When Will Meghan Markle Start Her Maternity Leave?

Meghan Markle has been working throughout her pregnancy, making appearances and even announcing her first patronage. However, the Duchess of Sussex has to step out of the spotlight at some point. After all, she’ll need time to settle into motherhood.

Royal commentator Angela Mollard believes Meghan is ready for maternity leave after her official visit to Morocco with Prince Harry. “I think it will be pretty much after this. The fact is she’s come back from New York, this is only a short, three-day trip then she’s back to London and I think that will be it,” Mollard said on Australia’s “The Morning Show” (via Express). “There could be occasional things – but I think she looks a bit further along than seven months.”

Markle reportedly told citizens at an event earlier this year that she was due in late April or early May, but there has been much speculation that she is actually due earlier.

Previously, reports claimed that Meghan didn’t want to take much downtime before giving birth. Meghan had supposedly told aides that she wanted to work right up until she was going into labor.

However, after returning from Morocco, Meghan only has one item on her calendar. She’ll join the royal family on March 5 for a late morning reception to mark the 50th anniversary of the investiture of the Prince of Wales. There could still be a few unannounced events before Meghan officially takes her maternity leave, but it seems like the former actress might be ready to slow down.

Though Meghan’s work ethic has caused some rumors about her being “difficult,” Queen Elizabeth II apparently finds it impressive. “The Queen is amazed by the duchess’s energy and stamina given that she is so heavily pregnant,” a source told Vanity Fair. “For the Queen and her generation, you generally hid your bump and put your feet up in this stage of pregnancy, but Meghan hasn’t stopped.”

Kate Middleton officially started her maternity leave for Prince Louis about a month before giving birth. If Meghan’s calendar stays open, it would seem the California native is doing the same.

Kensington Palace has not confirmed when Meghan Markle will start her maternity leave.