Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan are expecting their first child in the spring, Kensington Palace said Monday.
The announcement came hours after Harry and Meghan arrived in Sydney at the start of a 16-day visit to Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. Hundreds of people gathered to catch a glimpse of the couple after they landed. The baby would be seventh in line for the British throne.
"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 palace said.
British Prime Minister Theresa May offered her "warmest congratulations" on the news, which provided a bit of relief from concerns about the stalled Brexit negotiations. "Wishing them all the best," May tweeted.
The couple's current tour coincides with Invictus Games, which start in Sydney on Saturday. The sporting event, founded by Harry in 2014, gives sick and injured military personnel and veterans the opportunity to compete in sports such as wheelchair basketball. Harry and Meghan will attend the games' opening and closing ceremonies.
'19 Kiss tour may reunite members
It won't be all night, but former members of Kiss might get the chance to rock 'n' roll with the band one last time. Kiss frontman Paul Stanley says the band's (second) farewell tour could include former members performing onstage. In an interview in Atlantic City where he was promoting his artwork, Stanley said the band's "End of the Road" world tour starting next year could include appearances by former members. He did not single out anyone by name, but living ex-members are guitarists Ace Frehley, Vinnie Vincent and Bruce Kulick and drummer Peter Criss. Since the tour was announced last month, Kiss fans have been clamoring for a farewell that includes former members. "I learned long ago to never say never," Stanley said. "Would I negate the possibility of former members making appearances? Absolutely not. I don't know in what capacity."
APOLOGY SOUGHT: Four contestants in this year's Mrs. America pageant are calling for an apology from the pageant's owner over accusations he used racial slurs and stereotypes in a conversation. The four women, three African-American and one white, spoke at a news conference Monday in Manhattan with lawyer Gloria Allred. They accuse David Marmel of using the racially biased language at a pageant event in August in Las Vegas. They says at a pre-competition party, Marmel told them that black men are in jail and black women need to stop having so many babies with multiple fathers. Shawn Marshall, vice president at the Mrs. America organization, vehemently denied the accusations against Marmel. He said Marmel was relaying his experiences to the women, and used no language that should have been interpreted as offensive.
Associated Press
