Meghan Markle May Be on Maternity Leave Already
Meghan Markle has always been known as particularly hardworking, and she's been hustling even more since becoming pregnant. Royal experts have been speculating that she wants to get as much as she can done before her maternity leave. But now, she may officially be taking it easy now: She has no more official royal engagements scheduled.


Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to . You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Listen. All the British royals work hard. The Queen completed 283 royal engagements in 2018 ALONE (opens in new tab). But Meghan Markle has always been known as particularly hardworking, and she's been hustling even more since becoming pregnant. Royal experts have been speculating that she wants to get as much as she can done before her maternity leave, particularly with those four official patronages she received in January (opens in new tab). But now, according to Vanity Fair, she may officially be taking it easy now: She has no more official royal engagements scheduled.
Buckingham Palace didn't confirm this, of course (they rarely make comments like that unless it's an official announcement, like the arrival of the baby), but they did say (opens in new tab) that Meghan "did not currently have any more official engagements scheduled, but will attend several private meetings."
I haven't heard anything else about Meghan's second baby shower, so if it's happened already it was kept majorly top secret. If it hasn't happened, she has at least one more engagement to look forward to before she's really, truly done—and maybe that's one of the "private" engagements she still has left on her schedule. Meghan's New York shower was an opportunity for her to interact with friends, and she looked like she had an absolute blast, so chances are the second shower will be similar.
A couple days ago, Meghan attended the 2019 Commonwealth Day service, in typically impressive high heels that she made look effortless. This might be the last official sighting we have of her.
I have to say: I expected Meghan Markle to be on leave loooooong before this day, so I am IMPRESSED. If reports are accurate, and she's due in late April, she's absolutely deserved the chance to sit back and actually take a break. Of course, I say this, and she will probably come out tomorrow in more fabulous four-inch heels, hustling along like it's no big thing.
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 (opens in new tab)
RELATED STORIES

Katherine’s a Boston-based contributor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle—from “Clueless” to Everlane to news about Lizzo. She’s been a freelancer for 11 years and has had roles with Cosmopolitan and Bustle, with bylines in Parents, Seventeen, and elsewhere. It’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.
-
Don’t Expect Prince Harry’s Memoir to Be a Hit Job on the Royal Family, Royal Expert Says
It’ll probably be less of an attack on the monarchy and more of a chance to elevate his own profile.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
The Queen “Let Her Guard Down” When Welcoming Kate Middleton into the Fold
This is really thoughtful.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Meghan Markle Once Revealed Her Secret to Happiness
We sure do miss The Tig.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Prince Harry Thought Diana's Family Would See Similarities Between Her and Meghan, But They Didn't: Tom Bower
They even warned him against marrying her, apparently.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
The Sussexes Got Into a "Monumental Argument" Over This Royal Snub, Apparently
Oof.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince William and Camilla's Daughter Had "Terrible Fights" Over Their Parents' Relationship, Reportedly
It can't have been easy.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Thomas Markle Used Tom Bower's Book to Change the "Narrative" Around Meghan, Royal Expert Claims
Thomas and Meghan no longer have a relationship that we know of.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Weren't Invited to Balmoral With the Queen After All, Sources Say
Well, which is it?
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince George Got the Sweetest Royal Tribute as He Turned 9
The Queen shared the lovely moment on Twitter.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Meghan Markle Is a Reassuring Presence for Prince Harry, Body Language Expert Says
He seemed very nervous ahead of his U.N. speech.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie Are "Struggling to Remain Cordial" With the Cambridges, Reportedly
The rift involves Prince Andrew.
By Iris Goldsztajn