It didn’t occur to me until just now that the Duchess of Sussex probably won’t get to fly anywhere or travel any big distance for the next nine months or so. She’s well into her pregnancy, and she’s likely being advised against air travel for the remainder of her pregnancy. Then after she gives birth – probably in early spring, my guess is late March – she’ll just want to nest and be at home with the Polo Baby. Meghan has already let it be known that she plans to work well into her pregnancy, and she’s apparently already telling people that she plans to take less than six months maternity leave too. So it makes sense that Meghan and Harry are already booking another overseas tour for next fall:
As 2018 draws to a close, Meghan Markle can step back and reflect on a monumental year—and she’s already preparing to make 2019 even bigger. While she and Prince Harry prepare to welcome their first baby in the spring, the Duchess of Sussex has asked aides to fill her diary “right up to her due date” because she feels “fit and well and wants to continue working as long as possible,” according to one source.
The former actress, whose admirable work ethic has not gone unnoticed by the Queen, is planning to take a short maternity leave by royal standards—less than six months—and returning in time for an autumn tour of the U.S. and Canada, which courtiers are said to be in the early stages of planning. The precise timing depends on her actual due date, which remains a closely guarded secret. Meghan and Harry had planned to visit her homeland and the country where she filmed Suits in early 2019, but the trip was postponed because of the pregnancy. Sources close to Meghan say she and Harry are now keen to visit the U.S. and Canada as a family.
Oh, that will go over so well in Canada and the US, if their first overseas trip with the Polo Baby is here in North America. We’ll love it! I’m imaging a cute little Polo Baby in a maple-leaf t-shirt and then Meghan taking Harry and the baby to see her old stomping grounds in LA. Good times.
Also: I wonder if Meghan and Harry will slip away somewhere for a “babymoon” early next year. I bet they do, but I bet they go somewhere close-by.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid.
Well, I’m unreasonably looking forward to that tour! These two are just so much fun to watch (and I hope she gets a good stylist this time – I know the stylist friend who accompanied them to the Antipodes is a real me, but I don’t think she’s very good). So excited and it has zilch to do with me!
You really wanna turn up in the US just before the 2020 elections…yikes. Last place I wanna be and I live here lol. Their baby is going to be adorable…maybe even a ginger!
Fall 2019 is an entire year before the 2020 election. It would be silly for them to avoid the trip because an election is a year away.
Election cycles go on forever in the US. There is an extensive primary season spanning the whole of the country, then the party nominees campaign extensively and debate. Fall 2019 would unfortunately put them in the midst of what is sure to be a contentious time.
Do you actually know what you’re talking about? The first primaries won’t even happen until 2020.
If you live in the US, there are already people talking about the 2020 election and 2018 isn’t over yet. We really drag out our elections and it’s so overboard to me. I wish we had short election periods like other countries.
I do know what I’m talking about, thanks. The Iowa caucas happens around February 2020, but before that even happens, candidates from both parties duke it out. Even now, we have people tossing their hats into the ring and making the rounds, and 2018 isn’t over.
Maybe Meg will do a photo op with Kamala! (Joking, obviously, but 2019 holds some hope for laying the foundation to a brighter future.)
Dear lord, I hope they stick to the west coast of the US so there is no expectation they will meet with Trump. Can you imagine Trump tweeting about meeting them?
Canada will have a federal election in October 2019, so expect Canadian politicians (one in particular) to trip over themselves for photo-ops with the Sussexes.
As long as the Sussexes don’t go anywhere near Iowa or New Hampshire, chances are pretty low they would run into any possible presidential candidates that early in the election cycle.
Me too! I know I’ll begrudge meetings and work if I’m missing events as they happen.
Meh the article is from the Middleton mouthpiece so who knows if it will be next year or the year after.
I don’t know, I just feel like it will be the Spring of 2020 instead when the baby is 1 years old and then Invictus in The Hague, we’ll see them again.
That crashing sound you hear is Thomas Markle tripping over furniture to reach his phone. He has to call Piers Morgan or one of the tabloids and arrange an interview. TM must tell the world how he is “demanding” that Meghan visit him and brings his grandchild.
Thanks RBC, I just snorted coffee through my nose I laughed so hard!!
That giggling sound is me laughing at your comment lol
And by furniture you mean an Ikea futon and a mini fridge.
If the man can keep his mouth shut, stay away from the tabloids and quit trying to manipulating his daughter… he MIGHT have a chance of seeing her and the baby next year. I doubt he possesses that kind of willpower, though.
This sounds great. Meghan deserves some much needed US love after this U.K. year of exasperating press.
Canadian love too!!!
She gets a lot of good press. You cannot really rely on dm and the sun aka the sin for the truth. Homophobic racist sexist aholes sold their souls, but most Brits feel neutral. As for the tour, isn’t it early? She could be pregnant again by then? They will have a baby, she’ll have to slow down.
The tour is in fall 19… She is having the baby in probably Feb or March. You seriously expect her to be pregnant again before the baby is 6 months old??? lol
I have no idea, but my point is simple: isn’t it too early for the news to be confirmed? I was just naming one possibility, apart from the fact they’ll be parents of a tiny baby for the first time.
Canada I can see, as a Commonwealth nation, but why would they come to the US as part of their official tour? I’m an American and would go see them if they came anywhere near me, but I don’t think the optics of coming to the US would be good. Because what would be the purpose of touring the US and how does it fit in with their Commonwealth role or list of charities? A much better idea would be to combine Canada with the Caribbean Commonwealth nations…revisit all those places Harry visited before the engagement.
I think it looked stupid and made up when William and Kate came to the US since it seemed clear their whole intention was just to be able to hobnob with celebrities and it’s clear that Meghan is already not getting any benefit of the doubt or curtesy or easing in time by the media, so they would just continue ripping her to shreds. Not that they should plan their tour around the racist British media, but I would hope – if they do come to the US – that the purpose is really clear and doesn’t just seem like a way for them to see Doria or something.
But, as to touring Canada (and Caribbean CW countries), hopefully that’s true and hopefully they’d get a huge reception like they did for the pacific tour.
Just guessing here.. But they may be visiting the US being the Duchess is American and from the US? Makes sense to me. A load of sense if we’re are going to compare it to WK visit. I do agree with you last point- going to the Caribbean Commonwealth nations.
I totally get the American connection for Meghan, and as I said, I’m American and love them and would go see them if they visit near me…I just don’t understand what the reason for a tour to the US would be, especially with their roles being defined as Commonwealth related. And don’t the royals have to be invited by the governments of visited countries? I can’t imagine they would want to visit on behalf of that orange criminal in the WH because you just know he would want an appearance with them.
Harry was last here for Invictus, right? And W&K came for BAFTA so I’m just curious what the connection would be for a tour next year. I don’t think her being American would be enough of a reason for a state sponsored/funded tour. But I guess I’ll just have to wait and see if they do come to visit.
It depends on the schedule they’re drawing up. A lot of European royals travel to the US or unrelated countries around the world as a way to advance or promote some particular joint endeavour. If H&M do come to the US, it probably won’t be for more than a few days, and it will be for some very specific events that promote the interests of both the US and the UK, as opposed to a Commonwealth tour, which is usually just on the basis of shared history.
RoyalWatcher- If you’ll recall, she was given the patronage for the retirement home for British entertainers just recently. As we have our own entertainment retirement home here in L.A. (run by the Motion Picture Association, I believe), I can see the trip being tied in with that patronage somehow. Wouldn’t be surprised if there weren’t a few British folks who made their careers out here residing there.
I’d say probably for the same reason they’ve been sending W&K on European mini-tours. The UK is desperately trying to reclaim the soft power they used to have, and maintain relationships with both Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth trading partners. They need to shore up goodwill for Brexit and post-Brexit trade deals. I don’t know if this is the most effective strategy, but I guess they need to try everything at this point.
William and Kate came to the US on tour too. It makes more sense for Meghan to do it though, considering she actually is an American.
All the other royals have officially toured the US. I just hope the come down south near me!
I assume it’s mostly to do with Brexit diplomacy. They’ve been deploying the royals to shore up goodwill with diplomatic partners before Brexit. I assume it’s also a little to do with Meghan being American.
This soft diplomacy thing is ridiculous because nobody in Europe take the royals and what they represent seriously. They are gossip fodder.
Nope, you are wrong. Soft diplomacy is one thing the Royals are actually good at. They are good gossip fodder for gossipist’s lol but people in power do respect them.
As Meghan is American the tour of US makes sense; probably Toronto while in Canada too so they can visit a little bit of her history.
The Canadian part is paid for by Canada, but the US part would be GB right? Because not part of commonwealth? I remember how much clap back there was for the LA stop after the first Cambridge CAN tour and the cost to taxpayers. I wish they’d announce next year, because I can’t take another weekend of how the Sussexes are doing another thing that gets people upset- granted I’m sure they’d find a reason any way: Mean Megan makes the Ghost in Palace Cry?
I’m Canadian and I don’t really want to be paying for yet another useless Royal Visit…..I don’t care which Royals
Agreed! I’m not usually a “NOT MY TAX DOLLARS” type of person, but paying for a royal visit really is a huge waste of Canadian tax dollars. Let’s put that money into health care or education instead.
exactly! these visits cost us millions of dollars and we don’t get much in return so I’d be pretty happy if the Royals stopped honoring us with their visits and we could use those millions for other, more important things.
Absolutely!!! I’m in Canada too and If they want to pay for it themselves, fine, but not with our tax dollars. Tired of funding royals’ “vacations”.
I as well am sick of funding the Governor General and herds of her minions and fart catchers every time a royal comes to town. It is pretty much a symbolic position but they live a very lavish lifestyle. Julie Payette, our current GG, is a pretty cool person – she is multi-lingual, has an amazing background in science and technology and was an astronaut – so at least you’re not dealing with someone like Adrienne Clarkson who is still billing the GG’s office for $100K a year in expenses. She is an incredible snob whose only claim to fame is being one of Canada’s first top female journalists.
Same.
Same
Agree. We just had a recent one with WK and the kids in – what was it 2016 or something and I think no one really is up for another royal visit at the moment. We do too many of them anyway and I was annoyed then as well, but hey whatever. I also question this story because the Canadian government has to officially invite them in order for it to be taxpayer funded, but I haven’t heard anything in the news regarding this. It sounds like the palace is requesting it, which would mean the UK would have to pay for it. With the current political climate right now in Canada regarding NAFTA, pipelines, etc. I am just not up for it and I am huge Meghan fan. Also fall 2019 coincides with the upcoming federal election – the timing could not be worse.
Just to quote everyone else. SAME. Canada does not need to waste money on this nonsense.
Oooh if they come to LA, I’ll make sure to go visit them!! Love these two!! I remember when Will and Kate were here…luckily it didn’t cause too much traffic. President visits are worse, I think (traffic wise)
Ha! Only an Angeleno would worry about traffic a year in advance of a trip (that might not even include LA). I completely understand.
LOL I TOTALLY understand!! My first apartment was across the street from the LA Four Seasons Hotel, and when Clinton came into town and stayed there, the Secret Service cars took up ALL the parking on BOTH sides of the street, and at certain times we couldn’t enter/exit our building (ie: the cars were entering/exiting the hotel in formation). Traffic would be held up police in advance of arrivals or departures, you’d hear them on walkie talkies… it was a damned nusiance!
When Obama would come to town, he usually arrived between 4 and 5 pm and omg… rush hour traffic which is a nightmare to begin with, would make it into a Steven King movie! lol
So yeah, a visit would make us here think of the tie ups, but damn, it’d be worth it for THEIR visit. I’ll go with you, Poppy!!
Looking forward to seeing them and where they go and the clothes.
Can’t understand the Americans who are hating on her. She earned it and good on her. And she works “to earn her keep”. What a novel idea.
How can someone earn a marriage?
How can someone earn the right to live off of tax dollars for the rest of their life?
Bee, she “earned” her fame and where she is. She wasnt placed there due to birth or string pulling. She hustled and worked and PH noticed her.
And if she is living off taxpayer pound, then she needs to work for it. They all do. No entitlement and no free rides – reguardless of class and/or country. Too whom much is given, much is expected.
There is no “if” about it, they all live off our money lol!
Looking forward to it.
I thoroughly enjoyed the year’s mat leave w my babies.
I hope she reconsiders. I too thought I’d only take 6 months, but you never know how you’ll feel once baby is born. The first years are so special and important in a baby’s development.
Anyway, to each his own.
-N
The difference with the Duchess, her baby can be with expect the hours, she is at an engagement.
Her job isn’t a regular 9 to 5. She can still work and be engaged in her baby’s daily life. And they will be taking the baby with them on the tour. Back in the day they left the babies behind. The Queen did as well as Diana who was an emotional wreck and didnt want to leave William behind.
Diana didn’t leave William behind. She and Charles took him to Australia and New Zealand when he was 9 months old.
I’m excited about this! I can’t wait for the photos. But yes, you know Samantha and Thomas will try to pop up wherever they are. Hopefully they have good security. Do you think they’d go to DC? They might be obligated to meet with the president and that would be…awkward.
Thomas Markle will be already buying poster board and magic markers so that he can picket their tour events with a sign saying “let me visit the baby or I shall demand custody of it”
I had a feeling that Meg’s work ethic would make the Cambridges look bad. Meghan is used to working long hours, everyday on a set for months at a time before she gets a break and Kate wasn’t like that. We always get excuses for why Kate and William can’t work, and a lot of it has relied on not having a recent comparable. Well, now we have the Sussex and in context the Cambridges work ethic appears even worse than what everyone has been saying since their wedding. I think a lot of these storylines of Meghan bullying Kate and how awful Meghan is are coming from William’s press team because its not a good look that she has already done a number of public charity appearances as a pregnant newlywed.
Well,the lazy Cambridge brother’s numbers are higher than his hard-working brother’s numbers,and that’s not even work.
What hard work is Meghan doing,exactly? Is a royal tour,which is a waste of taxpayers’ money,a display of work ethic?
Why we don’t wait two years or so before hyping this great work ethic? And I wouldn’t associate the words hard working and work ethic to the these persons in general. It’s offensive for those who actually work.
We can compare Kate’s first year to Meghan’s, for example.
Meghan’s first year numbers are triple Kate’s first year numbers so yeah Kate is lazy. She clearly picked up the pace but it took her years to finally get over 100 events a year. Meghan will hit that easily in her first year. And Harry’s numbers when they finally started counting his Invictus and Senteble work was higher than William’s for years. Just because William and Kate finally gets off their lazy asses for 1 year, doesn’t mean they aren’t lazy. If the Cambridges manage to outwork the Sussexes for a few years we’ll consider it.
Meghan is already over 100 to Kate’s 34 in the first year.
@bluthfan, why are you persisting with this? I’m not even a Kate fan, but I am a facts fan. She did 111 engagements in 2012. Tim O’Donovan reported it on 1 January 2013 in the Times, as he does every year, and it was picked up by other media, including the Telegraph. She then slacked off and didn’t do over 100 engagements again for years, but it didn’t take her “years to finally get over 100 events per year.”
I love the line about Meghan’s work ethic even impressing the Queen. These stories man. One day her work ethic is about to bring down the entire BRF, and the next its impressive.
Anyway, hope this tour happens!!!!
I think her work ethic would impress the Queen, Charles, and Anne. Meghan is no fluff princess.
I truly believe the queen is impressed by Meghan and her positive attitude toward work and her initiative. I think this is why Charles has taken to her, because she is very proactive, as he has been, too. I think the only people who don’t like Meghan are the fusty old fogies in the palace who have latent (or not so latent) prejudices, and those from the Cambridge camp who realize Meghan is making Kate look bad. But I think the firm itself realizes Meghan is a great asset.
Fantastic! The tour will be a huge success, M & H will do great, and certain people in the palace will wet themselves.
this is likely a honeymoon baby if it’s due in late march.
federal elections are in the fall of 2019 in canada, so i don’t know how that will work.
Yup, Sussex baby will be here next March, not April.
This may be right in the middle of Federal election campaign, which could be weird. Also, no. I see no point in paying for them.
@Helen and mazzie, do you think that Canadian politicians would avoid being photographed with them in that case? Would Trudeau leave the meet and greets to the Governor General?
i haven’t a clue, don’t know if this type of thing has happened in my lifetime before, but i can imagine politicians bringing it up during campaigning and using the visit as a cudgel to the opposing party, for whatever reason.
it could be seen as favoring trudeau, since they’re friendly with them. it could be brought up regarding how tax dollars are spent, ignite talks of a republic, etc. who knows. i’d imagine it’s similar to reason ex: trudeau did not attend wedding.
@Tina, Trudeau would probably greet them mostly because previous PMs have done so and it may come across as rude to not do so when the Sussexes are here. And the Conservatives could try using it as a cudgel but let’s not forget that Harper was ALL over the royals when they visited.
Also, I don’t think we have the desire to discuss becoming a republic. This is not statistical data but I suspect most of us are meh to the monarchy but aren’t that interested in changing it because we see what happens down south. We have the lesser of two evils.
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2018/11/05/the-monarchy-is-irrelevant-in-canada-and-we-can-be-grateful-for-that.html
I don’t know about that. I think that not enough people understand it or know that it’s possible to get out of the ridiculous and wasteful commonwealth. If it was actually talked about nationally and proposed I think quite a few people would be onboard, especially the younger generations.
I personally would love becoming a republic. LOVE IT.
@Scotchy. 50-50 split. http://royalcentral.co.uk/uk/thequeen/canada-without-a-sovereign-over-half-of-canadians-dont-want-a-monarchy-84382
What most Canadians fail to understand is the impact getting rid of the monarchy would have on First Nations and indigenous communities across Canada.
Most of their treaties are not with the Canadian government. They are with the Crown as a legal entity.
If we were to get rid of the monarchy, the status of those treaties would be in a limbo. They would likely have to be renegotiated, and it’s a process that would probably take a great deal of time and money, far more money than what we’re paying for the monarchy in the short term.
The conservative voter base is more pro monarchy than any other party so Andy is going to want to meet with them too. The only party leader who might not bother is Jasmeet head of the NDP. That said I don’t think a visit from any royal is going to impact the election in any real way.
Oh Trudeau would definitely want his picture taken with them. He loves having his picture taken. It’s the only thing he’s good at. Can not stand him!
agreed Tori, agreed!!!
Tori I agree absolutely with all you said
^ I had to comment as you stated exactly what I wanted to say!
LOL! Hysterical! Trudeau will be there with bells on, we can count on it.
Thanks everyone! It’s quite an interesting scenario, politically.
Trudeau and Harry have been pictured together many times. Plus, Meghan was already friends with his wife through the social connections she made through Jess Mulroney.
It’s a good idea but sometimes a good idea should stay that. Visit the other commonwealth places first. I feel like even in 2019 and 2020 it’s too soon for a US visit.
This is another tour that will be a big success, esp as she’s an American who lived in Canada – it will blow the bland and awkward Cambridge tours out of the water, esp in terms of crowd sizes and media coverage. I hope the American tour includes a stay in LA – Katie Keen will have a fit of the vapours esp as Meghan visited a care home for former entertainment workers. Its interesting that its related to the Royal Variety Charity – a charity that TQ has been patron of for many years. Me thinks Megs is being lined up to take this one over from HM. Am sure they’d get more attention from her than BAFTA does from W&K.
The Canada part of the Cambridge tour was a huge success with massive crowds, even in the sparsely populated north and on the island.
They went to Canada twice, I think the 2nd visit wasn’t as well turned out, even thou they had George with them.
Yes, I was referring to their honeymoon visit. I actually forgot they toured a second time.
They had George and Charlotte in 2016 but it wasn’t as popular of a tour.
Kate and William stayed in LA, so I assume they will too. Although, I doubt M&H will receive the same type of criticism W&K received for the LA-California portion of their tour!
My husband will personally buy the gorgeous little Polo baby that Maple Leafs T-shirt. 🙂
You know how much I’d just love it if we saw her wearing her baby in a wrap?! Omg that would be so amazing!! Like wear that baby and get to work. Need to nurse? Pull out that boob and normalize it.
It won’t happen but it would be epic for feminism and mommyhood in general.
That would be amazing. Or even her attending events with baby like many moms do in the beginning.
It would be amazing, but you just know the naysayers would insist that she only brought her baby along for the “attention” etc. etc. etc. God forbid what they’d say if she were to breastfeed publicly, given the way so many of them carried on and on about her putting her hand on her pregnant belly lmao.
I think the FBI and the Secret Service will pay the Markles a visit and inform them if they make unplanned visits and cause a problem while the Sussexes are on tour they will be arrested.
Why shouldn’t they visit? My mother actually met Queen Elizabeth once, at a reception at the Drake Hotel in Chicago. My mom was still in college then, but she remembers it to this day. So I know are many Americans who would be thrilled to meet a royal, and since Meghan in American herself, it makes sense for her to visit her home country with her new family.
I echo many of the other Canadians on here saying “no thanks” to paying for this.
Any chance they could tour th UK?
They have. They did Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland – twice and multiple locations in Britain. They also continue to do events throughout the U.K. All year.
The NI tour was their only official tour. They visited other places here but they were 1-day visits/engagements.
I meant with the new baby – Kate and Wills haven’t taken their children to Scotland Ireland or Wales as far as I am aware.
This van backfire,if it’s true. For me they’re just gossip fodder,but thise British people who believe their role should be about being devoted to “public service”,may not like another expensive tour a year later. The best way to ingratiate those who actually pay for their lifestyle,and allow them to be where they’re,is doing the everyday “royal work” they’re supposed to do,instead of constantly aiming for the splashy publicity.
Royal tours are an incredible waste of taxpayers’ money and they are essentially useless PR excersises.
Their tour was already longer that what it needed to be. It doesn’t matter if they do one of ten “engagements”. Most of these activities are just silly pr stunts to give cute photo-ops to the press,and see Kate’s and Meghan’s changing their designer clothes three times a day,even to be photographed at the airport. It’s ridiculous.
For the roles these two have,a long and expensive royal tour every year is absurd. The US make even less sense.
Excellent comment…they need to concentrate on doing their royal duties in th UK.
Their tour was one week shorter than W&K’s, but Harry and Meghan did far more engagements on their tour.
I looked it up – Kate and William – Monday 7 April to Friday 25 April. Meghan and Harry were there from Oct 15 to the 31st. I agree with a lot of the engagements being very cute photo ops for both couples, especially with baby George there too.
Fortunately, I live in a country where at least 6 months maternity/paternity leave is expected of the parents. I don’t get this let’s have a baby and the moment we have it – get back to work attitude. To each their own – good for women to get out and work, but also good for babies to have their mom/dad the first years.
The Canadian election is next October.
Royal visits are not permitted during the writ, so if they do visit it would have to be June/July or after November.
I’m hoping for a reunion of Harry and Michelle Obama.
KatV, I agree with your sentiments – the decision is up to the mother, and every mother is different. But It’s unfortunate that many women on here are envious of the fact that so many mothers get to spend precious time at home during their children’s important first years or even longer if they wish. The comments on maternity leave are always horrifying.
Its nice if you have the choice – many women are “envious” because they don’t have a choice, they need to go back to work asa possible because they need the money even if they would love to stay at home with the kids.
It’s always so disheartening to hear public figures proclaim proudly that they won’t take all their parental leave entitlements, which were very hard won. I mean, it’s not as if the woman is the flipping president of New Zealand now, is it? I think the world would keep turning just fine if she took six YEARS maternity leave.
People will applaud her for her “work ethic” and whatnot but our mothers and grandmothers fought hard so we could have the “choice” of spending six months at home with our new babies. When we take up that entitlement, we honour their determination.
US maternity leave is frankly barbaric and while I realise Meaghan is never going to want for stellar childcare help, I really wish she wouldn’t (even inadvertently) promote the attitude that it’s “lazy” to take up all the leave you can get your hands on as a new parent
She looks so absolutely happy and serene. A role model to me for grace under pressure.