CANBERRA, Australia (AP) -- Prince Harry and his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, are expecting their first child in the spring, Kensington Palace said Monday.
The announcement came hours after Harry and the former Meghan Markle 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.
"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 in a statement.
After their arrival in Sydney, the prince and the former American actress held hands and walked out an airport rear entrance and into a car. Meghan, wearing skinny black pants and a black, burgundy trimmed coat, was smiling and clutching folders, while Harry gave a thumbs up to bystanders.
The announcement of the pregnancy confirms weeks of speculation from royal watchers about why Meghan was not joining Harry on his Sydney Harbour Bridge climb set for Friday.
Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37 -- along with Prince William and his wife, Kate, the duchess of Cambridge -- have stepped to the fore in the last year as Queen Elizabeth II, 92, slightly reduces her public schedule.
In this image made from video, Britain's Prince Harry, center right, and his wife Meghan Markle, left, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, approach a car at an airport in Sydney, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018.
Monday's announcement is welcome news in Britain, where Meghan has won many hearts since her engagement to Harry was announced last December.
The baby would be seventh in line for the British throne.
The royal couple started dating in July 2016 after they were introduced by friends, and Harry courted Meghan on a trip to Africa shortly afterward. They kept their relationship secret for several months but word eventually leaked to the British press. They were married in May.
Markle's father is a Perry County, Pa., native.
Harry has become immensely popular in Britain, in part because of his military service and tireless work on behalf of wounded soldiers, and he has spoken often in recent years of his desire to settle down and start a family.