Royal baby latest: Prince Harry could jet off to overseas engagement in the Netherlands days after birth of his first child

Prince Harry is to go to the Netherlands in May
REUTERS
Jacob Jarvis1 May 2019

Prince Harry may have to jet off for a royal engagement in the Netherlands just days after the royal baby is born.

The Duke of Sussex is set to visit the country on May 8 and 9, Buckingham Palace announced on Wednesday.

His wife Meghan is expected to give birth any day now, with the due date believed to have been in late April or early May.

The scheduled trip could mean the Prince must leave his first child and the new mother's side.

Prince Harry at the London Marathon - in pictures

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A short statement from Buckingham Palace said: "While in the Netherlands, the duke will undertake an official engagement in Amsterdam.

"His Royal Highness will then travel to The Hague to officially launch the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games The Hague 2020."

Harry previously visited Amsterdam last year to attend a major Aids conference and shared a platform with musician and Aids campaigner Sir Elton John.

Meghan Markle's maternity looks - In pictures

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to announce the birth of the child, which will be seventh in line for the throne, in the coming days.

Reports the birth will be midwife-led at the couple’s home at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.

Meghan is now on maternity leave from official royal duties.

Meghan Markle dinner and baby shower - In pictures

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In a break from royal tradition, the couple previously announced their new-born will not be making his or her public appearance on the day of its birth.

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very grateful for the goodwill they have received from people throughout the United Kingdom and around the world as they prepare to welcome their baby,” a palace statement read.

“Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private.

“The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family.”

The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry attend Anzac Day Service

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Kensington Palace says the press and the public will be informed when Meghan goes into labour.

However, the public will not be told where Meghan plans to give birth.

After a flurry of bets on the imminent arrival of baby Sussex, a number of bookies have now suspended all bets on the tot arriving tomorrow.

A spokesperson for bookmakers.tv said: There have been an aboral number of bets on Meghan giving birth tomorrow, Thursday the 2nd May, forcing bookies to stop taking bets on the market altogether. Ever since this morning, the stream of bets led bookies to believe that perhaps the punters, or an inside source, knows something more than the industry.”

Since news broke of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex expecting their first child, royal punters have spent a record £9m betting on Meghan’s due date, the baby’s gender, whether it will receive a royal title, name, amongst other things.

By the time the royal baby’s name is announced it is believed punters will have parted with up to £12m, which will mark the biggest ever novelty betting bonanza on record.

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