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British Royals

The link with Diana in the Duchess of Sussex’s pregnancy announcement

The news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will welcome a new baby this year came on Valentine’s Day 2021. And while that might be a day for lovers everywhere, it also has a special link to the new baby’s paternal grandparents. For Diana’s pregnancy with Harry was making news on Valentine’s Day 1984.

On February 14th that year, the papers were filled with the news that the Prince and Princess of Wales would welcome a second child in the autumn. Diana was just a few months into her pregnancy when the announcement was made on February 13th 1984. Headlines around the world the following day, Valentine’s Day, were dominated by the news that the UK was about to get a new royal baby. Charles and Diana’s son, Henry Charles Albert David, was born almost exactly seven months later, on September 15th 1984.

No due date has been shared by the Sussexes yet though the new photo of them, released to mark their special news, shows the Duchess with a growing baby bump and looking happy, healthy and well advanced into her pregnancy. Given that she sadly lost a baby to miscarriage last year, it would be no surprise if the couple had waited a little longer to make their special news public.

Harry and Meghan’s new baby will be eighth in line to the throne from birth.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.