Oh baby: Third time’s a charm for royal couple
THE birth of Prince William and his wife Catherine’s third child will kick off a month of royal euphoria in Britain as the country gears up to celebrate the new baby, the Queen’s 92nd birthday, and the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
While there has been much less media attention for the Duchess of Cambridge’s third pregnancy compared with when she gave birth to Prince George, now four, and Princess Charlotte, two, royal watchers are still excitedly awaiting the new arrival. Here’s what we already know about the new prince or princess:
WHEN IS THE BABY DUE?
In an announcement in October, Kensington Palace said the baby was due in April.
While an exact date was not announced, parking restrictions outside the Lindo Wing have been put in place and commentators are expecting the baby to be born any day.
British media have been predicting the new baby will be born on April 27 or 28, based on when Catherine took maternity leave. She went on official leave from royal duties in March and with her previous two babies she stopped work a little more than four weeks before she gave birth.
WHERE THE BABY WILL BE BORN
Prince William and Catherine’s third child will be born in the luxury $10,750 per night Lindo Wing, the private maternity ward at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London.
Barriers have been set up on the street outside the hospital for TV crews and photographers. As soon as Catherine goes into hospital devoted
royal fans will also start camping out in celebration.
The Lindo Wing has been used by royals since 1947 and is where Princess Diana gave birth to Prince William and his younger brother Prince Harry.
HOW LONG WILL CATHERINE BE IN HOSPITAL FOR?
Given the Duchess had short stays in hospital with both George and Charlotte, it can be anticipated the birth of her third child will be similar.
When George was born she stayed overnight and when she gave birth to Charlotte she left the hospital just 10 hours later.
WHAT IS THE GENDER?
Punters in England are predicting that the new royal baby will be a boy with 4/6 odds on another son. Speculation that Catherine and William are having another boy was fuelled when the Prince made a joke about naming his baby after Aston Villa footballer Jack Grealish earlier this month. An avid Aston Villa fan, Prince William made the joke after Grealish scored the winning goal at a match against Chelsea. He said: “I’m going to insist the baby is called Jack,” before adding after a pause “... or Jackie”.
AND THE NAME?
Arthur is the most predicted name by English punters, according to bookkeepers.
Odds on Arthur being the name of the new child being named Arthur are at 5/1, followed by Edward at 6/1 and Mary at 6/1. Philip, Henry, Elizabeth, Alice, Victoria, Albert and Jack are also in the top 10.
The baby will also be given the title “His Royal Highness Princess” or “Her Royal Highness Princess”.