Meghan Markle & Prince Harry to take ‘several months off’ for parental leave to ‘lead by example’ after Lilibet’s birth

MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry will reportedly take several months off work for parental leave after the birth of their baby girl.

Journalist Omid Scobie said the break could be as long as 20 weeks as the the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - who offer as many weeks to staff at Archewell - "lead by example".

🔵 Read our Meghan and Harry live blog for the latest updates

Meghan and Harry welcomed Lilibet  “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, who shares the Queen's family nickname, at 11.40am on Friday in California.

They announced the news on their Archewell website, writing: “She is more than we could have ever imagined.”

An accompanying statement confirmed the new arrival weighed 7lb 11oz, while "both mother and child are healthy and well and settling in at home".

In a footnote below, the couple quietly announced their intention to take joint parental leave.

It read: "While the Duke and Duchess are on parental leave, Archewell will continue to do important work and publish stories on the site.

"We look forward to seeing you!"

Omid Scobie, a journalist favoured by the Sussexes, later suggested the break could be as long as 20 weeks - the period of time Archewell offers its staff after having a baby.

He told Good Morning America: "We're so used to seeing senior royals going back to work but Harry and Meghan are leading by example.

"They offer up to 20 weeks parental leave at Archewell - it'll be several months off work for the pair of them."

What we know so far:

• Meghan and Harry have given birth to a baby girl called Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor in a touching nod to the Queen
• She was born at hospital in Santa Barbara on Friday morning weighing 7lb 11oz
• Lili and Meghan are "healthy and well" and "settling in at home"
• Meghan and Harry have asked people to support organisations working for women and girls instead of giving a present
• Lili is now eighth in line to the throne, behind her older brother Archie
• Meghan and Harry kept birth a secret for two DAYS before announcing baby joy to the world
• Queen, William and Kate Middleton say they are 'delighted' after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcome baby Lilibet
• The clues Meghan Markle and Prince Harry chose their baby girl’s name Lili years earlier

While Harry took two weeks of paternal leave after the birth of his first-born, Archie, it is not clear how long he and mum Meghan will take off this time.

The former royals have a number of commitments they will eventually need to get back to, from Harry's new role as "chief impact officer" with US mental health firm BetterUp Inc to the couple's joint Spotify and Netflix roles.

The Duke and Duchess also recently announced a multi-year global partnership with Procter & Gamble, helping the company "build a more equitable and just future for women and girls".

Announcing the birth of their daughter yesterday, they said: "On June 4, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili.

"She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we've felt from across the globe.

"Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family."

The name Lilibet is a touching nod to her great-grandmother the Queen, who was affectionately called the nickname by her family.

And Her Majesty and the royals yesterday said they were "delighted" at the news and made a touching tribute to the couple and their baby girl.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been informed and are delighted with the news of the birth of a daughter for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tweeted: "We are all delighted by the happy news of the arrival of baby Lili.

"Congratulations to Harry, Meghan and Archie."

The couple asked anyone wishing to send a present to instead "support or learn more" about organisations working for women and girls.

They are yet to release a picture of their darling daughter.