Prince Harry and Meghan to keep baby plans private

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive to attend the Endeavour Fund Awards in the Drapers' Hall in London, Britain February 7, 2019. Tolga Akmen/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Prince Harry and Meghan have decided to keep the plans around the arrival of their first child private, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.

Harry and Meghan, whose official titles are the duke and duchess of Sussex, expect the birth of their first child in the coming weeks.

"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very grateful for the goodwill they have received from people throughout the United Kingdom and around the world as they prepare to welcome their baby," they said in a statement.

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry the Duke of Sussex visit the Andalusian Gardens in Rabat, Morocco February 25, 2019. Facundo Arrizabalaga/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

"Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private," the palace said. "The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family."

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Kate Holton)

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a Commonwealth Day youth event at Canada House in London, Britain, March 11, 2019. Chris Jackson/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave after the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, on Commonwealth Day, in London, Britain March 11, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo