NEW FAB FOUR
Sources say the hands-on mom of three has convinced Prince William to expand their adorable brood
Duchess Kate is hoping to give kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis a sibling, sources tell Us.
Since lockdown began last year, Duchess Kate has been super-candid about the trials and tribulations of juggling work with the demands of parenthood. “It really is difficult,” she’s said of homeschooling kids Prince George, 7, and Princess Charlotte, 5 — while also tending to Prince Louis, 2, and her royal duties. But a palace insider tells
Us that a silver lining has emerged for Kate and husband Prince William. “They’ve gotten to spend so much quality time with the children, and it’s really brought them closer as a family,” says the insider. “More than ever, Kate realizes how blessed she really is.”
Now, multiple sources reveal the Duchess of Cambridge, 39, is hoping to add one more member to the crew! “Kate wants to try for another baby,” says a second source. “She’s being low-key about it and is saying it may or may not happen, but privately, it’s something she and William want more than anything,” the source continues. “They’re aiming to be pregnant sometime this year.”
No one is happier about the news than William’s 94-year-old grandmother, Queen
Elizabeth II. “The queen is absolutely thrilled and cried tears of joy when she heard,” says the source. Between the abrupt departure of Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle from The Firm last January, along with William and Harry’s subsequent feud and health fears as she and 99-year-old husband Prince Philip isolate at Windsor Castle, it hasn’t been an easy year for the matriarch. So
chatter of baby No. 4 is music to her ears. “The queen adores Kate and knows what a big decision this must have been for her and William,” notes the source. “They have her full support and she is overjoyed on their behalf.”
HOT DEBATE
According to the source, the couple went back and forth before agreeing to go full speed ahead with their baby plans. William,
38, was especially apprehensive because of the severe morning sickness Kate experienced during her first three pregnancies. Plus, he was concerned that another child may leave them stretched too thin. “The thought of having four children made him feel overwhelmed,” says the palace insider, noting that William spent much of his childhood with just his mom, the late Princess Diana, and brother Harry. “When his parents divorced, his dad, Prince Charles, was barely around, so a smaller family unit is what he’s used to.”
In the end, Kate’s excitement proved contagious. “It took some time,” admits the insider. “But after thinking about it, William is looking forward to what the future might hold.”
READY FOR BABY
According to the second source, Kate’s already in full prep mode, adding extra nutrients to her daily meals to get in the best shape possible before she’s pregnant. “She has an extremely healthy diet already, but Kate’s been treating herself to a fuller breakfast and upping her dairy intake, plus incorporating foods that are rich in antioxidants and fiber” says the source. “She’s also been avoiding too much sugar and caffeine.”
She has started thinking about the nursery too. Though it’s still early, Kate knows “she wants George, Charlotte and Louis to help decorate the baby’s room,” says the palace insider, noting that the famously down-to-earth mom has no plans of stocking the closest with new outfits.
“Kate will almost certainly use hand-me-downs for the baby,” the insider continues. “She isn’t high maintenance and doesn’t have a
problem with recycling the kids’ old clothes!”
While she’s got plenty of boy attire, Kate is hoping to take some of Charlotte’s old dresses out of storage. “Kate dreams of having a baby girl,” says the insider, explaining that she really wants to give her daughter a little sister! “Kate’s extremely close with her younger sister, Pippa, and she would love for Charlotte to have the same experience.”
DYNAMIC DUO
Managing four children will be a lot to handle, but Kate and William have mastered the art of teamwork. (While discussing the challenges of life in lockdown with other parents on a Jan. 28 Zoom chat, Kate named William as her biggest source of support.) “They take turns with homeschooling and reminding the kids to do their chores, like feeding and walking the dogs,” says the second source. “They’re on the same page and feel like being blessed with another child would be a fairy-tale come true.”