Harry and Megan announce their expecting second child

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will break their silence in their first interview since quitting their roles as senior royals when they sit down with Oprah Winfrey next month.

Prince Harry and Meghan, who revealed on Sunday they are expecting their second child, announced their plans to step back from the royal family on 8 January last year.

Oprah with Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special, described as an “intimate conversation” by the US television network, will be aired on 7 March.

CBS said: “Winfrey will speak with Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, in a wide-ranging interview, covering everything from stepping into life as a royal, marriage, motherhood, philanthropic work to how she is handling life under intense public pressure. Later, the two are joined by Prince Harry as they speak about their move to the United States and their future hopes and dreams for their expanding family.”

Winfrey is a personal friend of Meghan and attended the royal wedding in May 2018, and there was speculation at the time the couple would be interviewed by her.

It is not known if the Sussexes informed the royal household in the UK about their plans to be interviewed, but as non-working members of the monarchy they do not have to give notice of their media commitments. Buckingham Palace declined to comment.

The news follows their Valentine’s Day announcement that their one-year-old son, Archie will be getting a new baby brother or sister. The child will be born eighth in line to the throne and become the most senior royal in the current line of succession to be born overseas, with an automatic right to US citizenship.

Harry retained his place in the line of succession despite the couple’s decision to step back from royal life and live independently in the US.