Will Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's baby be an American citizen? Here's what we know - AOL

With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, expecting their first child sometime this spring, there’s no shortage of questions about the royal baby and the next phase in the couple’s life together. One of the most pressing questions, especially among American fans, is surrounding its nationality. Will Baby Sussex have American citizenship?

The short answer is yes. But the explanation is slightly more complicated than that, and over time that may change.

Born Aug. 4, 1981 in Los Angeles, California, to Doria Ragland and Thomas Markle Sr., Meghan is a native-born citizen of the United States. The former Suits actress grew up in Hollywood before earning a bachelor's degree from Northwestern's School of Communication in 2003. She didn't start dating Harry until June 2016, when she was 34.

When Meghan and Harry announced their engagement, it was soon revealed that the bride-to-be would change her citizenship. "She intends to become a U.K. citizen and will go through the process of that, which some of you may know takes a number of years," Jason Knauf, Prince Harry's communications secretary told the BBC in December 2017, ahead of the couple’s May 2018 wedding ceremony. That journey can’t even start until Meghan has spent 12 months living in the U.K. In the meantime, she would be "compliant with immigration requirements at all times," he added, meaning that she will still be an American citizen when she gives birth.

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RABAT, MOROCCO - FEBRUARY 25: (UK OUT FOR 28 DAYS) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex with King Mohammed VI of Morocco, during an audience at his residence on February 25, 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. (Photo by Tim Rooke/Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

RABAT, MOROCCO - FEBRUARY 25: (UK OUT FOR 28 DAYS) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits King Mohammed VI of Morocco, during an audience at his residence on February 25, 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

RABAT, MOROCCO - FEBRUARY 25: (UK OUT FOR 28 DAYS) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a cooking demonstration, where children from under-privileged backgrounds learn traditional Moroccan recipes from one of Morocco’s foremost chefs, at the Villa des Ambassadors on February 25, 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

RABAT, MOROCCO - FEBRUARY 25: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit the Andalusian Gardens to hear about youth empowerment in Morocco from a number of young social entrepreneurs on February 25, 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duke & Duchess of Sussex, visit the Kasbah of the Udayas near the Moroccan capital Rabat. on February 25, 2019. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo credit should read FADEL SENNA/AFP/Getty Images)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex during their visit to the Moroccan Royal Federation of Equestrian Sports in Rabat on the third day of their tour of Morocco. (Photo by Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images)

RABAT, MOROCCO - FEBRUARY 24: (UK OUT FOR 28 DAYS) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends a reception hosted by the British Ambassador to Morocco at the British Residence during the second day of her tour of Morocco on February 24, 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

RABAT, MOROCCO - FEBRUARY 24: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends a reception hosted by the British Ambassador to Morocco at the British Residence during the second day of her tour of Morocco on February 24, 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. The Royal couple met influential Moroccan women, young entrepreneurs and disabled athletes amongst others. (Photo by Arthur Edwards - Pool/Getty Images)

ASNI, MOROCCO - FEBRUARY 24: (UK OUT FOR 28 DAYS) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit a local secondary school meeting students and teachers on February 24, 2019 in Asni, Morocco. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

ASNI, MOROCCO - FEBRUARY 24: (UK OUT FOR 28 DAYS) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend an Investiture for Michael McHugo the founder of 'Education for All' with the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire on February 24, 2019 in Asni, Morocco. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

CASABLANCA, MOROCCO - FEBRUARY 23: (UK OUT FOR 28 DAYS) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at Casablanca airport on February 23, 2019 in Casablanca, Morocco. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

CASABLANCA, MOROCCO - FEBRUARY 23: (UK OUT FOR 28 DAYS) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at Casablanca airport on February 23, 2019 in Casablanca, Morocco. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 20: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is seen on February 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 20: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is seen in the Upper East Side on February 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 19: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is seen walking out of the mark hotel on February 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends a gala performance of ‘The Wider Earth’ in support of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust & the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy at the Natural History Museum on February 12, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive to attend a gala performance of ‘The Wider Earth’ in support of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust & the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy at the Natural History Museum on February 12, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Heathcliff O'Malley - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 07: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends the Endeavour Fund Awards at Drapers Hall on February 7, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 07: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the Endeavour Fund Awards at Drapers' Hall on February 07, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Ricky Vigil M/GC Images)

Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (L) and Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, reacts as they visit Bristol Old Vic theatre in Bristol, south-west England on February 1, 2019. - Built in 1766 as a place where the people of Bristol could come together, Bristol Old Vic is the oldest continuously working theatre in the English speaking world. (Photo by MARC GIDDINGS / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARC GIDDINGS/AFP/Getty Images)

Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (R) and Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, reacts as they visit Bristol Old Vic theatre in Bristol, south-west England on February 1, 2019. - Built in 1766 as a place where the people of Bristol could come together, Bristol Old Vic is the oldest continuously working theatre in the English speaking world. (Photo by MARC GIDDINGS / various sources / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARC GIDDINGS/AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex departs after visiting the Association of Commonwealth Universities at City, University Of London on January 31, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Meghan, Duchess of Cambridge departs after attending an engagement with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) at City, University Of London on January 31, 2019 in London, England. The Duchess met students from the Commonwealth now studying in the UK, for whom access to university has transformed their lives. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex shakes hands with Rosi Prescott after visiting the National theatre in central London on January 30, 2019 after it was announced that she would be Patron of the theatre. (Photo by Niklas HALLEN / AFP) (Photo credit should read NIKLAS HALLEN/AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits The National Theatre on January 30, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/GC Images)

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walks to her car after visiting the National theatre in central London on January 30, 2019 after it was announced that she would be Patron of the theatre. (Photo by Niklas HALLEN / AFP) (Photo credit should read NIKLAS HALLEN/AFP/Getty Images)

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (R) and Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, attend the premiere of Cirque du Soleil's Totem in support of Sentebale at the Royal Albert Hall in London on January 16, 2019. (Photo by Paul Grover / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read PAUL GROVER/AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Cirque du Soleil Premiere Of 'TOTEM' at Royal Albert Hall on January 16, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends the Cirque du Soleil Premiere Of 'TOTEM' at Royal Albert Hall on January 16, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Grover - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess Of Sussex visits the Mayhew Animal Welfare Charity on January 16, 2019 in London, England. This will be Her Royal Highness's first official visit to Mayhew in her new role as Patron. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess Of Sussex departs after visiting Mayhew Animal Welfare Charity on January 16, 2019 in London, England. This will be Her Royal Highness's first official visit to Mayhew in her new role as Patron. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex meets 'Foxy' during her visit to the Mayhew, an animal welfare charity on January 16, 2019 in London, England. This will be Her Royal Highnesses first official visit to Mayhew in her new role as Patron. (Photo by Eddie Mulholland - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

BIRKENHEAD, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 14: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meets members of the public during a visit of Birkenhead at Hamilton Square on January 14, 2019 in Birkenhead, UK. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 14: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit 'Tomorrow's Women Wirral' Charity on January 14, 2019 in Birkenhead, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlotte Graham - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits Smart Works on January 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. Smart Works is one of the four organisations which she has become Royal Patron of, it was announced by Kensington Palace today. The three other organisations are The National Theatre, The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and Mayhew. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Britain's Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, chats with Patsy Wardally as they pick out clothes, during her visit to Smart Works, a charity to which she has become patron, at St Charles hospital in west London on January 10, 2019. (Photo by CLODAGH KILCOYNE / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read CLODAGH KILCOYNE/AFP/Getty Images)

Britain's Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex (L), picks out a necklace with Chair of Smart Works Lady Juliet Hughes-Hallett (R) during her visit to Smart Works, a charity to which she has become patron, at St Charles hospital in west London on January 10, 2019. (Photo by CLODAGH KILCOYNE / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read CLODAGH KILCOYNE/AFP/Getty Images)

KING'S LYNN, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 25: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018 in King's Lynn, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

KING'S LYNN, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 25: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018 in King's Lynn, England. (Photo by UK Press Pool/UK Press via Getty Images)

Britain's Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex (L), Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex depart after the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, eastern England, on December 25, 2018. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

The Duchess of Sussex arrives for a visit to the Royal Variety CharityÕs residential nursing and care home, Brinsworth House, in Twickenham, west London. (Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)

Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (L) visits the Royal Variety Charity's residential nursing and care home, Brinsworth House in Twickenham, south west London on December 18, 2018. - The honeymoon period for former actress and newly-minted British royal Meghan Markle, it seems, is over. Six months on from her fairytale wedding to Prince Harry at Windsor Castle, Meghan is faced with a daily barrage of tabloid headlines criticising her courtly manner and warning her against becoming 'Duchess Difficult'. (Photo by Geoff PUGH / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read GEOFF PUGH/AFP/Getty Images)

Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex unveils a plaque to commemorate her visit to the Royal Variety Charity's residential nursing and care home, Brinsworth House in Twickenham, south west London on December 18, 2018. - The honeymoon period for former actress and newly-minted British royal Meghan Markle, it seems, is over. Six months on from her fairytale wedding to Prince Harry at Windsor Castle, Meghan is faced with a daily barrage of tabloid headlines criticising her courtly manner and warning her against becoming 'Duchess Difficult'. (Photo by Geoff PUGH / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read GEOFF PUGH/AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Rosamund Pike on stage during The Fashion Awards 2018 In Partnership With Swarovski at Royal Albert Hall on December 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Maher/BFC/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Rosamund Pike on stage to present the British Designer of the Year Womenswear Award during The Fashion Awards 2018 In Partnership With Swarovski at Royal Albert Hall on December 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Maher/BFC/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 21: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits the Hubb Community Kitchen to see how funds raised by the 'Together: Our Community Cookbook' are making a difference at Al Manaar, North Kensington on November 21, 2018 in London, England. Together: Our Community Cookbook features over 50 recipes from women whose community was affected by the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits the Hubb Community Kitchen in London on November 21, 2018 to celebrate the success of their cookbook. - The kitchen was set up by women affected by the Grenfell tower fire and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wrote a foreword to the cookbook to help raise funds for the victims. (Photo by Chris Jackson / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read CHRIS JACKSON/AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 19 : (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends The Royal Variety Performance 2018 at the London Palladium on November 19, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 19 : (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend The Royal Variety Performance 2018 at the London Palladium on November 19, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 11: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend a service to mark the centenary of the Armistice at Westminster Abbey on November 11, 2018 in London, England. The Armistice ending the First World War between the Allies and Germany was signed at Compiègne, France on eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month - 11am on the 11th November 1918. This day is commemorated as Remembrance Day with special attention being paid for this year's centenary. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 31: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at Auckland War Memorial Museum for reception with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's on October 31, 2018 in Rotorua, New Zealand. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 30: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meeting fans and holding baby bump on the street during 'Walkabout' on October 30, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 30: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex seen wlaking holding baby bump whilst Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during the 'Walkabout' on October 30, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Britain's Prince Harry (C) and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (L) talk to a model wearing a garment from World of WearableArt during a visit to Courtney Creative in Wellington on October 29, 2018. - Prince Harry passed on greetings from 'our little bump' to conservation workers in New Zealand on October 29 when he and pregnant wife Meghan toured a South Island nature reserve. (Photo by HAGEN HOPKINS / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HAGEN HOPKINS/AFP/Getty Images)

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 28: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Official arrival at the Government House on October 28, 2018 in Wellington, New Zealand. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

NUKU'ALOFA, TONGA - OCTOBER 26: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Standing with King Tupou VI and Queen NanasipauÔu TukuÔaho of Tonga at the farewell with His Majesty King Tupou VI on October 26, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

NUKU'ALOFA, TONGA - OCTOBER 25: (UK OUT FOR 28 DAYS) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives at Nuku'alofa airport on October 25, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (C) arrive at Fua'amotu airport in Tonga on October 25, 2018. - Prince Harry and his pregnant wife Meghan left Fiji after a three-day official visit and arrived in Tonga as part of their tour of Australia and the South Pacific. (Photo by PETER PARKS / AFP) (Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images)

NUKU'ALOFA, TONGA - OCTOBER 25: (UK OUT FOR 28 DAYS) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits the Consular House in NukuÕalofa for a private audience with King Tupou VI and Queen NanasipauÕu on October 25, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive for their farewell ceremony at Nadi airport on October 25, 2018. - Prince Harry and his pregnant wife Meghan leave Fiji after a three-day official visit and head to Tonga as part of their tour of Australia and the South Pacific. (Photo by PETER PARKS / AFP) (Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images)

SUVA, FIJI - OCTOBER 24: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits a market on October 24, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth - Pool/Getty Images)

SUVA, FIJI - OCTOBER 23: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends a state dinner hosted by the president of the South Pacific nation Jioji Konrote at the Grand Pacific Hotel on October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

SUVA, SUVA - OCTOBER 23: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex meet with President of Fiji Jioji Konrote on the first day of their tour to Fiji on October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

The Duchess of Sussex meets members of the public during a walkabout in Rotorua in Rotorua, New Zealand, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are on the final day of their 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. (Dominic Lipinski/Pool Photo via AP)

FRASER ISLAND, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 22: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk along the picturesque Kingfisher Bay Jetty on October 22, 2018 in Fraser Island, Australia. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 19: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits Bondi Beach on October 19, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

The Duchess of Sussex arrives at Admiralty House in Sydney on the first day of the royal couple's visit to Australia Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2018. Harry and Meghan will take part in 76 engagements in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand over their 16-day trip to the Pacific region. (Phil Noble/PA via AP)

Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive to attend the wedding of Britain's Princess Eugenie of York to Jack Brooksbank at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on October 12, 2018. (Photo by Gareth Fuller / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read GARETH FULLER/AFP/Getty Images)

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According to the State Department, a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen (Meghan) and "an alien" (Harry) in wedlock acquires U.S. citizenship at birth if the American parent has lived in the U.S. for the requisite amount of time. In the case of Baby Sussex, being born after 1986, the parent’s required time period is five years, with two of those years after the age of 14, which Meghan has satisfied.

With that said, the royal baby will be born as an American citizen. Additionally, according to the U.K. government, a child born to at least one British or Irish citizen (Harry) will be a British citizen, meaning that the royal baby will essentially have "dual citizenship."

However, in order for their child to be considered a dual citizen, Harry and Meghan would have to report the birth to an American consulate, Doris Meissner, former Immigration and Naturalization Service commissioner under President Bill Clinton, tells the New York Times. That would serve as "proof of U.S. citizenship," making their child eligible to apply for a passport.

While born as an American citizen, it's unlikely the royals will do anything to officiate the status beyond that. Royal expert Kelly Lynch tells Time magazine that "the child will be fully British."

Additionally, it's believed that Meghan will eventually renounce her U.S. citizenship in order to protect the royal family's finances to audit by the IRS and have to pay double taxes. The same move would also be applied to her child. Royal expert Marlene Koenig tells Town & Country, "I would expect that when they reach adulthood, they would go through the process of renouncing… The U.S. may be the only country that taxes the income of citizens who live outside the country. Meghan may have investments that will earn income -- and even abroad, she will have to pay US income tax."

No matter what, the whole thing is unprecedented. "No one in royal history has had an American mother," Lynch says. "It will be interesting to see what happens."

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CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 18: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan Markle holds Prince Harry's hand as they visit Cardiff Castle on January 18, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 01: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan Markle attends the 'Endeavour Fund Awards' Ceremony at Goldsmiths' Hall on February 1, 2018 in London, England. The awards celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have taken part in remarkable sporting and adventure challenges over the last year. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Photo by: KGC-375/STAR MAX/IPx 2018 2/13/18 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, during their visit to Scotland.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the first annual Royal Foundation Forum held at Aviva on February 28, 2018 in London, England. Under the theme 'Making a Difference Together', the event will showcase the programmes run or initiated by The Royal Foundation. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 08: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan Markle and Prince Harry depart after visiting Nechells Wellbeing Centre on March 8, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the 2018 Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 12, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend the 2018 Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 12, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

BELFAST, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 23: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry depart after visiting the iconic Titanic Belfast during their trip to Northern Ireland on March 23, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Britain's Prince Harry's fiancee, US actress Meghan Markle attends a reception with delegates from the Commonwealth Youth Forum in central London on April 18, 2018, on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM). / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Yui Mok (Photo credit should read YUI MOK/AFP/Getty Images)

Britain's Prince Harry's fiancee, US actress Meghan Markle, attends a reception for Women's Empowerment at the Royal Aeronautical Society in central London, on the fourth day of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on April 19, 2018. (Photo by CHRIS JACKSON / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read CHRIS JACKSON/AFP/Getty Images)

Britain's Prince Harry and his US fiancee Meghan Markle attend The Queen's Birthday Party concert on the occassion of Her Majesty's 92nd birthday at the Royal Albert Hall in London on April 21, 2018. (Photo by John Stillwell / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOHN STILLWELL/AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan Markle attends the Invictus Games Reception at Australia House on April 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the 25th Anniversary Memorial Service to celebrate the life and legacy of Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields on April 23, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/GC Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend an Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on April 25, 2018 in London, England. Anzac Day commemorates Australian and New Zealand casualties and veterans of conflicts and marks the anniversary of the landings in the Dardanelles on April 25, 1915 that would signal the start of the Gallipoli Campaign during the First World War. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Meghan Markle attends an Anzac Day dawn service at Hyde Park Corner on April 25, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by GC Images)

US actress and fiancee of Britain's Prince Harry Meghan Markle arrives with her mother Doria Ragland (not pictured) at Cliveden House hotel in the village of Taplow near Windsor on May 18, 2018, the eve of her wedding to Britain's Prince Harry. - Britain's Prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle will marry on May 19 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. (Photo by STEVE PARSONS / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read STEVE PARSONS/AFP/Getty Images)

WINDSOR, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 19: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and The Duchess of Sussex leave St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle after their wedding ceremony on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

WINDSOR, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 19: Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex leave Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House, hosted by the Prince of Wales on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 22: (L-R) Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend The Prince of Wales' 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration held at Buckingham Palace on May 22, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 09: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex travel down The Mall in a horse drawn carriage during Trooping The Colour 2018 on June 9, 2018 in London, England. The annual ceremony involving over 1400 guardsmen and cavalry, is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. The parade marks the official birthday of the Sovereign, even though the Queen's actual birthday is on April 21st. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

CHESTER, ENGLAND - JUNE 14: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II depart Chester Town Hall, where they attended lunch as guests of Chester City Council on June 14, 2018 in Chester, England. Meghan Markle married Prince Harry last month to become The Duchess of Sussex and this is her first engagement with the Queen. During the visit the pair opened a road bridge in Widnes and visited The Storyhouse in Chester. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

ASCOT, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 19: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend day 1 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 19, 2018 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Britain's Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, right, delivers a speech and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex applauds as they attend the 'Your Commonwealth' Youth Challenge reception where they will meet youngsters from across the Commonwealth, at Marlborough House in London, Thursday July 5, 2018. (Yui Mok/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave after the christening of Britain's Prince Louis of Cambridge at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London on July 9, 2018. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read DOMINIC LIPINSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 1O: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wearing a dark navy Dior dress and a hat by milliner Stephen Jones, attend a service at Westminster Abbey to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force (RAF) on July 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex arrive to meet with the Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, right, at government buildings in Dublin, Ireland, Tuesday, July 10, 2018. The Royal couple arrived in the Irish capital for a two day visit. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex arrives with Prince Harry to meet Ireland's President Michael Higgins at Aras an Uactharain, on the second day of the Royal couple's visit to Dublin, Ireland, Wednesday July 11, 2018. (Joe Giddens/PA via AP)

DUBLIN, SCOTLAND - JULY 11: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Famine Memorial on the bank of the River Liffey during their visit to Ireland on July 11, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - JULY 10: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a reception at Glencairn, the residence of Robin Barnett, the British Ambassador to Ireland during day one of their visit to Ireland on July 10, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Geoff Pugh - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

FRENSHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 04: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the wedding of Charlie Van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks on August 4, 2018 in Frensham, United Kingdom. Prince Harry attended the same prep school as Charlie van Straubenzee and have been good friends ever since. (Photo by Antony Jones/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex speak with writer Lin Manuel Miranda and others from Sentibale as they attend a gala performance of 'Hamilton' in support of Sentebale at Victoria Palace Theatre on August 29, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Charity - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the WellChild Awards at Royal Lancaster Hotel on September 4, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Ricky Vigil/GC Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 06: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends the '100 Days of Peace' concert to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War at Central Hall Westminster on September 6, 2018 in London, England. The evening will benefit three mental health charities 'Heroes', 'Combat Stress' and 'Heads Together'. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (C) arrives with her mother Doria Ragland (L) and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex to host an event to mark the launch of a cookbook with recipes from a group of women affected by the Grenfell Tower fire at Kensington Palace on September 20, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 25: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives to open 'Oceania' at the Royal Academy of Arts on September 25, 2018 in London, England. 'Oceania' is the first-ever major survey of Oceanic art to be held in the United Kingdom. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Photo by: KGC-22/starmaxinc.com STAR MAX ©2018 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Telephone/Fax: (212) 995-1196 10/3/18 Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex and Duchess Meghan of Sussex make their first joint official visit to Sussex. The Duke and Duchess will visit Edes House, located at the heart of Chichester which is the county town of West Sussex. At Edes House Their Royal Highnesses will be shown the rare Sussex copy of the American Declaration of Independence. The Sussex Declaration is one of only two contemporary handwritten ceremonial manuscript copies, the other being the signed copy housed in the National Archives in Washington D.C.. The couple will also do a Walkabout.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives ahead of the wedding of Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, near London, England, Friday Oct. 12, 2018. (Gareth Fuller/Pool via AP)

EXCLUSIVE Prince Harry and Meghan , The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet with The Honorable Sir Peter Cosgrove, Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia and his wife Lady Cosgrove at Admiralty House during the 1st day of their visit 1st official royal visit and on the day that they announced they were having a baby 16 October 2018.Vantage News/IPx

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, talks to Australian Singer Missy Higgins, with her 9 week old baby Lunar, during a afternoon reception hosted by the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are on a 16-day tour of Australia and the South Pacific.(Andrew Parsons/Pool via AP)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 18: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends the This Girl Can campaign at Government House on October 18, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 19: (NO UK SALES FOR 28 DAYS) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Bondi beach on October 19, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

FRASER ISLAND, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 22: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex walk along Kingfisher Bay Jetty during a visit to Fraser Island on October 22, 2018 on Fraser Island, Australia. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth - Pool/Getty Images)

SUVA, FIJI - OCTOBER 23: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a state dinner hosted by the president of the South Pacific nation Jioji Konrote at the Grand Pacific Hotel on October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are on day nine of their 16-day tour of Australia and the South Pacific (Phil Noble/Pool Photo via AP)

NUKU'ALOFA, TONGA - OCTOBER 26: (UK OUT FOR 28 DAYS) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho of Tonga on October 26, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 26: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Australian Geographic Society Awards to present youth awards to honour the highest achievements in conservation and adventure at the Grand Ballroom, Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney on October 26, 2018. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are on day 11 of their 16-day tour of Australia and the South Pacific. (Photo by Paul Edwards - Pool/Getty Images)

Britain's Prince Harry (2nd L) and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (L) are presented with a gift from a performer dressed as an Orc during a visit to Courtney Creative in Wellington on October 29, 2018. - Prince Harry passed on greetings from 'our little bump' to conservation workers in New Zealand on October 29 when he and pregnant wife Meghan toured a South Island nature reserve. (Photo by HAGEN HOPKINS / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HAGEN HOPKINS/AFP/Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive for a public walkabout at the Rotorua Government Gardens in Rotorua on October 31, 2018. - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a three-week tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP/Getty Images)

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, left, and Prince Harry arrive at Westminster Abbey to attend the National Service to mark the Centenary of the Armistice in London, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018. The cessation of hostilities in WWI ended on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,1918. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex on stage during The Fashion Awards 2018 In Partnership With Swarovski at Royal Albert Hall on December 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/BFC/Getty Images)

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Will Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's baby be an American citizen? Here's what we know - AOL

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