Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will soon have another member of their Royal Family, as the couple announced they are expecting a baby.
They news broke on Monday morning, and Kensington Palace wrote on Twitter: “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.”
The couple’s child will have Kate Middleton and Prince William’s children Prince George, five, Princess Charlotte, three, and Prince Louis, born in April, as cousins.
Many had suspected the pregnancy in the past weeks, but now an expert has revealed the tell-tale signs Meghan was expecting.
Body language expert Judi James told Express.co.uk the body language clues we all missed.
She claimed the best clues could be seen on September 20, when Meghan was launching a project.
She said: “The most comprehensive clues that Meghan might be pregnant came when she was launching the Grenfell cook book.”
The Duchess’s mother came into town, and she, Meghan and Harry attended the launch together.
Judi said: “Firstly there was her mother Doria, arriving from the U.S. to temporarily take Harry’s place at her daughter’s side as mothers tend to do when there’s a first baby on the way, looking proud and protective and leaving a rather bashful-looking Harry following along behind.”
Meghan put an arm over her stomach, a move Judi said was rather revealing. She said: “Then there was the way that Meghan performed a very telling gesture as she walked from the car, placing an arm across her stomach area in a reflective act of protection and masking.
“She was clearly keen to keep the pregnancy a secret but this body language give-away showed where her real focus was at the time.”
Her doting husband Prince Harry also gave off some body language signals that a baby was on the way.
Judi said: “Interestingly, Harry used the same gestural ‘tell’.
“As he walked behind his wife his hand also performed an act of subliminal mimicry, rising to his waistband in an act of empathetic thinking that many new fathers will use.”
The way their interacted with one another was also a big sign, Judi explained.
“Harry and Meghan’s touch rituals had also changed dramatically recently,” she said.
“Their PDAs and tie-signs had usually involved Meghan touching Harrys back or patting or stroking his arm to suggest reassurance, affection and steering.
“Suddenly though it was Harry doing all the protective touches, placing a hand on his wife’s back or an arm around her waist in rituals of loving concern.”
Fashion fans may have noticed Meghan’s wardrobe changing, which Judi also pointed out. She said: “Meghan’s clothing style changed too, from the sleeker figure-hugging fashions or the chic masculine tailoring complete with wide, tight statement belts to tops with frills or peplums to cover her stomach or that beautiful coat she wore to Eugenie’s wedding with the lower buttons left undone for comfort.”
Meghan Markle’s baby bump was on show in a green dress.
Who is Meghan Markle? Quick profile
Meghan Markle was born Rachel Meghan Markle, on August 4, 1981 to parents Doria Ragland and father Thomas Markle.
Her father was previously married to Roslyn Loveless and Meghan has two elder half sibling – sister Samantha Markle and brother Thomas Markle Junior.
Actress
Meghan’s first television appearance in the USA was in an episode of the medical drama General Hospital in 2002.
She later moved on to roles in CSI, Without a Trace and Castle along with bit parts in Hollywood films including Get Him to the Greek, Remember Me and Horrible Bosses.
Meghan was also a “briefcase girl” on Deal or No Deal – but her most famous role was as Rachel Zane in legal drama Suits, which launched in 2011.
She was written out in the finale of the seventh series when her character got married, which aired in April 2018 – just before she got married herself.
Charity and humanitarian work
Meghan Markle’s career in television has gone hand-in-hand with her support for causes close to her heart.
She wrote about the stigma around menstrual health in an article for Time magazine and was a Global Ambassador for World Vision Canada – with whom she travelled to Rwanda for the charity’s Clean Water Campaign.
And her commitment to gender equality has seen her work with the United Nations – receiving a standing ovation in 2015 for her speech to mark International Women’s Day.
Relationships
In September 2011, she wed film producer Trevor Engelson, who she began dating in 2004.
But the pair divorced two years later in August 2013, citing irreconcilable difference.
She was in a relationship with celebrity chef Cory Vitiello for almost two years, before they broke it off in 2016 but the two remain good friends.
And in June 2016, she met Prince Harry on a blind date set up by a mutual friend.
Their relationship began in October that year and just over one year later, on November 27, 2017, the pair announced their engagement.
They married on May 19, 2018 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
Meghan’s heritage
Some have claimed Meghan Markle is the first mixed-race member of the Royal Family.
Historians are still arguing about Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III.
But Meghan will be the first royal to openly embrace a mixed-race heritage.
She has written about the difficulties of being a biracial actress in Hollywood as she claims she is not black enough for some roles and not white enough for others.