PITTER-PATTER AT THE PALACE!
Thedazzling duchessisn’tthe onlyoneblooming
Beaming in baby blue, the Duchess of Cambridge radiated happiness as she joined the Queen and senior members of the monarchy for their annual appearance at Royal Ascot.
Looking relaxed and excited at the glamorous race-day event, Kate barely stopped smiling, and now Woman’sDay can reveal the very special reason for her joy – Kate is believed to be expecting her fourth child!
“She and William are absolutely thrilled,” tells our insider. “It’s certainly happened a bit faster than they’d anticipated and they’re lovingly referring to the pregnancy as their ‘happy surprise’, but it’s something they’ve long dreamed of. Before children, they thought three was the dream, but now the doting parents think that four is the magic number.”
They hope to have a little girl, so they have two of each, adds the source. “Charlotte’s made it clear to her parents that she wants a sister.”
Kate is believed to be due in December and while she’s already busy juggling her royal commitments and being a mum to Prince George, five, Princess Charlotte, four, and one-year-old Louis, the news has been welcomed by all. In fact, our source says Kate and William shared their secret with the Queen at last week’s Trooping the Colour.
“Her Majesty holds William and Kate in such high regard,” says the source. “She adores her great-grandkids and looks forward to the new arrival.”
While Kate, 37, was plagued by severe morning sickness during her three previous pregnancies, this time it’s been smooth sailing so far. However, witnesses had earlier noted that she appeared a little unwell during a carriage ride at the Trooping the Colour.
Claims our source, “Kate’s had her
off days, but it’s been manageable so far, and she hasn’t experienced the severe nausea like she did with the other children. She has a lot of energy, which is encouraging.”
Indeed, earlier this year, Kate hinted that she and William, 37, might be ready to expand their family again after meeting an adorable baby boy during a tour of Northern Ireland.
“He’s so diddy it makes me very broody,” Kate gushed over the youngster.
With the duchess coming into her own as a graceful royal, a proud wife and a loving mother, it seems the timing is ideal for her to welcome another longedfor baby.
“She works extremely hard behind the scenes,” a palace source tells, explaining that most days she takes meetings with her charities at Kensington Palace or makes private visits to people in need – usually children.
In the evening, Kate cooks for her family or at least makes time to sit down with her brood for dinner.
“Kate really does this mother thing well,” the source adds. “There’s no doubt she’ll master being a mum-of-four with the same measure of grace.”
And it seems that Kate isn’t the only one with exciting news, with reports that her royal cousins Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall could also be pregnant. Snapped in a tight huddle at Ascot, the three women could barely contain their delight as they patted
their tummies, and insiders say they’re bubbling over with excitement that they might be welcoming little ones around the same time.
Eugenie, 29, who married Jack Brooksbank, 33, seven months ago, is believed to be around three months’ pregnant – with her baby set to be the first grandchild for Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York.
“Eugenie is absolutely glowing, and she and Jack are just beside themselves with happiness,” claims a source. “She’d love to shout her joy from the rooftops, but she has taken advice from palace aides and is waiting a little longer before making an official announcement.
“Behind the scenes, though, she’s told most of her close friends and of course her sister and parents, who are all delighted. It’s the start of a whole new chapter.”
Eugenie’s mother Sarah, 59, is over the moon and already shopping up a storm at baby stores.
And adding to the royal baby boom, sources say that 38-year-old Zara – daughter of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips – is also rumoured to be pregnant! She and her former rugby star husband Mike were devastated after two miscarriages between daughters Mia, five, and one-year-old Lena, but have always dreamed of having three children.
And our source says the Olympic equestrienne has dropped a number of hints lately that she might be expecting, reportedly turning down champagne at Ascot last week.
“Zara is usually the first to crack open the bubbly, so it certainly raised suspicion when she stuck to water. “She’s openly spoken about trying for number three, so it won’t be a great surprise when she does announce her news. But after her miscarriages, she certainly won’t be making anything public for some time yet.”
And sources say there’s no doubt the ladies will enjoy sharing their pregnancies. “The women all get on famously and are in regular contact,” tells a friend. “They’ll be asking Kate for her advice when it comes to morning sickness and they’ll know where to turn for maternity styling tips.”
And when the babies arrive, the royal trio will have a ready-made mums’ group!
“Kate and Zara already love getting together with their little tribes, and they say it’s wonderful seeing how close all the children are becoming. They feel very lucky knowing their children will have others around them who know what it’s like growing up in the royal spotlight.”