The Duke and Duchess of Sussex thrilled fans on Monday morning by announcing they’re expecting their first baby.
But royal watchers had called the baby announcement days earlier, following the couple’s appearance at Princess Eugenie’s wedding on Friday.
And the rumours intensified again on Monday morning when Meghan arrived in Sydney clutching two purple folders in front of her stomach.
Read more: Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland is “very happy” about pregnancy news
Viewers immediately suspected Meghan, 37, was pregnant by her choice of clothing at Eugenie’s big day.
She wore a loose-fitting navy Givenchy coat to the nuptials, which she kept on throughout the ceremony despite it being a mild temperature day.
https://twitter.com/NotSry2LoveDE/status/1050724927068930049
Judging by the fact that she’s wearing a heavy coat indoors; Meghan Markle is either pregnant or the type to get chilly easily. #royalwedding #royalwedding2
— Queen Ashley of the Virgos (@virgosnarkqueen) October 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/Paulinas_world/status/1050700529498775552
Meghan wearing a coat… Mum says straight away, “bet she’s pregnant” #RoyalWedding
— Meg Saultry (@megsaultry) October 12, 2018
And Meghan hints she's pregnant. Why else would you wear a cover up coat to a wedding when you know the world will be watching you. #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/1XazVi5DdQ
— Nicola Brookes (@Nicola_Real) October 12, 2018
I don't want to jump the gun and say that Duchess Meghan is pregnant however….she wore a coat the entire time during the wedding. #duchessofsussex
— The Everyday Duchess (@DuchessEveryday) October 12, 2018
I think Meghan Markle is pregnant, looking at that coat she wore to the wedding. That makes me ridiculously happy.
— Peggy Blair (@peggy_blair) October 12, 2018
The royal also slipped into the chapel at speed after arriving by car; royal experts on the day suggested she didn’t want to upstage the bride, but perhaps it was because she didn’t want to showcase a baby bump on Eugenie’s big day?
https://twitter.com/Jessicaaandrews/status/1050683829453803520
Then, after Meghan and Harry arrived in Sydney to start their overseas tour on Monday, many speculated that Meghan was holding purple files in front of her stomach to hide a bump.
Fans called it on Twitter, predicting a baby announcement was on the way.
https://twitter.com/Sabahbah24/status/1051674150832664576
Nothing screams knocked up more than some random purple folders tbh #royalbaby
— to whom it may concern (@bishcheese) October 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/lucyjdeane/status/1051743040858193920
Wake up Sheeple! The purple folders were strategically placed to hide the pregnancy!
— Natalie Reilly (@thatnatreilly) October 15, 2018
Kensington Palace confirmed Meghan and Harry’s baby news in a statement on Monday morning.
A spokesperson said: “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.
“Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of 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.”
It’s believed Meghan and Harry shared their baby news with the Royal Family at Princess Eugenie’s wedding on Friday.
A palace rep said: “The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted for the couple and were able to congratulate them on Friday at the wedding in person.”
The baby will be seventh in line to the throne.
Read more: Viewing figures for Royal Wedding announced
The confirmation came as she and Harry arrived in Sydney, Australia to start their first overseas tour as a married couple.
They will also visit New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji, with palace officials saying they had sought medical advice on their travel plans and would continue as they had planned despite the presence of Zika in Tonga and Fiji.
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