Meghan Markle's 'sudden sadness' over Archie and Lilibet as rumours swirl over family future

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle must be having a whirlwind ride of memories as their daughter, Lilibet, turns three this week. It seems like just weeks ago they were celebrating Archie's fifth birthday, with the couple undoubtedly feeling like time is whizzing by.

During a recent trip to Nigeria, which coincided with Mother's Day in America, Meghan, 42, who said she is 43% Nigerian, shared her longing for Archie and Lilibet, stating: "Today is Mother's Day," adding: "So it feels appropriate that although of course we are missing our children, I'm missing my babies, it feels very appropriate to be in the motherland and amongst family."

A source has said that Meghan finds it hard to be separated from her youngsters, saying: "Meghan doesn't like being away from her children as she doesn't want to miss a thing with them growing up so fast. With Lili turning three, it's really got Meghan and Harry thinking about their future and how quickly the children are growing up. Meghan especially feels that her babies are no longer babies and like most mums, it makes her slightly sad and wistful that the baby years have come to an end."

The transition from babies to school-age children is a challenge that Meghan, like many parents, may be grappling with. Parenting guru Amanda Jenner told OK!: "For many parents, it really is a mix of emotions when you think your children are growing up so fast; it can leave parents feeling anxious about how fast time is going but it is completely natural. It's perfectly normal that Meghan is feeling that sudden sadness and it's important to find the positive. This can also be a time for parents to find themselves again as a person.

"When you first have a baby it's completely overwhelming and you can feel like you lose your identity, so this can be the perfect time to reconnect with yourself and find something you love to do. When they reach school age this can be a time when you as a parent will have separation anxiety, which you are entitled to feel. So connect with other parents and talk about your feelings. On the plus side you may make a new circle of friends within school life and you can share this journey together."

Rumours are rife about whether Harry, 39, and Meghan, who made their big move from the UK to California in 2020, are planning to add another bundle of joy to their brood. The rumour mill has been in overdrive with whispers that the duo is keen to grow their family, especially since Meghan has openly talked about her wish for siblings during her own childhood.

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Meghan, who has two half-siblings from her father's side, said in 2021: "I grew up as an only child, which everyone who grew up around me knows, and I wished I had siblings."

Despite this, it appears that the Sussexes are set to remain a family of four. Harry has previously expressed that they do not plan to have more children, citing environmental concerns as a significant factor. During a 2019 interview, he famously stated: "Two, maximum!" He elaborated on the decision, saying: "I've always thought: this place is borrowed. And, surely, being as intelligent as we all are, or as evolved as we all are supposed to be, we should be able to leave something better behind for the next generation."

This July marks four years since Meghan endured the pain of a miscarriage, a personal tragedy she has openly discussed in hopes of supporting others who have faced similar heartache. In 2020, a year after welcoming Archie into the world, Meghan experienced another pregnancy but tragically lost the baby. She later shared her harrowing experience in a deeply personal essay, revealing that she felt a sharp cramp while caring for Archie and subsequently had to be hospitalised.

Reflecting on the painful process of healing from such a loss, she revealed, "Hours later, I lay in a hospital bed, holding my husband's hand. I felt the clamminess of his palm and kissed his knuckles, wet from both our tears. Staring at the cold white walls, my eyes glazed over. I tried to imagine how we'd heal. Losing a child means carrying an almost unbearable grief."

As the anniversary of this heartbreak looms, the source claims that Meghan is feeling a natural sadness at this time of year – but has her family to bring her joy. "She feels so blessed to have Archie and Lili and the family she and Harry have created. But naturally, as the anniversary of her miscarriage approaches, she does have sadness. The date is very poignant for her," the source says. "But Meghan is always looking towards the future and is just so grateful for the happiness she has in her life with Harry and the kids."

In addition to being thankful for her children, Meghan also delights in watching their personalities develop. "I'm so fortunate that we have two beautiful, healthy, very chatty, sweet children," Meghan said in May. Alongside the joys of motherhood, the duchess is candid about its challenges and, last year, she voiced her concerns over the potential dangers of social media for her children.

ABUJA, NIGERIA - MAY 10: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Lightway Academy on May 10, 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria. (Photo by Andrew Esiebo/Getty Images for The Archewell Foundation)

She said: "I will say I feel fortunate that our children are at an age, again quite young, so this isn't in our immediate future, but I also feel frightened by how it's continuing to change and this will be in front of us."

With Archie set to begin kindergarten in August and Lilibet getting ready for preschool, Meghan will have more time to focus on work. After recently launching her lifestyle and cooking brand, American Riviera Orchard, the former actress will no doubt have a jam-packed schedule for the rest of the year.

"With the kids getting older, Meghan will be taking on more work as she'll have more free time and it's important for her to show the kids, especially Lili, that mummies work as well," says the source. "But her family life will always come first, she will fit work in around the children's schedules so she is there for them when they need her and she just wants to make the most of and cherish every moment with them as they grow up," they add.