Heavily pregnant Meghan Markle planning just three months of maternity leave after birth of royal baby
A royal source said: 'Meghan has made it very clear she wants to return to work as soon as possible'
HEAVILY pregnant Meghan plans to take just three months’ maternity leave after the arrival of baby Sussex.
The duchess, 37, who is due to give birth any day, has told aides she wants to get back to work quickly — shunning a possible year’s leave.
Meghan finished official royal duties six weeks ago but has continued to work behind the scenes with charities.
A royal source said: “Meghan has made it very clear she wants to return to work as soon as possible. She has huge amounts of energy, is extremely determined and wants to be as hands-on as possible with her charities.
“Nothing has been written into her diary just yet, as she wants to wait and see how she feels after having the baby.
“She’s pencilled in three months, but she’ll most likely return to public life in six weeks — on the Queen’s official birthday, Trooping the Colour, in June.
‘THREE MONTHS’ MATERNITY IS STANDARD’ FOR AMERICAN MUMS
“Three months’ maternity is standard in the US for American mums – they don’t normally get the six or even 12 months women get here in the UK. So this is totally normal for Meghan.”
Harry, 34, is also taking paternity leave but it is not known how much.
His sister-in-law Kate, 37, took six months off after Louis’ birth last year and five months with Charlotte in 2015.
But she took just five weeks off after the birth of her first child George in July 2013 – appearing at an ultra-marathon event in north Wales that August.
Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland arrived last week ahead of the birth of her first grandchild, with the two practising yoga together.
Yesterday Meghan posted a message from her and Harry to mark Louis turning one. She wrote on the Royal Instagram account: “Happy Birthday Louis! Sending lots of love from both of us.”
It came after the couple were accused of trying to steal the baby’s thunder by posting eight of Harry’s photos on their own separate Instagram page.
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