LONDON, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, is pregnant and due to give birth next spring, Kensington Palace announced Monday.

Kensington Palace said the couple "appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public."

The news came within hours after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrived in Australia for their first royal tour. They will spend 16 days in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.

The baby will be seventh in line to the throne.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were married in May.?