How papers in the UK and Australia reacted to Harry and Meghan’s baby news
The news of a new royal baby has made headlines across the world after Kensington Palace announced the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were expecting a child in the spring.
It is no surprise the couple, who have been married for five months, feature on the front of most of the UK’s national newspapers on Tuesday.
But the pair’s happy news is also celebrated on the front of many Australian newspapers too, as Harry and Meghan embark on their first overseas tour as a married couple Down Under.
In typical Aussie, laid-back fashion, the country’s Daily Telegraph runs with the headline “Heir Dinkum!” – a play on the Australian slang “fair dinkum”, meaning fair or truth – and describes the unborn baby as the couple’s “little Aussie beauty”.
The news added further excitement to the royal fever already gripping the country, the paper says.
Heir Dinkum! Harry and Meghan reveal their little Aussie beauty – #frontpagestoday#Australia#TheDailyTelegraphpic.twitter.com/T2vcUigaVq
— Front Pages Today (@ukpapers) October 15, 2018
“True Blue Baby Joy”, says The West Australian, alongside a photo of the smiling couple arriving at Sydney Airport on Monday.
The front page of tomorrow's The West Australian. https://t.co/dTaTzicnPj#wanews#perthnews#RoyalBaby#RoyalTourpic.twitter.com/yhlb0qFUJx
— The West Australian (@westaustralian) October 15, 2018
The Herald Sun takes a similar approach, calling it a “True Blue Bub”, and a “royal bundle of joy”.
The news was announced within hours of the couple touching down in Australia, the paper adds.
Tomorrow's @theheraldsun front page tonight #auspol#springst@rharris334@Media_Mattpic.twitter.com/Sea4IWqEYi
— damon johnston (@damonheraldsun) October 15, 2018
In a somewhat cheeky slant on the story, The NT News – famed for its quirky front pages – runs with the headline “Ginger Pregs”.
FIRST CAME 'GINGER MEGS', NOW IT'S 'GINGER PREGS' #RoyalBaby#GingerPregs IN YOUR @NTNews TODAY:Our new book: https://t.co/kmAAhgcaZVSubscribe and get a Fitbit: https://t.co/FMSpcRECk1pic.twitter.com/lsNxAONO6I
— The NT News (@TheNTNews) October 15, 2018
The Sydney Morning Herald, meanwhile, says the couple’s journey to Australia may have been a “smooth ride”, but now there is a “bump on the way”.
Good morning. Here's today's front page of the Herald https://t.co/eEH8m1plEupic.twitter.com/aZuwNmtS83
— The Sydney Morning Herald (@smh) October 15, 2018
And Tasmania’s The Mercury paper congratulates Harry and Meghan, proclaiming: “You little beauty!”.
In your Mercury today:Selling Point: https://t.co/EQFXE4OyR3Royal baby delight: https://t.co/XbvEbJrhpeSubscribe and get a Fitbit: https://t.co/Z1hutviOnWpic.twitter.com/e3h09qgIF5
— Mercury (@themercurycomau) October 15, 2018
The baby news is also greeted with similar enthusiasm by papers in the UK.
The Sun reports that Princess Eugenie’s wedding guests were sworn to secrecy after the “overjoyed” couple told the family they were expecting on Friday.
“Mum’s The Word”, says the paper, as it adds that Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland said she was “very happy about the lovely news”.
Tomorrow's front page: Meghan Markle pregnant and due to give birth in Spring next year https://t.co/XsD299zYNspic.twitter.com/aDmuzVJ3wR
— The Sun (@TheSun) October 15, 2018
The Daily Mail highlights Meghan’s “glow” – alongside a photo of the duchess “beaming with joy” in Sydney.
“Oh, Baby!”, its headline says, as it reports that the duchess showed the world her delight at starting a family with Harry.
Tuesday’s @DailyMailUK#MailFrontPagespic.twitter.com/K5bIHWh3Xl
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) October 15, 2018
The Metro points out the baby’s due date could also coincide with Brexit, while the Daily Mirror says Meghan has a carefully planned schedule for her tour with Harry, which is set to take them to places where the Zika virus can pose a risk. The paper says the couple sought medical advice.
Metro: Buck stops here over ‘backstop’ #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/rn98Vo8KuZ
— Helena Lee (@BBCHelenaLee) October 15, 2018
Tomorrow's front page: Mum-to-be Meghan on Zika alert #tomorrowspaperstodayhttps://t.co/buPhpvQI6qpic.twitter.com/gis6ngttmr
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) October 15, 2018