• Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced they are expecting their first child.
• The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to become parents in the spring.
• Meghan has opened up in the past about wanting to become a mom, and she already has a gift waiting for a future daughter.
• She also shared the book she can't wait to read to her children.

The Duchess of Sussex is preparing to be a first-time mom. On Monday, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced they were expecting their first child together, in spring 2019.

Naturally, royal fans went wild with speculation. What would her mother, Doria Ragland, be like as a grandmother? What will the future royal kid’s title be? Could she or he also be president of the United States?

Lots of thoee questions don’t quite have answers just yet. But what we do know is what Meghan has said about motherhood before—and it’s clear being a mom has been on her mind over the years. Here are the sweet things she said about starting a family, even before she met Harry.

Being a mom was on her bucket list.

VICTORIA JONES//Getty Images

In a 2015 interview with Best Life magazine, Meghan was asked what she hopes for her future. “Other bucket-list items: I want to travel more and I can’t wait to start a family, but in due time,” she said.

Cartier Cartier Women's Tank Francaise Watch

She already has a gift in mind for a daughter.

Meghan purchased a Cartier French Tank watch when she found out Suits was renewed for a third season, she told Hello! in 2015. “I totally splurged and bought the two-tone version,” she said. “I had it engraved on the back, ‘To M.M. From M.M.” and I plan to give it to my daughter one day.”

Motherhood was a “dream” of hers.

She said after becoming a successful actress, next for her was putting down roots and having children. “I dreamt [of becoming] a successful working actress, which I can now very thankfully tick off the list. And I also dream to have a family,” she told Lifestyle magazine in 2016. “It’s all about balance, and I have so much happiness in my career and am fortunate to travel the world and see so many amazing things—it will also be nice to be anchored to something grounded and in the same place. Raising a family will be a wonderful part of that.”

She can't wait to share this classic book with her future children.

During an interview on the set of Suits published to the show's Youtube page in 2015, Meghan revealed she can't wait to read Shel Silverstein's classic picture book The Giving Tree to her future children.

Shel Silverstein The Giving Tree

Now 45% Off

She's already considering what to buy.

Chris Jackson//Getty Images

Back in March, when the couple visited Belfast, Northern Ireland, she hinted at her plans to have children with Prince Harry. She and Harry were talking to entrepreneurs who make baby products, and they checked out their line of offerings. “I am sure at one point we will need the whole thing,” she said, according to Hello!. “It’s very sweet.”

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qa3RqZyrq5KWx6Kt0WeaqKVfmLKtscGroK2xX6GutbHSrWaaamNshXd8lXFmpp2Xna6vecyaqaSklWK9s7HGp5inm6liurDAx56poaefmXqywc6tnKxn