Duchess Meghan's exciting year ahead: Baby Sussex, big announcements, new homes and more

December 24, 2018

This year was definitely one for the history books where the <a href="/tags/0/meghan-markle/">Duchess of Sussex</a> is concerned, from her breathtaking <a href="/royal-wedding/">royal wedding to Prince Harry</a> at Windsor Castle to a wildly successful <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/02018103148391/prince-harry-meghan-markle-royal-tour-best-moments">two-week tour debut Down Under</a> and announcing the arrival of Baby Sussex next spring. But 2019 has a lot in store for former actress Meghan, too – welcoming her first baby, summers trips to the Cotswolds, moving into their new family home, Frogmore Cottage, and so much more!
<p><strong>Click through to see what Duchess Meghan has to look forward to in 2019...</strong>
<p>Photo: © Getty Images

Her big move to Frogmore Cottage

The stork is coming – and not to Kensington Palace! Prince Harry and Meghan are busy preparing to welcome their first child in the spring, and chief among their decisions was where they'll live with their little one. While many believed they'd make Kensington Palace's Apartment 1 their home base, right next to Prince William and Kate, the Sussexes have decided to set up shop at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.

The cottage, believed to be a gift from Her Majesty, is a Grade II property, meaning it is of special interest and worthy of preservation efforts. And by the sound of it, it's going to be a magnificent five-bedroom home once the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are done with it! The parents-to-be are funding the structural and landscaping elements of the project with money from the Sovereign Grant, according to Kensington Palace, while they'll be footing the bill for the decor themselves. As reports go, they're even building the perfect "mother-in-law" suite for Meghan's mom Doria Ragland. To top it all off, it's got views of gorgeous Frogmore House (pictured), where they had their evening wedding reception and took their engagement photos.

Photo: © Getty Images

Announcing her patronages

There are few things Duchess Meghan hasn’t checked off the list as her first year as a royal comes to a close, but there’s one major item remaining to solidify her role: revealing her royal patronages! As 2018 wraps up, The Times has reported that Her Majesty is set to pass along a patronage to Meghan to kick off the New Year.

Per the report, the Queen is preparing to make some big patronage announcements in January or February, giving the 37-year-old an opportunity to pay visits to the organizations she’ll champion before heading on maternity leave and welcoming Baby Sussex in the spring. And this won’t be the first time the monarch has passed along positions with various charities – in 2016, she handed 25 of her more than 600 affiliations over to the younger generation of royals.

Photo: © Getty Images

Welcoming her royal baby

Arguably the most exciting event of 2019 for Prince Harry and Meghan is becoming parents! The couple will welcome their first child, Baby Sussex, in the spring and become a family of three. The baby's sex is unknown, and they haven't revealed whether they'll welcome their little one in Windsor or London. One person who's definitely over the moon is Meghan's mom Doria, who will become a grandmother for the first time. “Ms. Ragland is very happy about this lovely news, and she looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild,” said a statement from Kensington Palace when the couple announced their exciting news!

Duchess Kate also revealed her excitement for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to have a new cousin, saying, “Yeah, absolutely. It’s such a special time to have little kiddies. And now a cousin for George, Charlotte and Louis, as well! It’s really, really special.”

Photo: © Getty Images

<h2>Celebrating her first Mother's Day</h2>
Though Baby Sussex may not arrive in time for Mother's Day in the UK, he or she will be here for the American version on May 12! The California-born duchess will surely be flooded with good wishes from fans and family alike, and doted on by her loving husband, Prince Harry. Given that the duchess is so close with her own mom, we're willing to bet this holiday will carry some extra special meaning for her.
<p>Photo: © Getty Images

<h2>Celebrating Prince Harry's first Father's Day</h2>
Prince Charles' son will also be ringing in his first-ever Father's Day on June 16 after the exciting arrival of the couple's "little bump," as he adorably called Baby Sussex on tour. Like Meghan and her mom, Prince Harry also has a very close bond with his father, the future King.
<p>Photo: © Getty Images

<h2>Her 38th birthday!</h2>
The Duchess of Sussex's birthday falls on Aug. 4, and in 2018 she rang it in by attending the wedding of Prince Harry's close childhood friend Charlie van Straubenzee and his bride Daisy Jenks in Surrey. But 2019's birthday celebrations are bound to be a bit different, given that she'll have a new baby in tow! We're guessing the trio will have a cozy day in their Windsor home with a tasty homemade meal and cake, of course!
<p>Photo: © Getty Images

<h2>Her second Trooping the Colour</h2>
Trooping the Colour, the Queen's annual birthday celebration, is always a delight for royal watchers and royals alike! Senior members of British royalty gather on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the exciting fly past, and Meghan is set to ring in her second - and Baby Sussex's first - in June 2019.
<p>Photo: © Getty Images

<h2>Making her mom a grandmother</h2>
Duchess Meghan is extremely close with her mom, who will become a grandmother for the first time with the arrival of Baby Sussex! Doria must be just as excited as Meghan and Harry are to welcome their first child, and we can't wait to see how the yoga teacher and social worker dotes upon her first grandchild.
<p>Photo: © Getty Images

Another summer in the Cotswolds!

Just like last summer, Prince Harry and Meghan could be heading back to the Cotswolds for some well-deserve rest and relaxation with their new baby.

After kicking off a low-key August 2018 with Meghan's 37th birthday and a close friend’s wedding, Prince Harry and Meghan enjoyed spending time at their country home, on which Us Weekly reported that they signed a two-year lease. A short 90-minute drive from London, their little piece of paradise is located in the rolling hills of south central England.

The Cotswolds is a rural area covering six different counties and offering the perfect escape from the busy lives of Royal Family members. “It’s very clear they want to be private and left alone,” one local told royal expert Katie Nicholl for Vanity Fair. “The property is in the middle of woodland and you wouldn’t know it was there. It is very remote which is why they like it. It’s like a fortress. There’s a huge security presence, you can’t get close.”

<h2>Their first vacation with Baby Sussex</h2>
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex love to travel, and next year they have their first trip with their baby to look forward to. Perhaps it will be to the Cotswolds!
<p>Photo: © Instagram/@meghanmarkle, Getty Images

<h2>Ringing in Prince Harry's 35th birthday</h2>
Birthdays are always an exciting time, and Harry's 35th on Sept. 15 will be extra special with Baby Sussex around! Given Meghan's penchant for cooking, we're willing to bet she'll whip him up a fantastic meal, too.
<p>Photo: © Getty Images

<h2>Her first Christmas with Baby Sussex</h2>
Christmas is always such a wonderful time of year to bond with family and friends, and 2019 will be all the sweeter with a new baby in the picture. As per German tradition, the little ones at Sandringham House open their presents on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day, but Harry and Meghan's little one will have lots of cousins to guide the way.
<p>Photo: © Getty Images