"Meghan hopes and prays that the baby will bring her family back together."

Meghan Markle is reportedly considering "extending an olive branch" to her estranged family members - including her father, Thomas - after the birth of her first child next month. The Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry are expecting their first child in just a few weeks time. And while the mum-to-be is said to have been left upset after months and months of her relatives talking to the media, an insider told the Daily Mail that she hopes the brith of her and Prince Harry's boy or girl will be the start of a new chapter. They explained that the mum-to-be "understands the pressures of intense media scrutiny" and that she is "saddened" by what her family has been going through. The source added:

"She plans to extend an olive branch to the family and invite them to visit after the baby is born – her sister [Samantha Markle] included.

"Meghan hopes and prays that the baby will bring her family back together."

The source, said to be a friend of Meghan's, claimed that the Duchess hopes her family members will use their newfound spotlight to "make a difference rather than criticise her". The insider also told the publication how the Duchess was confused by her family's requests for her to spend more time with them. They said that her former life in Hollywood kept her away from her family for long periods of time, but they had always supported her then. They said:

"Meghan’s family is well aware that she has always been busy and have always supported her efforts in the past, despite it leaving her little time to spend with them.

"Her royal duties have kept her incredibly busy and she takes her new responsibilities very seriously."