7 ways Meghan Markle's pregnancy and birth will be different from her first

"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," the couple announced via Kensington Palace's official Instagram account on October 15, 2018. "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."

The black-and-white shot was taken on an iPad by the Nigerian-born British photographer and longtime friend of the Duchess of Sussex Misan Harriman. It shows the couple relaxing outside, Markle lying on her back with her hand on her baby bump and resting her head on Harry's lap.

"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," a spokesperson for the couple told Insider via email.

The announcement came on Valentine's Day 2021, 37 years to the day newspapers shared the news that Princess Diana was pregnant with Prince Harry.

In Markle and Harry's interview with Oprah Winfrey in March, Markle said they decided to find out the sex of the baby "this time," implying that they decided to be surprised with Archie's birth.

Prince Harry told Winfrey he was feeling "just grateful."

"To have any child, any one or any two would've been amazing, but to have a boy and then a girl — what more could you ask for?" he said. "Now we've got our family. We've got the four of us, our two dogs."

They announced Markle's pregnancy right before embarking on a royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tonga in 2018. Her royal maternity wardrobe included designers like Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, and Dior.

She also faced "bump shaming" as the baby grew, and she was accused of seeking attention by holding her stomach even though Kate Middleton was described as "glowing" when she did the same thing while pregnant with Prince Louis two years earlier.

Markle has not been as visible during her second pregnancy. This is partly because she and Prince Harry are living more private lives since leaving their royal roles, but it's also due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

It used to be tradition for royal babies to be born at home. Queen Elizabeth had home births for all of her children.

Rumors emerged in April 2019 that the duchess was considering having her child at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. However, Archie's birth certificate confirmed that Markle gave birth at Portland Hospital at 5:26 a.m. on May 6, 2019.

Their second baby, due this summer, will be eighth in line for the throne — pushing back Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie in the royal line of succession. And since Markle will give birth in America, their baby will also be eligible to serve as president of the United States.

Harry and Markle created their own Instagram account, @sussexroyal, after splitting their household from the Cambridges. They posted a jubilant "It's a BOY!" birth announcement after Markle gave birth to a son.

As they began their transition out of royal life in February 2020, Harry and Markle confirmed they would change the name of their brand so it no longer included the word "royal," and stopped posting to their @sussexroyal account.

In April 2020, Harry and Markle rebranded by launching a non-profit organization named Archewell after their son, Archie.

It was reported in January 2021 that it's "very unlikely" the couple will return to social media. They no longer update their feeds because of the hate they received, a source told The Sunday Times at the time.

Before their public photo-call with members of the press, the couple introduced their new baby to Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, and Prince Charles. Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, was also present for the meeting.

Harry and Markle shared a photo of the sweet moment on their @sussexroyal Instagram page in May 2019.

Harry returned to the UK in April for Prince Philip's funeral in April — his first visit in more than a year. Markle was unable to attend the service since she did not receive medical clearance from her physician.

With coronavirus travel restrictions still in place between the two countries, the Queen's advancing age, and remaining tensions in the wake of Harry and Markle's interview with Oprah, it's likely that members of the royal family will have to meet the new baby virtually.

They held the photo-call in the same place they got married.

Since Harry and Markle shared a photo taken in their backyard to announce their second pregnancy, it's possible that their birth announcement will also take the form of a family photo at home. But they're unlikely to hold any kind of press event to introduce their new baby to the public.