How long will Meghan Markle take for maternity leave?

In the United Kingdom employed pregnant women are entitled to one year of maternity leave. This is true no matter how long they have been working with their employer. The leave is divided into two categories: 26 weeks of standard maternity leave and 26 additional weeks for those who need more time. Fortunately for the royal family, these rules also apply to them.

As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wait for their premiere in a few months, how long will Markle take to occupy the last member of the British Royal Family?

How long did Kate Middleton's maternity leave last?

The Duchess of Cambridge is the mother of three beautiful children, Prince George Alexander Louis, Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana and Prince Louis Arthur Charles. Middleton's maternity leave was different for each of them.

When she had Prince George, her first child in 2013, Middleton returned to being a duchess just six weeks after birth. With her second Princess Charlotte that she had in 2015, she returned to work four months later. The dear duchess took the longest leave after the birth of her youngest prince, Prince Louis. Middleton temporarily retired for five months to enjoy family life with his three children. The Duchess even helped her sister, Pippa, to give birth, which corresponds perfectly to her own maternity leave.

Although she had not been aware since Louis' birth, she had attended several engagements: the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Trooping the Color, the RAF Centenary and even joined tennis fans at Wimbledon. This shows that even during the maternity leave, members of the royal family can attend events to stay present.

How long will Meghan Markle take for maternity leave?

Markle will welcome her first child to the world in late April. How long will it take Markle to lavish his firstborn with love? According to royal expert Russell Myers, the Duchess of Susbad could take up to one year off. Myers badumes that the new duchess will continue to perform her royal duties until the birth of Count Dumbarton or Lady Mountbatten-Windsor. Working until delivery will give her the time to spend more time with Prince Harry and his much sweeter firstborn.

Outside family time, Markle can opt for a longer leave. Considering she had a difficult entry into the royal life, a long break would be a great way to combat stress. It would also give the new family time to acclimatize to their new home.

How does Markle's maternity leave compare to other royals?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Saeed Khan / AFP / Getty Images

Since Markle's maternity leave seems to be longer than that of her sister, Middleton, some might think she might take a little too much free time. How does one's "holiday" potential compare to other members of the royal family?

• Princess Anne took about six months of maternity leave after the birth of her son, Peter Phillips. After the birth of her second child, Zara Tindall, she took about ten months off.
• The beloved Princess Diana, who gave birth to Prince William in June 1982, took eight months of rest after his birth. When Prince Harry was born, she took about six months off.
• Countess Sophie de Wesbad took eight months off after her eldest; Lady Louise Windsor was born.
• Zara Tindall gave birth to her first child, Mia Tindall, on January 17, 2014. She resumed her royal duties in just three months. His second daughter, Lena Tindall, was born last June. The royal took at least four months off to take care of the last member of her family.

Which royal lady had the longest maternity leave?

Historian Robert Lacy has highlighted the longest maternity leave ever recorded. The Queen herself, Queen Elizabeth II, had a pleasant vacation when Prince Andrew and Prince Edward were born. In the 1960s, his majesty took off more than a year, exactly eighteen months, to spend time with his growing family.