It’s the birth of the year, and the due date is getting nearer. Mum-to-be Kate Middleton and her husband, Prince William, are releasing some information about the impending happy event.
Here is the latest news about the baby who will be third in line to the British throne and may, one day, be Queen or King of Australia and New Zealand - after granddad Prince Charles and dad Prince William.
Princess or Prince?
That’s the big question everyone’s waiting for. One English woman told the media months ago that she thinks it’s a girl as Kate almost said the ‘d’ word – daughter – when accepting a gift from her during a Royal meet-and-greet.
An official unofficial Palace spokesperson says Prince William and Kate do not know the gender and do not intend to find out beforehand.
Will the dad be present?
It seems so. Prince William “fully intends to be present at the birth” which is expected to take place in the private wing of St Mary’s hospital in central London. Both William and his brother, Harry, were born there. The private hospital costs around $9,000 a night.
Cameras are already lined-up outside, just in case Kate goes into labor early, and to get prime position for the moment when she walks out with the baby prince or princess in arms.
Who’s in charge?
Now is not the time to get into a debate about who the most important people are in the delivery room besides the mother and baby …. but the medical team will be led by Royal gynaecologist, Dr Marcus Setchell.
How will we know she’s in hospital?
The Palace will let us know! The public will be told once she has settled into her room which, if all goes to plan, will be in the early stages of labor.
How do we know when the baby is born?
It will be a mix of the old and the new. Traditionally, a royal aide will emerge from the hospital with a signed bulletin on foolscap-sized paper carrying the Buckingham Palace letterhead. The bulletin will be given to an official who will be driven to the Palace where it will be posted on an easel in public view in front of the building.
At the same time the bulletin is posted, there will be an announcement on Twitter and the media will be formally notified. The document will give the baby's gender, weight and time of birth.
What about the name?
Officials said they don't know how quickly a name will be chosen. When William was born, it took a week before his name was announced.
Can we visit?
Well, no. But members of the Middleton family and the Royal family are expected to visit. The Queen is unlikely to do so as she’s on holiday in Scotland.
Does Prince William get parental leave?
Yes, as a serving Defence Force member, he’s entitled to two weeks paternity leave which he plans taking before returning to his military duties as a search and rescue pilot based in Wales.
What will Kate and William be like as parents?
Seasoned royal watchers suggest they’ll emulate Kate’s upbringing and William’s mother, Diana, rather than the Royals themselves. They have both said they want the baby to have as “normal an upbringing as possible”. Diana went to great lengths to give her boys a childhood that was fairly low-key considering the spotlight they were under; and Kate will be determined to do the same.
Tips for baby names?
All sorts of theories and suggestions abound. The baby will have multiple names and will reflect tradition. Popular suggestions include:
- Elizabeth, Charlotte, Alexandra, Diana if a girl, and
- Philip, David, James, Charles if a boy.
What would you name the Royal Baby?
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