Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal baby could affect their plans to return to the UK

• The arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan's second child could affect their plans to visit the UK.
• They were expected to visit in June, however this may clash with Markle's due date.
• Prince Harry previously spoke about plans to return in the fall for the Rugby World Cup.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's royal baby could potentially change their plans to travel to the UK this year.

Representatives for the couple announced on Valentine's Day that they are expecting their second child with the statement: "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."

While Meghan Markle is yet to publicly announce when she is due to give birth, a source close to the couple told Us Weekly that "the baby is due at the end of spring," Marie Claire reports.

If the reported due date is accurate, this may cause the couple to postpone or alter plans to visit the royal family in London later this year.

The Sussexes were expected to return to the UK for the Queen's birthday in June and again in the fall

A spokesperson for the couple told Insider it's "too early to discuss any travel plans" after Markle's pregnancy announcement.

It was previously reported in The Sunday Times that Markle and Harry were expected to attend Trooping the Colour, an annual parade held at Buckingham Palace in honor of the Queen's birthday, which is currently due to take place in June.

Royal aides told the publication that it will be both an official and "family occasion," and therefore the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be expected to attend.

The couple recently announced that they have no plans to return to royal duties after their one-year review period is over. However, since Trooping the Colour is a family event that is also attended by non-working royals, this wouldn't affect the prospect of them attending.

If Harry, Markle, and Archie travel to the UK for the event, it also means they will be there to celebrate Prince Philip's 100th birthday on June 10.

The likelihood of the couple now attending could depend on a number of factors - not just Markle's due date. It will also depend on whether the family feel comfortable travelling internationally during the pandemic and whether it would be feasible to travel with COVID-19 restrictions in place.

Current travel restrictions in England state that travelers are required to quarantine for 10 days and take two COVID-19 tests upon arrival to the country.

Prince Harry could return to the UK alone

If they aren't able to make it back as early in June, it's still possible that Harry could visit later in the year.

"Prince Harry is determined to at least make it back to the UK for the long-awaited unveiling of the statue to his mother, Princess Diana, that's taking place at Kensington Palace in July," People's royal reporters Stephanie Petit and Simon Perry report.

The statue will be unveiled at the princess' former Kensington Palace home on her 60th birthday. The project was commissioned by Harry and Prince William back in 2017.

During a video call with members of the Rugby Football League back in August, the duke said he plans to return to his homeland to watch the upcoming World Cup, which is currently scheduled to be held in England between October 23 and November 27.

"We've got a whole Rugby League World Cup coming next year, so I definitely plan on coming back," Harry said. "I would have been back already had it not been for COVID."

The duke did not mention whether there were plans for Markle and Archie to join him on the visit.

The family have not returned to the UK since their final royal engagements in March 2020.