Will Harry need to sprint from the marathon? Dad-to-be Prince makes unannounced appearance at London race to cheer on runners despite Baby Sussex being due any moment now

  • Prince Harry appeared at the finish of the 39th edition of the famous race on Sunday to cheer on competitors 
  • His wife Meghan is currently at home at Frogmore Cottage and is expecting their child in the coming days
  • Sir Mo Farah failed to win his first ever London Marathon today after several attempts at the famous race  
  • Farah's preparations have been marred by an extraordinary row with former distance star Haile Gebrselassie 

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The Duke of Sussex made a surprise visit to the London Marathon to meet volunteers, watch the runners and present medals to the marathon and wheelchair winners - despite rumours of his pregnant wife Meghan could give birth imminently.

It is understood Harry had always planned to go but with the birth of his child due around this period it was not announced in advance.

The Duke's presence suggests wife Meghan, who is at their Frogmore Cottage home on the Windsor Castle estate, is not expected to give birth imminently.  

Earlier on Sunday, Prince William admitted he has 'no idea' whether baby Sussex is imminent amid speculation Meghan could give birth any day now - with some sources even citing today as the Duchess' due date. 

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The Duke of Sussex poses for a picture with Great Britain's Derek Rae (left), Australia's Michael Roeger and El Harti (right) after they received their medals

The Duke of Sussex poses for a picture with Great Britain's Derek Rae (left), Australia's Michael Roeger and El Harti (right) after they received their medals

Harry poses with men's race winner Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge (left) and women's race winner, Kenya's Brigid Kosgei

Harry poses with men's race winner Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge (left) and women's race winner, Kenya's Brigid Kosgei

Harry presenting awards on Sunday
The Duke of Sussex at the awards ceremony

The Duke's wife Meghan is at their Frogmore Cottage home on the Windsor Castle estate, but is reportedly not expected to give birth imminently

While Prince William was paying tribute to victims of the Christchurch terror attack, he said: 'I haven't got my phone on me - I have no idea. You guys will find out before I do at this rate,' the Mirror reported.

William was also heard joking with the crowd that his role as a father left him so sleep deprived that he no longer suffers jet lag.

He said: 'What jet lag? I've got three children now. Jet lag doesn't happen.'

Meghan has been staying close to Frogmore Cottage, Windsor, with mother Doria Ragland at her side for more than a week.

Speculation has been rife that Meghan and Harry's first child, whose sex remains a mystery, could be due very soon.

Sir Mo Farah meanwhile failed his bid to win a first London Marathon as he came fifth with a time of 2:05:38 behind Kenyan winner Eliud Kipchoge who finished in 2:02:36. 

Farah's preparations have been marred by an extraordinary row with former distance star Haile Gebrselassie over an alleged robbery in the hotel owned by the retired Ethiopian. 

Prince Harry appears at the finish line of the 2019 London Marathon in a surprise appearance. Pictured: Harry in discussions with volunteers

Prince Harry appears at the finish line of the 2019 London Marathon in a surprise appearance. Pictured: Harry in discussions with volunteers

Harry was joined by Peter Phillips, the elder child and only son of Anne, Princess Royal, and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, on the finish line

Harry was joined by Peter Phillips, the elder child and only son of Anne, Princess Royal, and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, on the finish line

Harry greets a member of the public
Harry milling around on the finish line

The Duke of Sussex was pictured meeting members of the public as he waited for the elite men to finish the race on Sunday

Prince Harry presenting the awards to the mens and womens wheelchair race winners. Manuela Schar of Switzerland won the women's wheelchair race. In the men's wheelchair race, Daniel Romanchuk of the US won the top prize

Prince Harry presenting the awards to the mens and womens wheelchair race winners. Manuela Schar of Switzerland won the women's wheelchair race. In the men's wheelchair race, Daniel Romanchuk of the US won the top prize

A dejected Sir Mo Farah crosses the finish line in fifth place at the London Marathon on Sunday afternoon, finishing with a time of 2:05:38

A dejected Sir Mo Farah crosses the finish line in fifth place at the London Marathon on Sunday afternoon, finishing with a time of 2:05:38

Mo Farah with his wife Tania Nell embrace at the end of the race. Farah had been aiming to score his maiden victory in the event

Mo Farah with his wife Tania Nell embrace at the end of the race. Farah had been aiming to score his maiden victory in the event

Kenya's World record holder Eliud Kipchoge won the race by some distance with a remarkable time of 2:02:36

Kenya's World record holder Eliud Kipchoge won the race by some distance with a remarkable time of 2:02:36

Kipchoge, center, poses with second place winner Ethiopia's Mosinet Geremew, right, and third place winner Ethiopia's Mule Wasihun

Kipchoge, center, poses with second place winner Ethiopia's Mosinet Geremew, right, and third place winner Ethiopia's Mule Wasihun

Kipchoge, the Olympic champion who holds the course record, won his fourth race in five years.

Brigid Kosgei, 25, of Kenya won the women's race while Manuela Schar of Switzerland won the women's wheelchair race. In the men's wheelchair race, Daniel Romanchuk of the US won the top prize. 

The feud between Farah and Gebrselassie deepened earlier this week after he hit the Ethiopian double gold medalist with a new £9,000 compensation bill.

Sir Mo, 36, claimed he had been the victim of robbery while staying at the resort, but Gebrselassie said he had left without settling his bill after attacking two other athletes – Sisay Tsegaye and his wife Dagmawit Kibiru.

Sir Mo’s coach Gary Lough then said the athlete had been acting in self-defence.

Farah instructed his lawyers to demand the money after his watch and cash were stolen from a hotel owned by Gebrselassie.

But the Ethiopian double Olympic gold medalist hit back saying: ‘I beat him in a race. I don’t even know where he finished then. He still cannot win against me today.’

Farah has sent a claim through Ethiopian lawyers demanding 323,451.48 Birr (£9241) for the loss of his valuables.

Gebrselassie showed off the legal claim as well as the text message Farah sent him warning him he was going to alert the media to the incident.

Farah duly told a London Marathon press conference on Wednesday about the hotel room theft and revealed he believed Gebrselassie had not paid the matter the attention it deserved. 

Sir Mo appeared to be falling behind the leading pack of five runners at the halfway point in Sunday's race led by record holder Eliud Kipchoge

Sir Mo appeared to be falling behind the leading pack of five runners at the halfway point in Sunday's race led by record holder Eliud Kipchoge

Farah, wearing a competitor's jersey saying 'Sir Mo', runs alongside the other elite men during the race on Sunday morning

Farah, wearing a competitor's jersey saying 'Sir Mo', runs alongside the other elite men during the race on Sunday morning

Mo running in the marathon on Sunday
Mo Farah running alongside other elite competitors

Sir Mo has had a turbulent buildup to this year's marathon after an extraordinary row with former distance star Haile Gebrselassie over an alleged robbery in the hotel owned by the retired Ethiopian

Former BBC Radio 2 host Chris Evans on the starting line wearing sunglasses as he prepares to take on the mammoth challenge

Former BBC Radio 2 host Chris Evans on the starting line wearing sunglasses as he prepares to take on the mammoth challenge

A runner dressed as a clown
A runner dressed as Spiderman

Runners turned out in an array of fancy dress as they took on the race. Left: A runner dressed as a clown. Right: Another competitor dressed as Spiderman

Mo Farah (pictured warming up on the startline today) had been hoping to win the Elite Men's race in the London Marathon today

Mo Farah (pictured warming up on the startline today) had been hoping to win the Elite Men's race in the London Marathon today

Sir Mo Farah (centre) runs alongside the other elite competitors in this year's race as he begins the Marathon on Sunday morning

Sir Mo Farah (centre) runs alongside the other elite competitors in this year's race as he begins the Marathon on Sunday morning

Scores of runners jostle for position on the crowded startline of the men's elite race in Greenwich Park

Scores of runners jostle for position on the crowded startline of the men's elite race in Greenwich Park

Former world number one tennis great Andy Murray standing on the start line on Sunday morning

Former world number one tennis great Andy Murray standing on the start line on Sunday morning

Pace runners run alongside regular competitors to provide them a gauge for what speed they should be running

Pace runners run alongside regular competitors to provide them a gauge for what speed they should be running

Sir Mo Farah applauds as organisers announce the start of the race and prepare to fire the starting gun on the 39th edition of the famous race

Sir Mo Farah applauds as organisers announce the start of the race and prepare to fire the starting gun on the 39th edition of the famous race

Forecasters believe this year's edition will remain dry, putting it in stark contrast to last year's race which was the hottest on record

Forecasters believe this year's edition will remain dry, putting it in stark contrast to last year's race which was the hottest on record

The text message ended years of friendship with Gebrselassie declaring he now regarded Farah, a four times Olympic gold medalist, as his ‘enemy.’

Farah's coach Gary Lough said he felt he could turn the negative headlines surrounding the hotel incident into a positive.

Lough told the BBC: 'He's not shy at having a little bit of a distraction. I'm a bit disappointed that some of the stuff is kind of questioning his reputation, his character.

'Maybe it didn't come out in the right way but for him to get it off his chest and to be able to focus on this is by far for me the best scenario this week.'

Lough added: 'There have been a lot of allegations, mostly unfounded, exaggeration.

'It's not all lies, Mo's not an angel. There was a little bit of something that happened.'

Earlier this week, the duty manager at the hotel claimed Farah was nearly thrown in jail over the incident - which would have jeapordised his participation in today's marathon.

Mamo Alemu was on duty as manager at the Yaya Africa Athletics Village last month and said: ‘When I arrived at the gym, it was chaos. The police had been called and the first thing they said was, ‘‘Mo is going to be arrested and taken into custody’’. 

A spokeswoman for Sir Mo, however, denied the athlete had been close to being arrested. 

Daniel Romanchuk of the U.S. wins the men's wheelchair race having set off earlier than the men's runners

Daniel Romanchuk of the U.S. wins the men's wheelchair race having set off earlier than the men's runners

Romanchuk leading Japan's Tomoki Suzuki around the gruelling course as they vied for the title in the wheelchair category

Romanchuk leading Japan's Tomoki Suzuki around the gruelling course as they vied for the title in the wheelchair category

Daniel Romanchuk of the U.S. celebrates winning the men's wheelchair race with Japan's Tomoki Suzuki and Switzerland's Marcel Hug

Daniel Romanchuk of the U.S. celebrates winning the men's wheelchair race with Japan's Tomoki Suzuki and Switzerland's Marcel Hug

Manuela Schar of Switzerland crosses the line to win the Women's Elite Wheelchair race during the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon

Manuela Schar of Switzerland crosses the line to win the Women's Elite Wheelchair race during the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon

Runners at the start of the Women's London Marathon which got underway this morning

Runners at the start of the Women's London Marathon which got underway this morning

Runners in the elite women's race set off from the start line on Sunday morning

Runners in the elite women's race set off from the start line on Sunday morning

A runner gestures towards the cameras as he begins the arduous 26 mile race through central London

A runner gestures towards the cameras as he begins the arduous 26 mile race through central London

Tens of thousands of runners will take part in the 39th edition of the marathon, with money raised since the event began set to surpass £1 billion. 

The event started with the Elite Wheelchair race at 9.05am before the World Para Athletics Marathon Championships Ambulant Athletes start five minutes later, followed by the Elite Women at 9.25am.

The Elite Men's race started at 10.10am along with the British Athletics and England Athletics Marathon Championships and Mass Race.

Runners and racers are set for a chilly start before the tail end of Storm Hannah makes way for sunny spells, the Met Office said.  

Amateur racers taking part range from a hero police officer who responded to the London Bridge terror attacks to the husband of EastEnders star Dame Barbara Windsor.

Pc Leon McLeod, 31, hopes to raise £10,000 for PTSD999, the charity which helped treat his post traumatic stress disorder after the attacks.

Crowds watch on as runners begin the race shortly after the elite runners started as grey skies linger overhead

Crowds watch on as runners begin the race shortly after the elite runners started as grey skies linger overhead

A runner representing the Mind mental health charity takes a selfie as she begins the epic event on Sunday morning

A runner representing the Mind mental health charity takes a selfie as she begins the epic event on Sunday morning

Candice Brown during the race
Candice Brown running on Sunday

The event starts with the Elite Wheelchair race at 9.05am before the World Para Athletics Marathon Championships Ambulant Athletes start five minutes later

The event starts with the Elite Wheelchair race at 9.05am before the World Para Athletics Marathon Championships Ambulant Athletes start five minutes later

Dame Barbara's husband, Scott Mitchell, who turns 56 on marathon day, has already helped raise £100,000 for Dementia Revolution, the 2019 Charity of the Year for the event.

Official figures from the Virgin Money London Marathon say the event has raised a total of more than £955 million for charities since the first in 1981.

Event director Hugh Brashner said: 'No other mass participation event comes anywhere near this kind of fundraising.' 

Sir Richard Branson wished the London Marathon participants good luck in a social media post on Sunday.

Wow: Since its inaugural run in 1981, the event has raised over £1 billion for charity, according to race sponsors Virgin Money

Wow: Since its inaugural run in 1981, the event has raised over £1 billion for charity, according to race sponsors Virgin Money

Second time: Gordon Ramsey's 19-year-old son Jack (pictured with his newborn brother Oscar), is running for Great Ormond Street
Impressive: Blonde beauty Helen is supporting Prostate Cancer UK

Honourable: Gordon Ramsey's 19-year-old son Jack (left, pictured with his newborn brother Oscar) is running for Great Ormond Street, while Helen (right) is supporting Prostate Cancer UK

High spirits: Chris Evans (centre), Kirsty (bottom left) and Helen (bottom right) joined Team Barbara's Revolutionaries (left to right) Jamie Borthwick, Jake Wood, Emma Barton, Kellie Shirley, Tanya Franks, Scott, Natalie and Candice at the event

High spirits: Chris Evans (centre), Kirsty (bottom left) and Helen (bottom right) joined Team Barbara's Revolutionaries (left to right) Jamie Borthwick, Jake Wood, Emma Barton, Kellie Shirley, Tanya Franks, Scott, Natalie and Candice at the event

Excited: Kirsty, 43, revealed she loves keeping fit ahead of her first London Marathon run
Fitness enthusiast: Nell, 45, became an accomplished amateur athlete following a successful modelling career

Excited: Kirsty, 43, revealed she loves keeping fit ahead of her first London Marathon run, while Nell, 45, became an accomplished amateur athlete following a successful modelling career 

Close pals: The presenters appeared delighted as they shared a hug in front of the cameras before tackling the challenging task

Close pals: The presenters appeared delighted as they shared a hug in front of the cameras before tackling the challenging task

Former French professional tennis player Amelie Mauresmo is among those competing this year

Former French professional tennis player Amelie Mauresmo is among those competing this year 

The Virgin boss tweeted a photo of himself running at the 2010 event wearing butterfly wings.

He commented: 'Good luck to everyone running the @VirginMoney @LondonMarathon. Remember, don't worry if you fall flat on your face - at least you're moving forward! £VirginFamily'

Runners are expected to have favourable weather for running and racing through the capital.

Temperatures are expected to peak at around 16C (61F) on Sunday afternoon, while rain will be limited to a passing light shower or two and winds will be breezy at most.

Air pollution, the pollen count and ultraviolet (UV) levels are forecast to be low to moderate.

Weight loss: Natalie, 35, highlighted her slimmed down physique as she slipped into a clingy sky blue T-shirt, tied in with skintight cropped leggings and a baseball cap
Important cause: The actress is running in honour of former soap star Dame Barbara Windsor, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2014 (pictured left with husband Scott Mitchell in 2017)

Important cause: Natalie, 35, is running in honour of former soap star Dame Barbara Windsor, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2014 (pictured left with husband Scott Mitchell in 2017)

Star-studded: Kirsty Gallacher started training mid-January in preparation for the event, on behalf of the SafeHands for Mothers charity
Working hard: Nell McAndrew, who has taken part in the marathon five times, grinned from ear-to-ear ahead of the run
Regular face: Jenni Falconer sported a white T-shirt and black cropped leggings at the event

Star-studded: Kirsty Gallacher (left), Nell McAndrew (centre) and Jenni Falconer (right) were also in attendance

Great cause: The chef and the former Blue Peter presenter, 35, ensured they were prepared to power through the gruelling 26-mile run as they donned appropriately sporty ensembles
Great cause: The chef and the former Blue Peter presenter, 35, ensured they were prepared to power through the gruelling 26-mile run as they donned appropriately sporty ensembles

Great cause: The chef and the former Blue Peter presenter, 35, ensured they were prepared to power through the gruelling 26-mile run as they donned appropriately sporty ensembles

Gearing up: She has been gearing up to take on the long-distance running event for months in honour of her late grandfather Fred, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease

Gearing up: She has been gearing up to take on the long-distance running event for months in honour of her late grandfather Fred, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease

Impressive: Candice Brown appeared in high spirits as she joined fellow celebrity runners Natalie Cassidy and Helen Skelton at the London Marathon on Sunday, in support of the event's main charity this year, Dementia Revolution
Honour: EastEnders star Natalie will run for dementia campaign Barbara's Revolutionaries, in honour of former co-star Barbara Windsor, 81, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2014
She knows what she's doing: This year marks Helen's third London Marathon, after making her debut back in 2009

Impressive: Candice Brown (left) appeared in high spirits as she joined fellow celebrity runners Natalie Cassidy (centre) and Helen Skelton (right) at the London Marathon on Sunday, in support of the event's main charity this year, Dementia Revolution

A runner heading to the starting line on the tube on Sunday morning ahead of the marathon

A runner heading to the starting line on the tube on Sunday morning ahead of the marathon

The first race, the Elite Wheelchair, is due to begin at 9.05am, while the main race is scheduled to begin at 10.10am.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burhill said there will be a chilly start for everyone gathering in Greenwich, although temperatures will climb into the teens.

'It will be a little bit cloudy at first, but things should brighten up as we go through the morning and into the afternoon with some sunny spells developing,' he told the Press Association.

'There's a chance of the odd shower, but it will be just one or two light showers nothing more than that.

'It's going to be less windy than yesterday; it will be a bit breezy, but we are only talking gusts of 15-20mph so nothing especially strong.

'Temperatures will be around 8C (46F) to 9C (48F) when people are starting, but by early afternoon we are looking at highs of 15C (59F) or 16C (61F).

The 2018 London Marathon was hottest on record, with temperatures reaching 23.2C (73.8F) in central London. 

Woman to run marathon dressed as a giant boob 

A woman will run the 26-mile London marathon today dressed as a giant boob.

Suzy Hawker, 52, of Hove, said best friend Georgia Carrick, 38, has just finished treatment for breast cancer.

So Suzy has decided to run the entire 26.2 miles through the capital's streets dressed as a giant breast.

She said 'Our lovely friend Georgia was diagnosed with breast cancer in August last year and endured months of intense chemotherapy.

Suzy Hawker dressed as a giant breast in solidarity with best friend Georgia Carrick, 38, who has just finished treatment for breast cancer

Suzy Hawker dressed as a giant breast in solidarity with best friend Georgia Carrick, 38, who has just finished treatment for breast cancer

'She's a keen runner and a committed Parkrun Co event director.

'She achieved her 100th Parkrun midway through her treatment, and her first chemo running medal at the Brighton Santa Dash on December 8 last year.'

Suzy is raising money for cancer charity Macmillan but will be dressed as the boob to show her support for Georgia.

She said 'What an inspiration she truly is. She received the best possible news on March 13 when she heard that following her treatment there was no evidence of cancer.

'My husband's goddaughter was diagnosed with cancer when she was nine and she sadly didn't make it. She died when she was only 11 years old.

'And I know people who are still living with it' added Suzy, an experienced runner who has completed several marathons before.

'The distance for me isn't a problem.

Suzy is raising money for cancer charity Macmillan but will be dressed as the boob to show her support for Georgia

Suzy is raising money for cancer charity Macmillan but will be dressed as the boob to show her support for Georgia

'But I've never tried to run a marathon dressed up...and dressed up as a boob for that matter.

'I am going to go to the Macmillan tent to see if there are other boobies doing the race.

'The nice thing about doing it in a costume is it won't be as stressful.

'It doesn't really matter what time you finish in because you're dressed as a breast' said Suzy who recently became a run director for Parkrun.

She met Georgia, a Parkrun event co-director, through the group.

'Georgia is so great at motivating people. She is an inspiration, especially given what she's been through.'

Georgia said 'I wish Suzy luck for Sunday and I will be there supporting her, like she has supported me through my treatment.'

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Prince Harry makes unannounced appearance at London marathon

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