Meghan Markle and Prince Harry send Prince Louis touching Happy Birthday message as world waits for new royal baby news

PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have sent Prince Louis a touching birthday message - as the world waits for news of the couple's own baby.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex gushed they were "sending lots of love" to the littlest royal for his first birthday.

The couple, who are expecting their first child any day now, completed the sweet message with a "xo"; and a balloon and cake emoji.

And if Prince Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, welcome their baby today, he or she will share a birthday with cousin Prince Louis.

Bookies have already slashed the odds that the former American actress would go into labour today - with the odds currently sitting at 4/1.

To celebrate Prince Louis' birthday, Kensington Palace released sweet pictures of the birthday boy taken by mum Kate Middleton.

And grandpa Prince Charles, 70, together with wife Camilla were also keen to wish Prince Louis happy birthday.

Sharing a photo of the royal family together, Clarence House posted: "Happy Birthday to Prince Louis, who turns one today."

Happy birthday Louis! Sending lots of love from both of us

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

The birthday message comes despite rumours of a rift between the Duke and Duchesses of Cambridge and the Sussexes - heightened by Harry and Meghan releasing a series of stunning photos of wildlife taken by the prince the same day as William and Kate published the sweet snaps.

The dad-to-be’s snaps of endangered rhinos, orcas and elephants were released for Earth Day.

Royal author Phil Dampier said: “It starts to look like Harry and Meghan are in competition and are out to steal Louis’ thunder.

“It isn’t like Harry and Meghan didn’t know it was Louis's birthday. They have known since he was born last year!

“It is slightly clumsy news management and will do nothing but add to the narrative that splitting the two households of Cambridge and Sussex will lead to a conflict of interest."

And over the weekend, body language experts claimed Prince Harry was "desperate to avoid William"; at the Easter Church service.

BIG MOVE?

It's a big week for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their first baby expected to come any day now.

And a bombshell was dropped yesterday with suggesting that the couple were in talks to move to South Africa for four months.

The country is top of a shortlist of African nations where they are expected to create a home from as early as next year, The Sun revealed.

Another Commonwealth state, Botswana, is a close second.

A royal source said: “Harry and Meghan are very much engaged in these plans, although the move isn’t planned until next year or 2021.

"The idea is they will spend between three and four months every year based in an African country, where they would work and then use it as a base for travel."

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “Any future plans for the duke and duchess are speculative at this stage. No decisions have been taken about future roles.

Buckingham Palace announced that Meghan and Harry will keep the birth of their first-born private until they have had an opportunity to celebrate as a family.

In a statement, the palace said: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very grateful for the goodwill they have received from people throughout the United Kingdom and around the world as they prepare to welcome their baby.

"Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private.

"The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family."