Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are expecting their second child - this is where the baby will be in the line to the throne

The pair made a nod to Diana, Princess of Wales, in their announcement. (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)The pair made a nod to Diana, Princess of Wales, in their announcement. (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)
The pair made a nod to Diana, Princess of Wales, in their announcement. (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - have confirmed they are expecting their second child.

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The couple announced their news with a black and white photograph which captured Meghan lying down cradling her baby bump and Prince Harry resting his hand on her head.

A spokesperson for the pair said: “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.”

As of yet, it is not known whether the baby will be a girl or a boy, or when the due date is.

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Eighth in line to the throne

Late last year, the Duchess revealed she had suffered a miscarriage, writing in The New York Times about the traumatic experience.

As with the Duke and Duchess's first child, Archie, it is likely the pair's second child will grow up removed from the royal family in Montecito, California, where they now reside after giving up royal life.

The baby will be the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh's 10th or 11th great-grandchild, depending on whether it arrives before Zara Tindall’s baby. The child will also be Prince Charles' fifth grandchild.

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In spite of stepping away from royal life, Harry has retained his place in the line of succession to the British throne.

This means his second child will sit eighth in line to the throne with an entitlement to be a Lord or Lady. It is expected, however, that Harry and Meghan will opt for a "Master" or "Miss" title with the surname Mountbatten-Windsor, as they did with their first child Archie.

Harry and Meghan have almost followed in the footsteps of the duke’s late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, who announced her pregnancy with Harry on 13 February 1984, with the news hitting the headlines on 14 February.

In response to the news, Buckingham Palace said: “Her Majesty, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and the entire family are delighted and wish them well.”