Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Style at Large
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    The ultimate daily digest for women of power, purpose, and style.


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Nordstrom's Sale
    • Sarah Sherman Samuel
    • Hopeful Books
    • Nice Talk
    • Airport Dressing
    1. Celebrity
    2. Royals

    What Will Meghan Markle Do on Maternity Leave? Here's What We Know

    The countdown to the royal baby is ON.

    Katherine J. Igoe's avatar
    By Katherine J. Igoe
    Published 22 February 2019 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Face, Hair, Skin, Eyebrow, Facial expression, Lip, Nose, Beauty, Forehead, Chin,
    (Image credit: Getty images)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    The countdown to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's new baby is ON, y'all, and I could not be more excited. While Meghan celebrates with her family with not one but TWO showers, the question now is: What will Meghan, who is often busily hustling and bustling to various royal engagements, do when she gets to take a quieter pace after she gives birth and goes on maternity leave?

    Well, HELLO! is here to bring us at least some of the details. Meghan's mom, Doria Ragland, is rumored to be flying in to help Meghan take care of the baby. Prince Harry, devoted dad that he is likely to be, will also be there, but "[will] be traveling back and forth to London where his office is still based." Meghan's BFF and stylist Jessica Mulroney has already visited London several times, so it's expected that she'll make a trip ASAP to visit the new addition.

    It's not clear how long Meghan will take for her first maternity leave, or if Harry will join her for paternity leave (or for how long, if he does). Kate Middleton's maternity leave differed with each of her three children, and because the royals' work is flexible, they may change their plans once the baby comes in the spring.

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    But given that Frogmore Cottage is STILL under construction, and Meghan is apparently 7-plus months pregnant (according to her, George Clooney, and Kensington Palace—I didn't make that number up!), there is a good chance that there will still need to be some home decor updates after Meghan's due date and into the first few weeks and months with the new baby.

    Also an adjustment for Meghan will be the relative privacy and quietude of Frogmore Cottage and the surrounding area. Meghan has, for the most part, lived in bustling cities of late (you KNOW Kensington Palace has to be busy 24/7, also), and this will be a lot quieter. HELLO! adds, "Harry and Meghan will have plenty of privacy as Frogmore Cottage is located in the Home Park, which is off limits to the public. This means they can enjoy country walks, with Meghan able to push her buggy around the park without being snapped by photographers or members of the public."

    You may like
    • Meghan Markle, in a cream dress, looking down and talking to Queen Elizabeth, wearing a green dress Queen Elizabeth Once Suggested the Help of a Family Mentor for Meghan Markle
    • Meghan Markle holding Prince Harry's arm wearing LA Dodgers hats Meghan Markle “Is Taking One for the Team” For Prince Harry By Moving to Britain
    • Meghan Markle wears a burgundy coat with a matching polo neck and has scraped back hair, while husband Prince Harry has red hair and wears a suit How Meghan Markle Prioritized "The Most Important Thing"

    Kate Middleton ALSO takes Prince Louis out for walks outside, so maybe the two duchesses can take baby walks together? (I would love this.)

    Former royal chef Darren McGrady, who used to live next door to Frogmore, spilled some more details about the real estate to HELLO!:

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    The ultimate daily digest for women of power, purpose, and style.

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    So, a visit to see the cows? Yes!

    Coast, Vacation, Tourism, Walking, Sea, Fun, Beach, Photography, Honeymoon, Road,

    (Image credit: Chris Jackson)

    McGrady added:

    "From the front lawn of Frogmore Cottage, you can sit and look across at the Royal Household Cricket Club and listen to the wood on willow on a Sunday. Then you can sit in the back garden and look out onto Frogmore Gardens which is where Harry and Meghan had their evening wedding reception. And then Sunday afternoon is perfect. You just walk five minutes up the hill for afternoon tea with Granny, with the Queen, at Windsor Castle."

    So it's going to be a relaxing, fun-filled first few months, by the sound of it.

    For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.

    SUBSCRIBE HERE

    RELATED STORIES

    marie claire logo

    (Image credit: Marie Claire)

    Meghan and Harry's Baby Nursery Wish List 

    Photograph, Shoulder, Beauty, Light, Flash photography, Standing, Lighting, Photo shoot, Photography, Fashion,

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Meghan Markle on the Sex of the Royal Baby

    Explore More
    Frogmore Meghan Markle Prince Harry
    Katherine J. Igoe
    Katherine J. Igoe
    Social Links Navigation
    Contributing Editor

    Katherine’s a contributing syndications editor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle. In her role, she writes stories that are syndicated by MSN and other outlets. She’s been a full-time freelancer for over a decade and has had roles with Cosmopolitan (where she covered lifestyle, culture, and fashion SEO content) and Bustle (where she was their movies and culture writer). She has bylines in New York Times, Parents, InStyle, Refinery29, and elsewhere. Her work has also been syndicated by ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, and Women’s Health, among others. In addition to her stories reaching millions of readers, content she's written and edited has qualified for a Bell Ringer Award and received a Communicator Award. 

    Katherine has a BA in English and art history from the University of Notre Dame and an MA in art business from the Sotheby's Institute of Art (with a focus on marketing/communications). She covers a wide breadth of topics: she's written about how to find the very best petite jeans, how sustainable travel has found its footing on Instagram, and what it's like to be a professional advice-giver in the modern world. Her personal essays have run the gamut from learning to dress as a queer woman to navigating food allergies as a mom. She also has deep knowledge of SEO/EATT, affiliate revenue, commerce, and social media; she regularly edits the work of other writers. She speaks at writing-related events and podcasts about freelancing and journalism, mentors students and other new writers, and consults on coursework. Currently, Katherine lives in Boston with her husband and two kids, and you can follow her on Instagram. If you're wondering about her last name, it’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.

    Read more
    Meghan Markle, in a cream dress, looking down and talking to Queen Elizabeth, wearing a green dress
    Royals Queen Elizabeth Once Suggested the Help of a Family Mentor for Meghan Markle
    By Kristin Contino
    Meghan Markle wears a burgundy coat with a matching polo neck and has scraped back hair, while husband Prince Harry has red hair and wears a suit
    Royals How Meghan Markle Prioritized "The Most Important Thing"
    By Amy Mackelden
     
     
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wearing sunglasses and blue shirts walking outside
    Royals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Busy Planning a California Christmas
    By Kristin Contino
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle smiling and waving in Nottingham
    Royals Prince Harry and Meghan's Holiday Plans Might Include a British Christmas
    By Kristin Contino
     
     
    Latest in Royals
    Marius Borg Hoiby wearing a black suit and tie
    Royals Queen Mette-Marit's Son Marius Borg Høiby Attacked at Royal Palace
    Princess Kate wearing a black coat and hat and a poppy pin
    Royals Jewelry Expert Weighs in on Kate and Camilla's Remembrance Sunday Jewelry
     
     
    Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales (R) walk with their 13-year-old son, Prince George of Wales (C), as he arrives for his first day at Eton College on September 8, 2026
    Royals Prince George Might Be Forced to Deal With a "Bad Idea" at Eton
    SANDRINGHAM, NORFOLK - DECEMBER 25: Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
    Royals Why George, Charlotte, and Louis Skipped Remembrance Sunday
     
     
    Latest in News
    A couple (Rob and Michaella) is seen kissing through an open circular partition, during their reveal on 'Love Is Blind' season 11.
    TV shows Here's Where Next Divisive Season of 'Love Is Blind' May Take Place
    Zoë Kravitz's Adidas Samba Sneakers are discounted for an early Black Friday Sale
    Celebrity Style Zoë Kravitz's Adidas Sneakers Are Nordstrom's Best Black Friday Sale (So Far)
     
     
    Sara Holzman styling celebrity-approved sweater styling tricks for The A-List Edit
    Celebrity Style 3 Styling Tricks That Make My Boring Sweaters Feel Brand New
    Marius Borg Hoiby wearing a black suit and tie
    Royals Queen Mette-Marit's Son Marius Borg Høiby Attacked at Royal Palace
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.