Here's what Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's first week as parents will be like
It’s the most hotly anticipated arrival of 2019, and the world has been preparing to hang out the bunting to celebrate the birth of the new royal.
It was all quiet on the labour front as Closer went to press, although there is widespread speculation Meghan Markle won’t follow in Kate Middleton or Princess Diana’s footsteps by having Baby Sussex in the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s, Paddington.
Instead, she wants a water birth – a royal first – at their Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage
Last week, the couple announced they plan to keep the birth private, and won’t be posing for the traditional post-birth photograph.
CHECK OUT celebs due to give birth in 2019
Pregnant Celebs 2019 Closer - SLIDER & STACKED USE THIS ONE
1 of 16Marnie Simpson and Casey Johnson
Marnie Simpson announced she was pregnant with her first child with boyfriend Casey Johnson in April, after fearing she was infertile.
2 of 16Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez
Strictly Come Dancing love birds Gorka Marquez and Gemma Atkinson announced their pregnancy with an adorable instagram snap of their two pups Norman and Ollie with signs around their necks saying "Guess what... Mum's pregnant! We're going to be big brothers!"Aww!
3 of 16Jess Hayes and Dan Lawry
Love Island winner Jess Hayes announced she's pregnant with her first child with Dan Lawry, and the happy couple are expecting in July.
4 of 16Myleene Klass and Simon Motson
Former Hear'Say singer and TV presenter Myleene Klass has announced that she is pregnant with her third child.Myleene, 40, revealed the happy news on Instagram on Valentines Day with an adorable photo of her baby bump with the simple caption '❤ufe0f'.This will be Myleene's third child but her first with her partner Simon Motson. Myleene already has daughters, Ava, 11 and Hero, 7.
5 of 16Hayley Tamaddon
Actress Hayley Tamaddon, who's starred in Emmerdale and Corrie, announced she's expecting her first child - age 42!"I'm so pleased to tell you all... I'm expecting my first child with my wonderful boyfriend Adrian!!" she said. "I've always wanted to be a mum and didn't think I could have children. And now, at the ripe old age of 42 - I'M PREGNANT! And We couldn't be happier. "
6 of 16Chloe Lewis
Chloe Lewis announced her pregnancy with boyfriend Danny Flasher in May, with a v. cute Instagram post.
7 of 16Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev
Strictly Come Dancing lovers Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev announced they'd be having their first child in May.
8 of 16Julia Goudling and Ben Silver
Congrats are in order for Coronation Street actor Julia Goulding and her husband Ben Silver who are expecting their first child – just three months after getting married.
9 of 16Hannah Elizabeth
Original Love Islander Hannah Elizabeth has been celebrating her pregnancy with some very racy lingerie snaps. She made her announcement in May.
10 of 16Malia Arkian
Most famous for getting ejected from the Love Island villa just HOURS after arriving in 2016, Malia Arkian announced in June that she was expecting her first child with, and was engaged to, her footballer boyfriend Hope Akpan.
11 of 16Helen Briggs and Chet Johnson
One of the only successful couples to have come from Ex on the Beach, Helen Briggs and Chet Johnson, have announced their first pregnancy with a really gorgeous snap on Instagram. "Half me, half you," wrote Helen, alongside the post.
12 of 16Anna Willamson and Alex Di Pasquale
Anna Williamson announced her second pregnancy with husband Alex Di Pasquale with a gorgeous cover shoot with OK! magazine. "I'm not getting any younger, so when we discovered I was pregnant, we were so pleased," she said.
13 of 16Jeremy McConnell and Katie McCreath
Jeremy McConnell's girlfriend Katie McCreath confirmed she's expecting their first child together (and Jeremy's second) a week after Jeremy made his own announcement on Instagramwhich he then claimed was "a prank".
14 of 16Joe Wicks and Rosie Jones
Joe Wicks announced he was expecting his second child with wife Rosie Jones with a lovely family snap on Instagram which showed off Rosie's 19-week bump. "We are very happy and excited to grow our family," he said.
15 of 16Jeremy Kyle and Vicky Burton
Jeremy Kyle announced he was going to be a dad again in August, to his first child with girlfriend Vicky Burton, following the axing of his daytime TV show.
16 of 16Aaron announced he was expecting his first child with girlfriend Talia Oatway, with some beautiful family portraits of them together along with Talia's daughter, who Aaron's played step-dad to since they got together two years ago. The shock announcement came just days after reports the couple had split as they unfollowed each other on social media.
Aaron announced he was expecting his first child with girlfriend Talia Oatway, with some beautiful family portraits of them together along with Talia's daughter, who Aaron's played step-dad to since they got together two years ago.The shock announcement came just days after reports the couple had split as they unfollowed each other on social media.
An insider says The Queen (protocol dictates she is the first to hear the news) and close family will be welcome, but Harry, 34 and Meghan, 37, want space and privacy.
The source adds, “At Frogmore, they can go to ground. They’re eager to be wonderful parents.”
Apart from security officers, they have no staff living in the five-bedroom cottage, and Meghan’s mum, Doria, 62, will be the only guest for the next few weeks, while insiders reveal a new nursery is already in place.
A source says, “Their hi-tech nursery has cost them around £150k, and has been kitted out with state-of-the-art baby monitor, reinforced windows and cameras all synced to their smartphones. There’s a £25k wall-length mood screen, which is programmed to project soothing images for the baby.”
Meghan loves yoga, and pals say she’ll sign up the newborn for baby yoga.
The insider says, “Meghan’s post-baby routine will include daily yoga sessions, along with 5am meditation, which she’s been doing throughout her pregnancy.”
READ MORE celeb news
Harry Potter star Bonnie Wright looks almost UNRECOGNISABLE in new pics
WATCH Amy Childs reveals her top mum tips
The couple have also been seen at an organic apothecary in Kensington, where “singing” crystal bowls and gongs promote inner calm to aid meditation. It also offers massage therapy to promote the flow of breast milk and assist in childbirth recovery.
Baby Sussex will be seventh in line to the throne, and will have more freedom than its Cambridge cousins.
“Harry wants his kids to have normal childhoods,” says an insider. “And he’ll do his best to make sure his child grows up away from the spotlight on the Windsor estate."
Read even more celeb insider secrets in this week's Closer magazine - out now.