EXCLUSIVE: KATE’S BABY JOY
THE DUCHESS HOPES TO COMPLETE HER FAMILY BY NEXT YEAR
Royal baby fever has hit the palace again with the Duchess of Cambridge telling friends she is planning a fourth baby and, this time, she’s hoping for another girl.
Impeccable royal sources tell New Idea that Kate wants to complete her family by getting pregnant again later this year, so she gives birth in 2020.
“Kate has seen the bond between George and Charlotte and thinks it would be lovely if Louis had a sister closer to his age,” explains the source.
Kate and William’s decision to have more than two children breaks with recent royal tradition: the Queen’s children Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward have just two children each, as did Princess Margaret and, similarly, her two children. However, having a large family has always been part of Kate and William’s plan.
“Kate is doing things her way but William has always supported her and will do anything to make her happy; that is a promise he made before they married,” says the palace insider. “If she wants a fourth child he will go along with it, even though he complains about sleepless nights now!”
Kate has also taken inspiration from another notable large royal family. “She is very friendly with Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and admires the way she has coped with four children. Kate would love to do the same,” adds the source.
Adding to and focusing on her family will also allow Kate an excuse to shy away from royal duties for the foreseeable future.
Despite suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, or severe morning sickness, Kate didn’t suffer as much during her pregnancy with 9-month-old Louis as she had done with George, 5, and Charlotte, 3, and hopes her health will be even better with a fourth pregnancy.
“The simple truth is that Kate loves being at home looking after her kids,” said the insider. “She likes being a royal and meeting the public, but she wants to put off heavy royal duties for as long as possible and being a mum gives her the perfect get-out.
“It may seem a bit selfish, but Kate feels the most important thing is to have a happy marriage and support her husband. She looks at what happened to Princess Diana and Fergie and she wants to make sure she provides a firm
“THE SIMPLE TRUTH IS THAT KATE LOVES BEING AT HOME LOOKING AFTER HER KIDS”
foundation and family life for her husband and children.”
Two years ago, William and Kate made Kensington Palace their main residence so they were able to step up their royal duties and send Prince George to school in London.
However, country-raised Kate still longs to spend more time at their home, Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, and returns there with the family as often as possible.
“She loves taking the kids for long walks in the woods, or to remote beaches where they can just be normal, and to local supermarkets and shops,” reveals the source.
“George was able to go to the local Westacre Montessori school and be like any other kid.”
Life in London, where George attends the $32,000-a-year private day school, Thomas’ Battersea, couldn’t be more different.
“They can’t step outside the door in London without being followed or recognised, so Kate wants to spend as much time as she can in Norfolk,” says the source. “She has even been seen to sigh sometimes and say ‘why can’t they just leave us alone?’. Kate just adores the outdoor life and feels so much happier in the country.”
While Kate recognises that she will eventually be one of the most high-profile royals in the world, she’s understandably keen to put that off for as long as possible.
Indeed, her royal duties have already been significantly reduced as a result of family demands and taking maternity leave before and after having Prince Louis last year.
Kate carried out just 87 engagements last year, while the Prince of Wales undertook 507; the Queen, 283; William, 220 and Meghan, 96.
“She knows that one day she will be Queen with all that means, but Kate feels it’s too early to be weighed down with royal responsibilities,” explains the royal insider.
“And another child will enable her to defer that for a bit longer.”