The announcement comes after Meghan Markle had said that she suffered a miscarriage during her second pregnancy.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are expecting their second child, which they announced on Valentine's Day. This follows the news that came a few months ago when the duchess revealed that she had experienced a miscarriage. They got married on May 19, 2018, and their first son named Archie will turn 2 years old in May.
The couple is "overjoyed," a spokesperson of the family said on February 14, 2021, as per NBC News. "We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child," said the to People.
They announced the pregnancy with a beautiful black-and-white photo that was taken remotely via iPad by their friend and longtime photographer, Misan Harriman. In the photo, a smiling Prince Harry looks down at Meghan, who is lying with her head on his lap while cradling her baby bump. The image is reminiscent of the last seen of the romantic film Notting Hill.
"Meg, I was there at your wedding to witness this love story begin, and my friend, I am honoured to capture it grow," Harriman wrote on Instagram. "Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on this joyous news!"
Meghan wore a flowing dress by Carolina Herrera. It was made when she was pregnant with Archie. The couple revealed their joyful news after the 39-year-old duchess bared her heart in a New York Times essay. "Losing a child means carrying an almost unbearable grief, experienced by many but talked about by few," she wrote.
Meghan, 39, and Harry, 36, left their royal lives behind in 2020 to have a chance at having a normal family. Their decision ruffled many feathers but they still persevered towards having a future they had control over. A palace source previously told People that the couple "knew they were going to hit the nuclear button" on their royal exit by Archie's birth. They only wanted to focus on "doing what's right for their family," added another friend.
The couple paid a tribute to Princess Diana by choosing to announce their second pregnancy on Valentine's Day much like how the late People's Princess had announced her second pregnancy on February 14, 1984, as per People.
A touching tribute announcing for the Sussexes to announce their exciting news on #ValentinesDay❤️ It was exactly 37 years ago that Princess Diana shared with the world that she was pregnant with Prince Harry. pic.twitter.com/NQfUiw62Sc
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) February 14, 2021
According to an archived Daily Express article from the time, the Princess of Wales' pregnancy was announced by the Buckingham palace through a statement. It said that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were "delighted" by the news. It also added that Diana, 22, had "no preference whether it is a boy or girl."
Prince Harry's family has already responded to the news and has wished the couple on this occasion. Prince Charles, who is going to be a grandfather for the fifth time now, the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the rest of the family, "are delighted," a spokesperson said, according to Town & Country.
Ever since Archie's birth, Prince Harry and Meghan have been "over the moon." They take their role as parents seriously and the new addition will only grow their happiness. "It's magic. It's pretty amazing. I have the best two guys in the world, so I'm really happy," Meghan had gushed during the first press conference after Archie's birth in 2019, as per People. "He's just been a dream," she added.
Harry had added, "It's been the most amazing experience I could ever possibly imagine. [We look forward to spending] precious times with him as he slowly, slowly starts to grow up."
Both Harry and Meghan are children of broken homes as both of their parents separated when they were young. Harry faced the added tragedy of losing his mom at a tender age while Meghan's relationship with her father is fraught with conflict. However, much like their own devoted mums, they have decided to engage in conscious parenting to ensure their kids have the best emotional environment to grow.
References:
https://people.com/royals/meghan-markle-rewear-dress-second-pregnancy-announcement/