show Suits, married in a glittering ceremony in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle five months ago that attracted huge interest worldwide.

The couple returned to the castle for the marriage of Harry's cousin Princess Eugenie on Friday which was attended by all the senior members of the British royal family. Media said Harry and Meghan broke the news of the pregnancy to other members of the royal family at the wedding.

The couple have made no secret of their wish to have a family, with Meghan saying in an interview on their engagement that becoming a mother was on her 'bucket list'.

Additional reporting by Reuters.

News
Faith, justice and change: Niall Cooper reflects on nearly three decades with Church Action on Poverty
Faith, justice and change: Niall Cooper reflects on nearly three decades with Church Action on Poverty

After 28 years at the helm of Church Action on Poverty, Niall Cooper is stepping down from his role as director – marking the end of a remarkable chapter in Christian social justice and offering a moment for both reflection and gratitude.

Samuel Escobar, Latin American theologian and missions leader, dies at 90
Samuel Escobar, Latin American theologian and missions leader, dies at 90

Samuel Escobar Aguirre, a leading Peruvian theologian, missiologist and Bible scholar, has died at the age of 90.

Cost-saving claims raise fears for vulnerable under UK assisted suicide plans
Cost-saving claims raise fears for vulnerable under UK assisted suicide plans

Financial savings for Britain's broken healthcare system could pressure more vulnerable people into choosing assisted suicide if it were to be legalised.

The hidden harm of the prosperity gospel
The hidden harm of the prosperity gospel

Who wouldn’t want a faith that promises wealth, health, and success? But beneath its shiny surface, the prosperity gospel holds dangerous distortions of God’s character and the true essence of Christian faith.