Meghan Markle and Harry ‘already know sex of baby’ and name could be ‘non-traditional’

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry may already know if they’re having a baby boy or girl and could opt for a non-traditional first name, a royal expert claims.

Last week the couple announced they’re having a second child, and rumours are already flying about whether young Archie will be getting a little brother or sister.

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward is convinced the only ones not in the dark about the new baby’s gender are the proud parents themselves.

“I’m sure they will already know the sex of the baby, as that is the LA way,” she told FEMAIL on Monday.

The practice of identifying the foetus’ sex through prenatal scans is fairly common in the US, where parents-to-be frequently throw extravagant “gender reveal” parties that involve pink or blue confetti, cakes or smoke to signify a boy or a girl.

While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex haven’t said anything publicly regarding the gender of their new bundle of joy, there is some precedent for them to already know what they’re having.

The bombshell biography Finding Freedom, which was released last year, claims the couple knew they were having a son long before Archie was born.

“Harry and Meghan already had a name ready to go when Archie was born, because the couple had known all along that they were having a boy,” the book alleges.

“According to a source, they settled on their son’s name some time during the final week of her pregnancy.”

The name of their second child is also a contentious subject, with Ms Seward weighing on on that as well — and she suggests the forward-thinking Meghan and Harry may look to the past for inspiration.

“I’m certain that neither of them will feel obliged to use any of the standard royal names,” she added in her interview with FEMAIL.

“I imagine they might go for the Victorian style names which are all symbolic of colours. For a boy, they may choose Red, which is Redmond, Blue or Grey. Whereas for the girl choices, I can see them turning to the flowers – Daisy, Primrose, Violet or Ivy.”

Ms Seward also said she wouldn’t be surprised if the couple go with Diana for a girl as a tribute to Harry’s beloved mum.

Bookies have also revealed the sentimental name is top pick with punters at the moment, with other potential names including Alexandra, Alfie, Charlie and Florence.

The couple announced the pregnancy on Valentine’s Day, releasing an adorable black-and-white photo of a visibly pregnant Meghan resting her head in Harry’s lap under a “fertility tree” at their California home.

“We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother,” a spokesperson said.

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child.”