All the subtle clues pointing to Meghan's pregnancy
The announcement of Meghan Markle's pregnancy was the Valentine's Day surprise that topped them all.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed they were expecting their second child via a statement from a spokesperson and a new portrait of the couple.
RELATED: Why Meghan and Harry's second child will make history
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expecting their second child. Misan Harriman/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex
It was delightful news that took many by surprise — but looking back at the last few months, there was a sprinkling of clues to suggest the duchess was expecting.
The court case delay
If you cast your mind back to late October, you may remember there where whispers of a pregnancy, linked to Meghan's court case against Associated Newspapers.
On October 29, Justice Warby approved the duchess' request to delay a court date in her lawsuit against the Mail on Sunday on "confidential grounds".
Meghan's application to delay her court case by nine months raised eyebrows. AP
The trial was slated to begin on January 11, 2021, but Meghan submitted a motion to postpone it until October.
Royal fans were quick to calculate that would be a nine-month delay, and the pregnancy talk began.
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It's not known how far Meghan is into her pregnancy, but royal watchers including Camilla Tominey speculate she could be as far as five months along. If this is the case, she would have known in late October.
Meghan and Harry in their most recent video appearance. Instagram/Get Lit-Words Ignite
The video appearances
Meghan's virtual appearances began to taper out at the end of 2020, but the few she did make carefully concealed any sign of pregnancy.
In the middle section of the year, the former Suits actress made several appearances in which most of her figure was visible.
These included her TV spots on the TIME100 broadcast and the final of America's Got Talent in September.
Meghan in some of her earlier virtual appearances in 2020. Supplied
However, by the end of the year Meghan had returned to more zoomed-in set ups, appearing in a TV special for CNN Heroes in December and surprising a poetry class earlier this month.
One thing is for sure; it's much easier to conceal a growing baby bump over video than it is in person.
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Additionally, Prince Harry made several appearances without Meghan towards the end of 2020, including volunteering in Compton, California in mid-November.
Meghan pictured in a CNN Heroes TV special in December. CNN
The Christmas card
When Harry and Meghan released their 2020 Christmas card, the artistic rendering of the photo — depicting the couple at their home in California with son Archie and dogs Guy and Pula — seemed like little more than a creative decision.
In retrospect, it may have been a subtle attempt by the Sussexes to prevent any pregnancy speculation based on Meghan's appearance.
As we've seen in the past, royal watchers are quick to pick up on physical changes.
RELATED: Queen Elizabeth 'delighted' by Harry and Meghan's baby news, palace confirms
The Sussexes' Christmas card was artfully rendered - and niftily concealed any signs of pregnancy. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex/Mayhew
There had been pregnancy rumours swirling for weeks before Meghan confirmed she was expecting her first child in 2018, largely based on her fashion choices at the time.
By slightly blurring the photo, the duke and duchess ensured even the slightest signs of a bump were obscured. (And kudos to them.)
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