Meghan Markle and Prince Harry hold hands just hours before revealing to the world that the Duchess is pregnant

MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry were spotted holding hands just hours before they revealed to the world they are expecting a baby.

The future parents strolled hand in hand through the gardens of Admiralty House after arriving in Sydney for their first overseas tour as a couple.

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It was a quiet moment for the couple just before it was revealed they are expecting to welcome a baby in spring next year.

Prince Harry seemed to be protective over pregnant Meghan, clutching her hand as they walked up the grassy hill.

The 34-year-old prince and Meghan, 37, had seemed refreshed and excited as they touched down in Australia overnight for the first leg of their tour Down Under.

Kensington Palace this morning confirmed Meghan was pregnant, saying: "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.

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"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 baby will be the seventh in line to the throne.

Speculation had reached fever pitch just hours before the announcement this morning as Meghan touched down in Australia clutching a number of purple folders to her stomach - apparently hiding her baby bump.

The news comes nearly five months to the day that they were married in a lavish ceremony at St George's Chapel in Windsor.

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Just last week rumours swirled that Meghan was pregnant after she appeared at Princess Eugenie's wedding wearing a long, loose-fitting coat.

It is thought Harry and Meghan told the Queen and the rest of the Royal family at Princess Eugenie's wedding on Friday.

This morning the pair held hands and smiled as they arrived in Australia, accompanied by a ten-man entourage for their first international tour as a couple.

The Duchess of Sussex looked fresh and excited for their tour as they were greeted by excited fans.

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Eagle-eyed fans were quick to speculate with Meghan's latest appearance - just days after similar rumours were sparked when the former American actress wore a loose-fitting coat to Princess Eugenie's wedding.

Meghan, who has never been to Australia before, beamed as she was ushered into a car with Prince Harry.

The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are said to be "delighted" for the couple.

Royal sources have suggested Meghan's mother Doria may move to London from the US to help the newlyweds with their new arrival.

A LOVE STORY: How the whirlwind romance of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle unfolded

July 2016: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry met through friends, becoming an item

November 2016: Prince Harry confirms the couple's relationship, condeming the "abuse" of his girlfriend

May 7 2017: The couple were snapped kissing in public for the first time

September 2017: Meghan Markle gave an insight into the couple's relationship, saying they were "two people who are really happy and in love"

November 27 2017: The couple's engagement was announced, with it revealed Prince Harry proposed over a roast chicken dinner

March 23 2018: On a trip to Belfast, Meghan jokes when shown baby products "I'm sure at some point we'll need the whole (lot)".

May 17: Drama around the wedding unfolds, with Meghan's father revealed to have been involved in staging paparazzi photos

May 19: The couple are married at St George's chapel, Windsor Castle and become the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

June 14: Meghan undertakes her first joint engagement with the Queen on a day trip to Cheshire, and body language experts say the pair got on famously

October 12: Harry and Meghan return to St George's Chapel for Princess Eugenie's wedding to Jack Brooksbank just five months after they pledged their love for one another in the same Windsor Castle venue.

October 15: The duke and duchess touch down in Australia ahead of their first royal tour as a married couple

October 15: The duke and duchess are "very pleased" that Meghan is expecting a baby in the spring of 2019, Kensington Palace announces.

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It is understood she was seen taking baby-care classes in Pasadena, California, with with a view to looking after her new grandchild.

It is understood Meghan does not want to hire staff or a nanny, and will instead depend on her mum.

However, Kensington Palace today refused to say whether Meghan's dad Thomas had been told about the baby news.

Kensington Palace said the Queen is “delighted” by the news.

The new royal baby will likely take the surname Sussex - similar to how Prince William's children, George, Charlotte and Louis have all taken Cambridge as their last name.

Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice have also previously used York as their surname - in recognition to their dad Prince Andrew's title as the Duke of York.

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In response to the royal baby news, Prime Minister Theresa May said: "My warmest congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the happy news they are expecting a baby in the spring. Wishing them all the best."

Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the UK, was among the first to respond to the royal baby, tweeting: "Happy news to wake up to on a Monday morning - congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex!!"

And Grant Harrold, a former butler to Charles, William and Harry, tweeted: "Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex who are expecting their first child in the spring."