'The Brexit baby' - How the world reacted to Royal baby news

The announcement that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting a baby prompted joyous international responses, including European suggestions that it would lift the post-Brexit mood in Britain and a promise by New Zealand’s leader – and recent mother - Jacinda Ardern not to offer parental advice.

Congratulations and expressions of goodwill poured in from well-wishers and leaders around the world.

In India, the Deccan Chronicle declared on its front page: “Stork calling Harry, Meghan”, while the premier of Australia’s state of Queensland, Annastacia Palaszcuzk, invited public suggestions for a present. “A bilby perhaps?"   she said, referring to  a rabbit-like native mammal.

In the Netherlands, the local edition of Vogue quickly assembled a slideshow of the Duchess of Sussex’s various pregnancy looks and outfits.

Vogue France, meanwhile, drew up an "ideal birth present list", including a week's worth of Stella McCartney Kids bibs at €75 for the set. But French papers otherwise kept remarkably quiet about the announcement.

Corriere della Sera, one of Italy's leading dailies, devoted most of a page to the royal baby, calling the birth "a new test for Prince Harry".

"They've already called it 'the Brexit baby' because it will be born in April, immediately after Great Britain's departure from the EU at the end of March," the newspaper wrote. "And there is no doubt that the child of Harry and Meghan will help to lift the mood of the British, as well as injecting fresh blood into the monarchy.”

Ms Ardern, who recently became only the second leader in modern history to have a baby in office – after Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto - said she was looking forward to congratulating the royal couple when they arrive in New Zealand.

But she indicated she would refrain from sharing parental tips. “One thing that you learn is everyone’s got advice and I love that, I love that everyone has got something to share their tips and tricks,” she told TVNZ 1's Breakfast. “Not everyone necessarily will want advice.”

In Australia,  where the couple are touring, the announcement prompted a frenzied response. Crowds spent hours queuing to see the pair at the Opera House, where 98-year-old Daphne Dunne chatted with the prince and later told a reporter: “I’m sorry he’s taken.”

The Duchess of Sussex told Ms Dunne, who has attended two previous visits by the prince: “Hopefully next time we see you we’ll have a little one with us.”

Australian newspapers ran front-page coverage of the announcement.  “Heir dinkum,” said Sydney tabloid, The Daily Telegraph. “You heard it here first!”. 

The Sydney Morning Herald’s front page declared: “A smooth ride to Sydney, but royals reveal bump on the way”.   Some commentators suggested that the visit by the pair might set back Australia’s republican cause.

“There is no doubt the next generation of royals are cementing the monarchy’s place in the hearts of Australians, much to the chagrin of republicans, who just can’t compete with the sparkle,” said Miranda Devine in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph. 

In the United States, there was a limited response to the baby news. President Donald Trump, who tweeted about Princess Eugenie's wedding over the weekend, was notably silent on the announcement. 

Meanwhile the New York Times touched on Australia's complicated relationship with the Royal family, reporting that Royal trips can be a bit of a sticking point in the country - since tax payers' foot the bill.

Bishop Michael Curry, who became a star of the Royal Wedding in May after delivering a rousing sermon, also gave his congratulations. "May God bless and keep you," he said.