The royal baby watch has officially begun! Fans have started to see less and less of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, as they prepare for the arrival of their upcoming bundle of joy.
Markle’s bump has grown bigger and bigger over the past several weeks, leading royal fans to start speculating Baby Sussex will arrive sometime this month. Although Meghan Markle and Prince Harry haven’t revealed the gender of their baby (and have even said that they themselves don’t know), that’s not stopping royal watchers from placing bets on what the baby’s name will be.
What are the favored baby names?
We’re taking a special look into Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s beautiful journey to parenthood. pic.twitter.com/n7KQsQkIm4— People (@people) March 29, 2019
Shortly after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry revealed their baby news in October 2018, betting sites in England started kicking into high gear. Fans are placing bets on everything from what the baby’s name will be to the timeframe when Markle actually gives birth. Royal fans can even bet on what the baby’s birth weight will be. The most popular betting subject remains baby names, with sites like Ladbrokes taking hundreds of bets as to what the royal couple will ultimately name their bundle of joy.
Popular odds have the royal baby pegged as a girl, and there are three names in the running for Baby Sussex’s moniker. While headlines proclaimed that Prince Harry would prefer the name Diana for a baby girl, popular public opinion has the leading girl name as Elizabeth. According to Ladbrokes, the top three names are Elizabeth, Diana, and Victoria.
Could they really name the baby after the queen?
There’s now a new favourite name for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s baby: https://t.co/lvREvOUBjD pic.twitter.com/FxSast1itV— HELLO! (@hellomag) April 3, 2019
There are several reasons why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could lend the name Elizabeth some favor. The most obvious one is that it would pay homage to Prince Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. The queen is reportedly a doting grandmother, and would no doubt be thrilled to have her latest great-grandchild named after her. In addition, Markle’s due date is reportedly sometime in late April, and there’s a distinct possibility that the new royal baby could share a birthday with the queen, whose birthday is April 21st. People are so certain that the couple will name the baby after the queen that Ladbrokes has the name at 6/1 odds, very favorable indeed.
Diana remains in the running, though it is seeming more and more likely that it won’t be the name that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle choose for their child. Although Prince Harry was very close to his mother, and the public retains a strong affection for Princess Diana, there are a lot of connotations that would go along with the name.
Princess Diana had a notoriously troubled relationship with the media, and knowing that the new royal baby will be exposed to the press from day one, Prince Harry might feel strongly against placing that burden on a child. Furthermore, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s daughter Charlotte already has the middle name Diana. While there’s still a possibility that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will pay homage to Princess Diana in some way through their baby’s name, it is a small one.
When will Meghan Markle give birth?
Prince Harry and Meghan are expecting their first child, but the couple already look at ease around children.
Meghan is a magnet for hugs and Harry seems to have a knack for cheering up unhappy toddlers.
We take a look back at their cutest kids moments.#PrinceHarryandMeghan pic.twitter.com/eQfVF0Iq1D— The Royal Family Channel (@RoyalFamilyITNP) March 28, 2019
Meghan Markle’s exact due date has not been revealed, in order to protect her and the baby’s privacy. However, royal bump watchers have it pegged for late April or even early May, which means Baby Sussex will be arriving very soon. Of course, no one knows yet if the baby is a boy or a girl, making the matter of guessing the name even more difficult. At least the public doesn’t have much longer to wait, as Meghan Markle will likely be starting her maternity leave very soon.