"We can confirm that Archie," the first son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, "is going to be a big brother," the couple's spokesperson, who stepped back from the British crown, said on Sunday. .
"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child," he added.
Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip, of whom Harry is the grandson, her father Prince Charles and "the whole royal family" are "delighted and send them their best wishes", according to a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace.
Photographer Misan Harriman, touted as a longtime friend of the couple by UK media, tweeted a black and white photo of them all smiles sitting at the foot of a tree, Meghan resting her hand on her round stomach.
“Meg, I was there at your wedding to witness this love affair that was beginning, and my friend, I am honored to see her grow. Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on this joyous news!”, he tweeted.
Meg, I was there at your wedding to witness this love story begin, and my friend, I am honored to capture it grow.
Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on this joyous news! #Remoteshoot #shotonipad #shotbymisan pic.twitter.com/3iSYjydVj9
- Misan Harriman (@misanharriman) February 14, 2021
In November, Meghan Markle revealed in a column published in the New York Times that she had miscarried in July.
Having a miscarriage causes "immense pain," she wrote.
It is something that remains "taboo, covered with a sense of unwarranted shame, perpetuating a cycle of lonely mourning."
The process of sharing its experience had been welcomed by associations.
Archie has an American accent
The happy news comes days after Meghan Markle, 39, won her case against British tabloid Daily Mail over the publication of a letter she sent to her father, with whom she is at odds.
Prince Harry, 36, sixth in the order of succession to the British crown, has repeatedly denounced media pressure on his couple and made it the main reason for his withdrawal from the royal family, effective since April 2020.
The ex-American actress and Diana's son, who died in a car accident while being chased by paparazzi in Paris in 1997, have since moved to California.
Harry and Meghan had also invoked their desire for financial independence.
They have both signed several contracts with content platforms, including the American giant Netflix.
Critics have criticized them for seeking to profit from their membership in the royal family and their fame while refusing to take on the protocol aspects.
The couple put forward their willingness to work for humanitarian causes through their new foundation, Archwell, name inspired by that of their son.
They also launched a podcast, in which Archie, seventh in line to the British crown, addressed the audience for the first time, revealing to the chagrin of British media that the child has an American accent.
A few days ago, the British royal family has already grown with the birth of the son of Princess Eugenie, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II.
The child, whose name has not been released, is in 11th place in the order of the queen's succession.
This is the ninth great-grandchild of the sovereign.
With AFP
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