Meghan Markle drops huge baby hint

A baby catches Meghan Markle's attention during a walkabout in Belfast, Northern Ireland, yesterday. Photo / Getty Images

Yesterday in Northern Ireland, Meghan Markle confirmed this week's reports — she and Prince Harry plan to start a family after their May 19 wedding.

When the couple met local entrepreneurs Sinead and Adam Murphy they were shown products from their Shnuggle line, which included a baby bath and Moses basket.

"I'm sure at some point we'll need the whole thing," Markle, 36, quipped.

Harry, who has made no secret of the fact he wants kids, grinned. Their wedding may be two months away, but Markle clearly has babies on her mind. It was enough proof for royal watchers Markle and Harry, 32, are actively thinking about the babies they plan to have in the near future.

Royal correspondent Katie Nicholl told Entertainment Tonight this week that Harry is baby-ready.

"My sources are saying that Prince Harry, particularly, is very keen to start a family, pretty soon after the royal wedding. He has made no secret about wanting children."

At their engagement interview Harry said, "Hopefully we'll start a family in the near future."

Some preparation may actually be happening now, if you take the New York Daily News report seriously. It reported a source said it was "no secret among friends that they want to start a family immediately".

So Markle has got Harry to give up smoking and drink less.

My sources are saying Prince Harry is very keen to start a family.

Katie Nicholl

"One of the reasons she got him to quit smoking is because smoking affects sperm production," the source said.

The engaged couple have been touring Britain before their wedding in May and in keeping with royal visits to Northern Ireland, details were not released in advance and the itinerary was not disclosed for security reasons.

They arrived unannounced in Belfast, before going on a walkabout in the city centre, visiting the iconic Crown Liquor Saloon, a science park and the Titanic Belfast museum.

Later the couple got a rock-star welcome from thousands of youngstersat the former Maze paramilitary prison, now a conference centre, where teenagers had gathered for a peace-building event.

About 600 invitations to the couple's wedding at Windsor Castle were mailed out this week.