Prince Harry was all smiles as he made a surprise visit to the London Marathon on the day reported to be his wife Meghan Markle's due date.
The birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's first child is expected within days, but that didn't stop Harry from showing up at the UK's biggest race on Sunday in what could be his final public appearance before he becomes a father.
His appearance seems to have put to bed speculation that Meghan could possibly give birth today, as fans worldwide eagerly anticipate the royal baby's arrival.
Harry was at the event to meet volunteers, watch the athletes and present medals to the marathon and wheelchair winners, including victors in the World Para Athletics World Championship Marathon.
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Appearing happy and relaxed, Harry, dressed in a suit and white shirt with an unbuttoned collar, smiled as he shook hands and posed for photos with volunteers and winners including men's race champion Eliud Kipchoge.
It is understood Harry had always planned to go but with the birth of his child due around this period it was not announced in advance.
The duke's presence suggests wife Meghan, who is at their new Frogmore Cottage home on the Windsor Castle estate, is not expected to give birth this afternoon.
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Speculation over her due date, which was believed to be in late April or early May, has been rampant, along with other details including the baby's gender, where the newborn will be delivered, and the kind of birth that Meghan wants.
After Kensington Palace declared the due date is this spring, nine-month pregnant Meghan let slip that she was expecting the baby at the end of April or early May during an engagement in Birkenhead, Wirral, earlier this year.
ITV's royal editor Chris Ship told Good Morning Britain that the baby's arrival is "imminent".
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"We know the baby is due, in fact I can tell you that the due date is pretty much today," he said on Friday.
"Today, tomorrow, we really are in the realms of imminent arrival."
Earlier on Sunday, Harry's brother Prince William was asked whether the was any sign of the royal baby during his visit to New Zealand.
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He joked that well-wishers would know before he did.
He said while patting his pockets: "I haven't got my phone on me - I have no idea. You guys will find out before I do at this rate."
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Meghan's mum Doria Ragland, 62, flew in from Los Angeles last week to be at her daughter's side.
The US-born former Suits actress, 37, and husband Harry, 34, have said they would be keeping plans for the birth private.
The couple recently moved into Frogmore Cottage following an extensive renovation, leaving Kensington Palace in west London for the Queen's private estate.
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Meghan's estranged half-brother, Thomas Markle Jnr, 52, believes it wont be long before the duke and duchess Meghan Markle and Harry could live in California with baby, Duchess' brother claims
He told the Sunday Express: “Who would not like this? Once you grow up as a child on the beach, you are always going to go back to it. Meghan was brought up in this environment, moved and is groomed into Hollywood life.
“The Hollywood lifestyle is the southern California lifestyle – the sun, beach, bright lights, the city, studios and the movie business.
“She will always be a Hollywood southern California woman at heart.”
Due to the pregnancy, Meghan and Harry were not able to attend the wedding of actor Idris Elba and model Sabrina Dhowre in Marrakech, Morocco.
But the duke and duchess are reported to have Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's stunning £7,000 wedding gift for Idris Elba by the Connor Brothers said to be worth £7,000 as a gift.
The newlyweds attended Meghan and Harry's wedding at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in May last year.
Harry, meanwhile, was facing criticism on Sunday over an Earth Day post on the official 'Sussex Royal' Instagram account, which has more than five million fans.
He shared striking snaps of wildlife and preached about safeguarding the planet.
But it emerged the animals - an elephant, rhino and lion - had been tranquilised before the snaps were taken.
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A spokeswoman for Harry denied claims that the image was cropped deliberately so that the rope was not shown.
The Sun reported that Meghan's due date was today.
A source said: "It won’t be long now. Meghan’s really excited. Of course shes nervous like any first-time mum but she and Harry can’t wait.
"She’s been preparing for the birth – she wants it to be as natural as possible – and so has been practising hypnobirthing and breathing techniques with Harry.
"It’s been a huge support having her mum by her side and now she’s just getting as much rest as she can."
More than 40,000 athletes took part in the London Marathon, with tennis champion Andy Murray starting the proceedings.
Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge, who won the Olympic marathon in 2016 and the current marathon world record holder, won the men's race for a record fourth time.
Kipchoge, 34, smashed his own course record when he crossed the finish line near Buckingham Palace in a time of two hours, two minutes and 37 seconds.
Sir Mo Farah finished fifth in a time of two hours, five minutes and 39 seconds.
Brigid Kosgei, of Kenya, won the women's race with a time of two hours, two minutes and 37 seconds.
The 25-year-old was runner-up at last year's marathon.
American Dan Romanchuk won the men's wheelchair race (one hour, 33 minutes and 38 seconds), while the women's event was won by Manuela Schar of Switzerland (one hour, 44 minutes and nine seconds).
