Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex announced that they are expecting their first child in 2019
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will give the title of grandmother to Doria Ragland. The mother of the Duchess of Sussex, 62, shared her happiness at the news of the arrival of her first grandchild.
"Ms. Ragland is very happy with this beautiful news and she is eager to welcome her first grandchild," the American said in a statement from Kensington Palace.
After days of speculation, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex finally confirmed their pregnancy. "Their Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in Spring 2019. Their Royal Highnesses appreciate all 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."
A source close to the palace revealed that Markle has already had the medical check-up and ultrasound corresponding to 12 weeks of pregnancy and confirmed that the duchess is in "good health."
Meghan and Harry made the announcement hours after landing in Sydney, Australia, the couple's first overseas tour since they married on May 19.
The son of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be seventh in line to the British throne after Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Prince Harry.
Doria, a social worker and yoga instructor in Los Angeles, has a close bond with her daughter and was the only known member of Meghan's family to attend the royal wedding.
The grandmother-to-be recently joined the Duchess at the launch of her cookbook in September to support a community cooking project created following London's Grenfell Tower fire. At the event Ragland said she was very proud of Meghan's achievement.
From the first moment the royal family of England accepted Doria. After the wedding ceremony, Prince Charles escorted the bride's mother up the steps of St. George's Chapel.
So far the Palace has not commented on whether Thomas Markle, the duchess's father, has been notified of the pregnancy. The former film illuminator has been estranged from his daughter since the royal wedding and has conducted several interviews in the media criticizing the royal family and Prince Harry.
The Palace revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will continue their tour, which focuses on environmental and conservation issues, as planned, despite warnings about the presence of the Zika virus in Fiji and Tonga.
