Meghan Markle, age 37, and Prince Harry, 34, have become parents for the first time, following the safe arrival of baby Sussex. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have chosen to enjoy the special time privately, before announcing the good news to the world. They have confirmed they have had a baby boy, with more details to follow in forthoming days. The couple will likely ensure the youngster, who is seventh in the line of the succession to the throne, gets the chance to grow up with as much privacy as possible, considering his royal role. But, it may be that the child will be christened – and if so, will the world get to see the event?
While it’s yet to be confirmed whether there are plans for a christening or not, there are a number of signals which could suggest the royal baby will be baptised.
For one, the baby’s great grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II is the head of the Church of England.
The couple tied the knot in a televised ceremony back in May last year.
The church wedding took place in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
Ahead of the nuptials, Meghan, who was raised a Protestant and attended a Catholic school, is said to have been baptised into the Church of England in a private ceremony.
What’s more, all of the Royal Family have been christened – including Prince Harry.
Last year, a number of members of the Royal Family turned out for the christening of Kate Middleton and Prince William’s youngest child Prince Louis, now one.
The youngster was baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace.
Nicholas van Cutsem, Guy Pelly, Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, Lady Laura Meade, Hannah Gillingham Carter, and Lucy Middleton were announced as godparents.
Prince George, five, and Princess Charlotte, three, who are the elder two children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s three children, were also christened.
Meanwhile, some may ponder as to what life will be like for baby Sussex.
Following the Sussex family’s move to Frogmore Cottage, the tot will grow up in the stunning grounds of Home Park, Windsor.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex, has previously shed some light on what life in the Berkshire countryside is like.
During an unearthed interview, the royal, 54, revealed that it included plenty of time spent horse riding, as well as enjoying tea with Queen Elizabeth at her Windsor residence.
Where will the royal baby go to school?
While it’s still some years away, there is still the question of whether the tot will follow in the footsteps of their cousin Prince George.
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.