Why Meghan Markle's Due Date Has People Talking

Not everyone agrees with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to speak out about the downside of royal life and share their mental health issues. But even the most anti-Sussex factions can at least agree that the upcoming birth of their new daughter is something to celebrate. The royal couple announced back in February that they were expecting their second child, a sibling for 2-year-old Archie. It was doubly good news in light of Meghan's miscarriage back in July 2020 (via The Guardian). She shared her experience several months later to help remove the stigma associated with pregnancy loss.

Although the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have said only that the baby is due in the summer, sources tell The Sun that the due date is not only coming up fast, it's also a very meaningful one. Insiders reveal that the baby should be arriving on Thursday, June 10 — which also happens to be the late Prince Philip's birthday. The Duke of Edinburgh would have turned 100 this year, an occasion that would surely have been marked with love and congratulations from all his family. The queen's annual Trooping the Colour birthday parade will be held on June 12, marking the first year that Queen Elizabeth II will attend without her devoted husband at her side.

With this in mind, royals experts are predicting that Harry and Meghan will definitely find a way to honor his grandfather's memory when their daughter arrives. 

The British wagering site Ladbrokes says the odds-on favorite name for the Mountbatten-Windsor baby is Philippa, which would be an appropriate nod to her great-grandfather's memory. But The Sun also quotes sources saying that the Sussexes might go with a shortened version of the name. One insider said, "The baby is due on Philip's birthday and it would be so special if she came then. That, and naming her Pip, would be a lovely way to pay tribute to Philip."

Another name reportedly on the short list is Lily, after the queen's childhood nickname of "Lilibet." With the queen's Platinum Jubilee coming up next year — celebrating what will be her 70th year on the throne — this choice could be considered a peace offering from Harry. Although he angered his family with his remarks about feeling ignored during his personal struggles, he still holds great affection for his Granny. Another royal expert has said that Harry and Meghan will be holding a Zoom meeting with the queen as soon as possible after the baby is born.

If the new royal daughter does arrive on schedule, she'll also be just 10 days ahead of Father's Day. In both the U.S. and the U.K., the day honoring dads always falls on the third Sunday in June (via iNews UK).