Joy to the world
Kate’s Christmas baby
Dazzling in a floorlength velvet navy gown and stunning Lover’s Knot Tiara, the Duchess of Cambridge looked every bit the princess as she attended a lavish Buckingham Palace gala evening last week.
With her husband Prince William at her side, a beaming Kate positively glowed as she arrived at the glamorous Diplomatic Corp annual reception, which is hosted by the Queen and attended by 1000 international dignitaries.
The white-tie engagement is usually the final major undertaking for the royal family before they head to Sandringham for the Queen’s traditional Christmas – and after a nightmarish few months, there’s no doubt they’ll be breathing a collective sigh of relief as they step out of the public eye.
But for parents-of-three Kate and William, there’s an extra-special reason for their smiles this festive season,
with speculation reaching fever pitch that Kate is expecting their fourth child! And according to several close palace sources, the couple couldn’t be happier.
“They’re still keeping mum on it, but all signs are pointing to the fact there’s another little heir on the way,” tells our insider. “Kate and William have always said that four is their magic number, and the timing couldn’t be better given the difficult few months the royal family has endured.”
While the news has yet to be officially confirmed by the palace, insiders reveal the duchess has told friends that a pregnancy would be the best Christmas present she ever could hope for.
In fact, the excited royals – who are already parents to Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, four, and oneyear-old Prince Louis – have reportedly already shared their special announcement with the Queen in a bid to lift her spirits.
The 93-yearold has been devastated by the scandal over her favourite son Prince Andrew’s links to paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, not to mention the months of negative headlines around the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who’ve controversially chosen to have Christmas in the US this year. Insiders say her loved ones have often been at a loss as to how to help her.
“Kate had planned to wait until the new year to announce her pregnancy, but she and Wills decided to tell the Queen privately last week because they knew how badly she needed some good news,” explains the source.
“Removing Andrew from royal duty was one of the hardest things she’s ever had to do, and she’s described it as one of the darkest periods of her reign, so it’s no surprise the baby news was met with utter joy. It’s just what she needed as she heads into Christmas.”
While an official palace announcement is believed to be still some way off, Kate is said to be about eight weeks along, and luckily she appears to have so far avoided the
crippling morning sickness that plagued her other pregnancies. This time, says our source, she’s been able to continue her royal duties as well as being a hands-on mum to her adorable brood.
Usually when Kate is expecting, she’s unable to function at all in those first few months. Doctors are usually on hand as she battles constant vomiting and nausea, but this time it seems to be entirely different. The insider says, “She’s even said to have told her family that she can’t quite believe the illness hasn’t hit again.”
After a difficult year that saw William’s rift with his brother Prince Harry worsen, the Cambridges are said to be overjoyed at the prospect of adding to their family. They’ve always dreamed of having four children, and are said to be thrilled that it’s finally becoming a reality. The source adds they’ve already shared the news with their little ones – with Charlotte in particular hugely excited.
“Charlotte has been begging her parents for a sister for a long time now, so she’s absolutely delighted and desperately hoping it’ll be a girl. Louis is a little too young to understand, but he’s apparently been pointing at his mum’s tummy saying ‘baby’, which his parents think is very cute.
“George on the other hand wasn’t so excited – he’s said to be hoping for a StarWars Lego set this Christmas and is more excited by that than the idea of a sibling.”
The source says that Kate and William – who changed their plans to spend Christmas with the Middletons to join the Queen’s traditional festivities in a show of solidarity – can’t wait to celebrate their news properly when they head off on a family holiday in the new year.
The couple are said to be taking several weeks off and will head to the Middleton family villa on Mystique, in the Caribbean, before travelling to the nearby island of Bequia, where they’ve booked a $12,000-a-night luxury villa ill set t right i ht on th the beach. With Kate turning 38 on January 8, there’s no doubt there will be a lot to celebrate.
“Kate and Wills have had another huge year, so they’re looking forward to a muchneeded getaway. They’re taking their nanny with them, of course, so there will be plenty of opportunities for them to spend some alone time together.”
And as they head into 2020, Kate is desperately hoping the new year will bring an opportunity for William and Harry to heal their rift. The pair have barely spoken this year, but sources reveal that the duchess has been having secret conversations with her brother-in-law in a bid to help restore his and William’s close bond.
“Kate’s always been incredibly close to Harry and she’s been heartbroken watching how the feud has affected both men,” claims the source. “William can’t believe things have turned out the way they have since Harry married Meghan, and he’s admitted he often feels lost without him in his life.”
So Kate has decided to act as a go-between, urging William to hold out an olive branch and to forgive his brother for talking publicly about their problems.
“Kate’s hoping that when Harry returns from the US, he’ll be calm and rested and ready to start afresh. She’s suggested that William and Harry plan a weekend away together skiing like they used to without the wives or children, so that they can reconnect.”
According to the source, the caring duchess has urged Harry, 35, to drop his barriers and try to understand that William, 37, is only trying to help and support him.
“Kate’s hoping that the brothers can both use the Christmas break to reflect on just how important they are to one another. She’s determined that next year is happier than the last one – and with another baby on the way, there’s certainly a lot to be thankful for.”