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Mulberries, golf and redecorating - All the details about Meghan's maternity leave plans

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Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. (Photo: Getty Images)
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. (Photo: Getty Images)

Cape Town – Now in the third trimester of her pregnancy, the Duchess of Sussex has showed no signs of slowing down her royal duties.

So, when will Meghan start maternity leave?

Since announcing her pregnancy news while on a 16-day royal tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand, Meghan has continued to work hard including taking on four new patronages as well as keep up appearances alongside hubby Prince Harry, be it in the UK or most recently in Morocco. Even when she's not working she's been busy, having flown to New York for a private baby shower and catch-up with her friends.

But, as People reports, the duchess is expected to make less and less appearances as she nears her mid-to-late April due date.

According to Gov.UK, "eligible employees can take up to 52 weeks maternity leave" which is divided between 'Ordinary Maternity Leave' and 'Additional Maternity Leave'.

Furthermore, "the earliest that leave can be taken is 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth, unless the baby is born early".

For her youngest, the Duchess of Cambridge stepped out for her final royal engagement on 22 March, an exact month before she gave birth to Prince Louis on 23 April

The duchess returned to the public eye for her first official royal engagement on 2 October, 5-and-a-half months after giving birth and 6-and-a-half months after her final public appearance.

Meghan will therefore very likely go on maternity leave in late March. She and Prince Harry are scheduled to make their next royal outing together at a Commonwealth Day event on Monday, 11 March.

EXCITING MATERNITY LEAVE PLANS

While Harry and Meghan are gearing up to move into their new home at Frogmore Cottage, a house on the grounds of Windsor Estate ahead of their child's birth, Meghan has a number of exciting plans while on maternity leave, Hello! reports.

Redecorating takes time, especially when moving into a 10-bedroom house complete with a gym, a yoga studio and a nursery. According to the outlet Meghan is likely to devote some of her time out of the spotlight building a home for her family.

The former American actress is also reportedly planning to fly her mom in to help her settle into her new role as a mother.

In a previous interview with Hello!, former royal chef Darren McGrady, who used to live next door at Frogmore Stables, listed things for the couple to do while they take time off, including taking their dogs for walks, playing golf as well as picking mulberries.

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