Even though Meghan Markle is pregnant and her first baby is expected to arrive in spring 2019, the Duchess of Sussex has shown no signs of slowing down. According to a new Vanity Fair report, the 37-year-old is so serious about her royal work that she recently “told aides she wants to work as close to her due date next spring as possible.”

Not only does Meghan allegedly want to work as late into her pregnancy as she can, but she is also supposedly already cooking up plans for new projects. “She is expected to announce a collaboration with at least one more charity by the end of the year,” the magazine revealed. While this may come as a shock to some, it allegedly doesn’t surprise palace aides at all.

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Apparently, the pregnant Duchess’ work ethic has been overwhelming for the royal staff. “It is said palace staff have never experienced anything remotely like Meghan’s formidable work ethic, matched only by the incessant stream of ideas about how to shape her role,” the Daily Mail recently reported.

As Meghan approaches the halfway point of her pregnancy — which should be soon if it hasn’t passed already — many people are wondering if the former actress will be taking a maternity leave. If she follows in her sister-in-law Kate Middleton‘s footsteps, then she will likely take a leave of absence before and after her little bundle of joy arrives.

At this stage, it’s unclear what exactly Meghan plans to do, but it’s likely she’ll take some sort of maternity leave from her royal duties next year. As far as the timing goes, that is completely up to Meg, especially since there are no rules in place for how much time off new royal moms need to take.

Whether or not Meg decides to take time off for the couple’s future child, we know her husband, Prince Harry, will support his lady either way. It’s been reported that Harry, 34, is prepared to help Meghan in any way that he can. “lf Meghan has any requests, they’ll be met. And Harry has already shown how protective he is of her,” an insider recently told Closer UK. “lf he wants to be by Meghan’s side after the baby is born, throughout her whole maternity leave, he’ll do it.”

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It looks like the mom-to-be is already asking for favors as the couple’s planned trip to Africa has now turned into a solo trip for the red-headed royal. Harry is reportedly now on that tour of Africa alone because Meghan has concerns over the Zika virus. “As far as those on the ground in Zambia were concerned both Meghan and Harry were going,” an insider explained to The Sun. “But Meghan is exhausted and, understandably, expressed serious concerns about traveling to a country with even the smallest Zika threat.”

We hope Meghan decides to do what’s best for her and her baby, even if maternity leave means we get to see less of her for a little while!

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