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A Half-British, Half-American Royal Baby on the Way

    By Caty Weaver
    15 October, 2018

    This is What's Trending Today...

    Another royal baby is on the way.

    Britain's Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan Markle are expecting a child. Kensington Palace tweeted the announcement Monday morning.

    It read: "Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019."

    Markle had been wearing looser clothing for several weeks. Then, on Friday, she wore a large coat to a royal wedding. Media reports quickly spread that she was possibly trying to hide signs of a pregnancy.

    FILE - In this file photo dated Wednesday Oct. 3, 2018, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Britain's Prince Harry, make an official visit to the Joff Youth Centre in Peacehaven, Britain. Kensington Palace announced Monday Oct. 15, 2018, that Prince Harry and
    FILE - In this file photo dated Wednesday Oct. 3, 2018, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Britain's Prince Harry, make an official visit to the Joff Youth Centre in Peacehaven, Britain. Kensington Palace announced Monday Oct. 15, 2018, that Prince Harry and

    The couple has been married almost five months. Their wedding ceremony last May in Windsor, England was a hugely popular televised event.

    The Duke and Dutchess are currently in Australia at the start of a 16-day trip that will also include visits to Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. The pregnancy news came out shortly after they landed in Sydney. It set off a series of congratulatory posts on social media sites.

    Many people are also guessing the sex of the baby, making lists of possible names and discussing the possibilities for its future in public service.

    Some guesses are funny. American journalist Greg Pollowitz posted that the child will be an American citizen and might run for president someday.

    He wrote, "Congratulations to Princess Meghan and Harry, and to the #RoyalBaby who will one day rule the Great American Empire."

    Another Twitter user posted that the baby will help,' Make America Great (Britain) Again."

    And that's What's Trending Today.

    I'm Caty Weaver.

    Caty Weaver wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

    Write to us in the Comments Section or on 51VOA.COM.

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    Words in This Story

    royal --adj. of or related to a king or a queen

    coat --n. a piece of outer clothing that can be either long or short that is worn to keep warm and dry

    wedding --n. a marriage ceremony

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