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Well-wishers have gathered outside Buckingham Palace as the world anxiously waits for Kate Middleton to give birth to the future king or queen.
Despite being the hottest day of the year so far, thousands of people have gathered in London to celebrate the royal baby’s arrival while the Queen is now waiting at her home for her great-grandchild to be born.
Kate Middleton, who has Prince William by her side, was driven from Kensington Palace to the private Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, west London, at around 5.30 a.m. today.
A team of royal protection officers rushed Kate Middleton in via a rear exit, the same route taken by Princess Diana when she gave birth to Prince William in 1982.
This afternoon there was a large police presence around the hospital as royal fans gathered as they waited for news about the soon-to-be mother and baby.
Well-wishers have gathered outside Buckingham Palace as the world anxiously waits for Kate Middleton to give birth to the future king or queen
Meanwhile, many more gathered outside Buckingham Palace, where the official announcement of the baby’s birth will be made on an easel to be placed at its gates.
Excitement reached feverish levels outside Buckingham Palace this afternoon when the Queen arrived home from Windsor Castle, where the huge crowd surged dangerously as she was driven through the gates.
Scores of people ran towards her vehicle screaming “The Queen!”, while others reached into their pockets to grab their camera phones in an effort to catch Her Majesty’s fleeting appearance.
The months of speculation and anticipation – dubbed the Great Kate Wait – built to a climax this morning amid news that the Duchess of Cambridge had been admitted to hospital in the early stages of labor.
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Joan Collins, Snooki and Spice Girls’ Mel B led the hordes of celebrities tweeting ahead of the royal baby’s arrival on Monday morning.
Upon the news that Kate Middleton had gone into labor at London’s St Mary’s hospital, stars were quick to take to Twitter to express their excitement over the impending arrival.
Taking a guess as to the baby’s gender, veteran actress Joan Collins wrote: “I bet it’s a girl!”
Mel B was less specific with her tweet, writing: “Whoop whoop the royal baby is coming.”
In fact, within minutes of news breaking that Kate Middleton had gone into labor, Twitter went into meltdown, with more than 200 tweets containing the words “Kate” and “Labor” being sent every minute.
CNN host Piers Morgan admitted the late Princess Diana would be bursting with pride at the imminent birth, writing: “She’d have loved it, very sad.”
The British presenter also offered a prediction on the child’s sex: “A boy – 100%.”
Former Labour politician John Prescott added: “Great to hear the Duchess of Cambridge has gone into labour. Is she an affiliated member? #boomtish # royalbaby.”
Elsewhere former S Club 7 star Rachel Stevens added: “Baby HRH on the way, how exciting!”
Joan Collins, Snooki and Spice Girls’ Mel B led the hordes of celebrities tweeting ahead of the royal baby’s arrival
While the majority of tweets wished Kate Middleton all the best, mother-of-two Lily Cooper couldn’t resist a light-hearted joke with the tweet: “The Duchess has shed half her baby weight.”
Jersey Shore star Snooki offered words of encouragement: “Push girl, pushhhhhh! #KateMiddleton #RoyalBaby #excited.”
Newly engaged Kelly Osbourne also tweeted from her home in Los Angeles: “It’s all so exciting The Royal Baby is on the way!”
Dame Helen Mirren – who has played her Royal Highness the Queen on stage and screen – says it would be “very interesting” if William and Kate named their first child Diana.
“I wonder if they’ll go there. That would be interesting, wouldn’t it? That would be very interesting,” she said, adding: “Her second name will be Elizabeth without a doubt.”
However, Helen Mirren admitted that other options would work just as well – amongst them Victoria, Charlotte and Caroline – after Kate Middleton’s mother, Carole.
“It would be nice to have one of those ancient Anglo-Saxon names,” she said.
Helen Mirren also admitted that Kate Middleton must feel awkward knowing the eyes of the world are trained on her while she prepares for the imminent birth.
“That’s weird isn’t it, everyone knowing you’re in labor,” she said.
“That must be so uncomfortable.”
Helen Mirren added that it would be great if they had a girl because “we need more Queen’s in our life”.
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, is in the early stages of labor and was admitted to hospital at around 5.30 a.m. today as she prepares to give birth to the future king or queen.
There have been weeks of anticipation over the forthcoming birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s child.
Here are ten of the lesser-known facts about royal births:
1. Home secretaries used to attend royal births. The last time was in 1936 for the birth of the Queen’s cousin, Princess Alexandra. The custom was ended in 1948 ahead of the birth of Prince Charles. At the time Home Office researchers could find no evidence for the belief that the home secretary’s presence was anything to do with verification, according to a biography of the Queen written by Ben Pimlott.
Then Home Secretary Sir William Joynson-Hicks was present at the Queen’s birth in 1926, despite the government being embroiled in a row with coal miners. He was reported to have conveyed the news by special messenger to the Lord Mayor of London.
2. The Archbishop of Canterbury won’t attend the birth, as was the custom in the past. One exception was in 1841 for the birth of Queen Victoria’s first son Albert Edward in 1841 when the archbishop and two companions – Lord Wharncliffe, Lord President of the Council, and Lord Stanley, Secretary of the State for the Colonies – turned up late and missed the birth. The Times does not record whether heavy carriage traffic was to blame. The Bishop of London did make it.
3. 42 eminent public figures were called in to verify the birth of King James II’s son James Francis Edward in 1688 at St James’s Palace, in what visiting Cambridge University scholar Prof. Mary Fissell describes as “the first media circus surrounding a royal birth”. People doubted that the King’s wife Mary of Modena was genuinely pregnant and, once she went into labor, Mary Fissell says, there were rumors spread by cheap broadsheets and in coffee houses that the baby who emerged had been smuggled into the bedchamber in a warming pan, or that it had been sneaked into the bed through a secret door in the bedhead.
Kate Middleton is in the early stages of labor and was admitted to hospital as she prepares to give birth to the future king or queen
That scandal put a permanent question mark against the baby’s legitimacy, Mary Fissell says, and he never became king. William of Orange and his wife Mary went on to seize the throne in 1688 in what came to be known as the Glorious Revolution.
4. The birth of Princess Margaret in 1930 caused some difficulty for then Home Secretary JR Clynes. He had remained in Scotland while he waited to witness the birth of the princess at Glamis Castle which ended up happening two weeks later than planned, says royal historian Hugo Vickers. When the baby was finally on its way, JR Clynes was already ready for bed, but on the news of the impending arrival had to scramble to the castle for the birth.
5. A surname will not necessarily be required, as the new baby will have the title HRH Prince or Princess and will be referred to in this way. However, if Kate Middleton and Prince William want to include a surname, there are three choices available: Mountbatten-Windsor, Wales or Cambridge. In 1917 George V adopted Windsor – after the castle of the same name – as the “surname” of his family, changing it from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha as a result of anti-German feeling during World War I.
The Queen and Prince Phillip combined their surnames to make Mountbatten-Windsor – their direct descendants can use this name but it isn’t binding.
In his military role, Prince William uses the name of his royal house – Wales – which is taken from his father. Similarly Cambridge, the title given to the couple when they married, could be used.
6. The news will come on an easel. It’s custom for news of royal births and deaths to be attached to the railings of Buckingham Palace. In this case, it will be displayed on an ornate easel in the forecourt of the palace. The Queen, senior members of the royal family, and the Middleton family – if they are not at the hospital – will be told about the birth first. Then a royal aide will hurry from the hospital to the palace under police escort with a bulletin. The foolscap-sized note, bearing the Buckingham Palace letterhead and signed by key medical staff, will be the nation’s first chance to find out if it is a boy or a girl. After the note is displayed, an announcement will be posted on Twitter and Facebook, and the media will be informed.
7. Prince William is following modern convention by taking paternity leave. He is expected to take the two weeks’ paid leave offered by the Ministry of Defence. He will then return to his job as an RAF search and rescue pilot. Of course, statutory paternity leave has only been in force in the UK since 2003. Prince Phillip was playing squash when Charles was born.
8. Royal births are usually celebrated with a 41-gun salute by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. The basic royal salute is 21 rounds, but because it will be conducted in Green Park, a royal park, an extra 20 rounds are fired. At the Tower of London, 62 rounds will be fired – the basic 21, 20 because the Tower is a Royal Palace and 21 for the “city of London”. Union jacks will also be flown from all Government buildings, Royal Naval ships, and defense establishments.
9. The birth is in a hospital. While it might seem obvious that Prince William and Kate Middleton’s baby would be born in a hospital, Prince William was actually the first would-be king to arrive in such a way. Both he and his brother Prince Harry were born in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, west London, where Kate Middleton is giving birth. The baby will be delivered by the Queen’s former gynaecologist Marcus Setchell. The Queen was born at a home belonging to her mother’s parents at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London. The current heir to the throne, Prince Charles, was born at Buckingham Palace, while his sister Anne was born at Clarence House.
The new parents are likely to present the newborn baby to the world via the press camped outside the hospital. The Queen showed off the royal babies on the balcony at Buckingham Palace in front of huge crowds.
10. The christening robe will be a replica of one that has been used since 1841. It is not yet known where the latest addition to the family will be christened, but Prince William – like his father the Prince of Wales – was christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace. The robe was made for the christening of Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter. Made of fine Honiton lace lined with white satin, it has subsequently been used for generations of Royal christenings. The current Queen wore it, her children all wore it and so have all but one of her grandchildren – including Princes William and Harry. In 2008, the Earl and Countess of Wessex’s son wore a replica robe designed to preserve the original.
The timing of the royal baby’s birth today will dictate whether the child is an emotional Cancer or fiery Leo, astrologers say.
If Kate Middleton’s baby is born before 4.54 p.m. today, it will be a Cancerian, like its father Prince William and grandmother Diana, Princess of Wales.
But if the baby comes later, astrologers say it will be Leo, like its great aunt Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, and Princess Anne.
Kate Middleton went into labor at 6 a.m. this morning – with many suggesting the approaching full moon at 11.16 a.m. helped bring on the contractions.
Prince William is with Kate Middleton at the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, west London, where he himself was born in 1982.
The timing of the royal baby’s birth today will dictate whether the child is an emotional Cancer or fiery Leo
But as the country waits to hear whether Britain has a future king or queen, there was a Twitter frenzy this morning as to whether it would be born a Cancer or a Leo.
Astrologer with The Association of Professional Astrologers International, Deike Begg, says the timing of the baby’s birth will play a huge role in their personality type.
Deike Begg said: “If the baby is born before 4.54 p.m. they will be a Cancer – like father William. But its moon will be in Capricorn – which is the same star-sign as mother Kate.
“This means the baby will share a lot of the parents’ personality traits.
“As a Cancer, the child will be very family oriented like its parents and sensitive. Cancers often appear strong on the outside but are very soft on the inside.
“But with a Capricorn moon it would also be aware of its responsibilities and dependable.”
Traditionally those born under the star-sign of Cancer – generally between June 22nd and July 22nd although the exact dates vary slightly every year – are sensitive, caring, shrewd, family oriented and protective of their loved ones.
Typical Leo traits are said to include confidence, ambition, generosity and loyalty.
The Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, where Kate Middleton is due to give birth, is an exclusive private facility offering “bespoke care packages”.
This facility is where Prince William and his brother Harry were born.
But a home birth might have been more in keeping with tradition.
The Queen was born at a home belonging to her mother’s parents at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London. The current heir to the throne, Prince Charles, was born at Buckingham Palace, while his sister Anne was born at Clarence House.
Kate Middleton, like Princess Diana before her, will now be in a private en-suite room in the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s, designed to provide “comfort and privacy”.
Fully refurbished last year, the wing describes itself as having offered “leading private obstetric and neonatal care for 60 years”.
Each room has a satellite TV with major international channels, a radio, a safe, a bedside phone and a fridge.
The Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, where Kate Middleton is due to give birth, is an exclusive private facility offering bespoke care packages
The expectant mother and her visitors can access the internet on Wi-Fi and there is a choice of a daily newspaper delivered to the room each morning.
All meals are freshly prepared by chefs in a dedicated kitchen and tea and coffee is provided for mothers and guests throughout the day.
The £5,000 ($7,500)-a-night wing also offers a “comprehensive wine list should you wish to enjoy a glass of champagne and toast your baby’s arrival”.
Should Prince William want to stay over, he’ll be provided with a fully reclining chair next to Kate’s bedside and breakfast in the morning.
But aside from these hotel-like luxuries, the hospital is experienced in catering for complex pregnancies and deliveries.
The wing has the benefit of being based in an NHS hospital if further complications arise, including its facilities for premature babies, and access to top-notch hospital specialists.
It’s believed the medical team assigned to deliver Prince William and Kate Middleton’s first child will be led by Dr. Marcus Setchell, the Queen’s former gynaecologist for more than 18 years.
He helped save the lives of the Countess of Wessex and her eldest child Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor in 2003.
Sophie was rushed to hospital after complaining of severe internal pains when she was eight months pregnant.
She was dangerously ill from blood loss and doctors performed an emergency Caesarean.
Assisting Dr.Marcus Setchell will be Dr. Alan Farthing, the Queen’s current gynaecologist and surgeon, and former fiancé of the murdered television presenter Jill Dando.
Alan Farthing, who has been a doctor for 26 years, works at Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital in Hammersmith, west London, and St Mary’s.
Kate Middleton’s baby will be his first high-profile royal birth.
Meanwhile, outside the hospital, the world’s press waits for the birth.
Kate Middleton was taken to the Lindo Wing just before 06:00.
Prince William and his wife, who spent the weekend at Kensington Palace, travelled without a police escort, their spokesman said.
The spokesman added: “Things are progressing as normal.”
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Kate Middleton has been admitted to hospital and is in the early stages of labor, Kensington Palace has said.
The Duchess of Cambridge, who is thought to be one week overdue, travelled by car from the palace to St Mary’s in Paddington, west London, with her husband the Duke of Cambridge.
Kate Middleton has been admitted to hospital and is in the early stages of labor
Prince William and Kate Middleton do not know the sex of their first child, who will be third in line to the throne.
Royal vehicles were seen at a back entrance to the hospital at about 06:00 BST, with the announcement coming from Kensington Palace an hour-and-a-half later.
Kate Middleton is being tended by a top medical team led by the Queen’s former gynaecologist Marcus Setchell, who delivered the Countess of Wessex’s two children.
The couple announced they were expecting their first child in December after the duchess was admitted to hospital suffering from severe morning sickness.
Since the announcement, Kate Middleton has carried out 19 days of public engagements before going on maternity leave in the middle of June.
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Kate Middleton is in labor and has gone to give birth at St Mary’s Hospital in London, Kensington Palace has announced.
Kate Middleton, 31, has been admitted to hospital and is in the early stages of labor.
The Duchess of Cambridge was taken to St Mary’s Hospital in London.
The long wait was over but there was likely to be no more news until the official announcement of the birth.
The baby will be Prince William and Kate Middleton’s first child and will be third in line to the throne.
Prince William is with Kate Middleton at the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, west London, where he himself was born in 1982.
Palace officials chose to make the announcement that Kate Middleton has gone into labour public in an attempt to balance her “dignity” with the fact that social media makes it almost impossible to keep her baby’s imminent arrival a secret.
Kate Middleton is in labour and has gone to give birth at St Mary’s Hospital in London
“The Duchess of Cambridge has been admitted this morning to St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London in the early stages of labour,” a royal spokesman said.
“The Duchess travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing with The Duke of Cambridge.”
The world’s press have been camped outside St Mary’s for days in anticipation of the birth. The due date had never been officially announced but had widely been expected to be mid-July.
Prince William has been with his wife on annual leave and will have two weeks’ paternity leave.
Kate Middleton’s final public appearance before the birth was at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in June.
As a result of recent, long-anticipated changes in the law, the baby will also be made an HRH (His or Her Royal Highness) and given the title Prince or Princess of Cambridge.
If she is a girl she will, one day, become Queen, just as a boy will become King.
He or she is also destined to become a future head of the armed forces, supreme governor of the Church of England and head of the Commonwealth, which covers 54 nations across the world, and subsequently head of state of 16 countries.
Royal vehicles were seen at a back entrance to the hospital at about 06:00 BST.
It is believed the next time Kate Middleton and Prince William will be seen in public is when they appear on the steps of the hospital with their baby.
Kate Middleton is being tended by a top medical team led by the Queen’s former gynaecologist Marcus Setchell, who delivered the Countess of Wessex’s two children.
Assisting him is Alan Farthing, the former fiancé of murdered TV presenter Jill Dando and the Queen’s current gynaecologist.
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Kate Middleton’s due date was widely reported as being last Saturday, July 13, but it has now been suggested that the official due date is actually today, July 19.
The world’s press has been camped outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London for a fortnight to ensure they don’t miss her arriving.
And social media is continually awash with rumors that she has gone into labor.
However, the only confirmation from Kate Middleton has been that she was due in “mid-July”, and last night a source claimed she was actually given today’s date.
Kate Middleton’s due date was widely reported as being July 13, but it has now been suggested that the official due date is actually July 19
This means the baby could arrive as far away as August 2, because expectant mothers are only usually induced if the baby is two weeks late.
The Royal source said: “A small number of staff at St Mary’s who might be called upon when the Duchess gives birth were told they had to remain teetotal for a month before the due date.”
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, they added: “They were told the due date was July 19.”
Prince William and Kate Middleton’s private office at Kensington Palace has refused to confirm the Duchess’s exact due date, although Kate herself let slip during a public walkabout earlier this year that it is “mid-July”.
William was said to have had a few days off from his job as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot in Wales this week, which he was thought to have spent with his wife at their Kensington Palace residence.
Kate Middleton, 31, stayed at the home of her parents Carole and Michael Middleton in Berkshire last weekend, while Prince William played in two long-standing charity polo matches.
The Duchess of Cornwall dropped a tantalizing hint on Monday that the wait could soon be over, telling well-wishers she expects the little boy or girl to arrive imminently.
Camilla revealed during a visit to a children’s hospice near St Austell, Cornwall: “We are all just waiting by the telephone. We are hopeful that by the end of the week he or she will be here.”
However, on Wednesday the Queen appeared to suggest that the baby was already late.
The Queen told a 10-year-old schoolgirl on a trip to Cumbria: “I would very much like it to arrive because I’m going on holiday soon… I wish it would hurry up.”
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Queen Elizabeth II said she hopes Kate Middleton’s baby is born soon, because she is due to go on holiday.
The comment was made to a 10-year-old schoolgirl while on a series of engagements in Cumbria.
Wiggonby Church of England Primary School pupil Fay Batey asked if the Queen wanted the royal baby to be a boy or a girl.
The Queen replied: “I don’t think I mind. I would very much like it to arrive. I’m going on holiday.”
Queen Elizabeth II said she hopes Kate Middleton’s baby is born soon, because she is due to go on holiday
According to Buckingham Palace, the Queen will soon be heading off to her private Balmoral estate in Scotland, where she traditionally spends her summer holiday.
Hundreds of people had crowded into a market square in Kendal to see the Queen and the Princess Royal.
The royal party went on a brief walkabout during the 20 minute tour and received two posies from local schoolchildren.
The royal visitors were greeted by loud cheers and Union flags as they arrived from nearby Oxenholme railway station.
The Queen was later presented with a hamper showcasing local produce from the Made in Cumbria chamber of commerce collective.
Retail manager Tracey Graham said: “She was thrilled with the damson gin and said she would be keeping that for herself.”
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While the royal baby is yet to be born, he or she is already influencing baby name choices on a wider scale as traditionally royal monikers see a rise in popularity.
A new survey reveals that 22% of expectant parents are taking inspiration from the excitement of the impending royal babies and are strongly considering naming their child after Royals from over the years, with Harry and Sophie topping the list as the two of the most popular names.
The study asked over 2,000 expectant parents-to-be whether or not they had planned a name with any kind of Royal connotation for their unborn child, to which just over a fifth of the parents taking part said they had.
These respondents were then asked to state what these Royal names were, revealing the top five most popular Royal names amongst expectant parents for their unborn children as Harry, William and Charles for boys and Sophie, Kate and Elizabeth for little girls.
Respondents were asked if they believe that the recent buzz surrounding the upcoming royal births sparked their desire to want a more traditional first or middle name for their child. Eighty two per cent agreed with this statement.
George Charles of VoucherCodesPro.co.uk, who carried out the research, said: “I must say, the result of this study really surprised us, especially with the recent trend of celebrities favoring more obscure names for their children such as Blue Ivy, Apple, Harper Seven, Suri and North.
“It seems that this celebrity obscurity doesn’t hold as much sway nowadays, and we Britons are looking to keep things traditional and follow in Royal footsteps!
“I don’t mean to sound like too much of a Katie Hopkins here, but the fact is that every parent wants their child to go on and do great things, and may feel that a strong regal name will help them achieve these things.
While the royal baby is yet to be born, he or she is already influencing baby name choices on a wider scale as traditionally royal monikers see a rise in popularity
“We certainly can’t wait to see what both impending royal babies will be named – and it will definitely be interesting to see if the chosen names make expectant parents change their minds.”
Another recent survey found a record numbers of newborn babies are expected to go unnamed this month as parents across the country wait to discover the name chosen by the royal couple.
Parents are given six weeks to register their baby’s name and that means thousands are expected to pause for thought until they hear the news from Clarence House.
Experts believe that thousands of couples are likely to find inspiration in the choice of Kate Middleton and Prince William and follow suit.
Netvouchercodes.co.uk found more than 10% of respondents in their survey of expectant mothers said they were hoping to postpone having to name their offspring until they heard the royal name.
“My baby is due before the royal baby, but I already know I definitely want it to have the same name,” one said.
“The birth of Will and Kate’s baby is such a monumental event that is going to be remembered forever, just like the royal wedding. Giving my baby the same name is my personal way of celebrating.”
Top 5 boys names:
Harry (22%)
William (16%)
Charlie/Charles (14%)
James (13%)
George (12%)
Top 5 girls names:
Sophie (24%)
Kate (20%)
Elizabeth (18%)
Sarah (16%)
Victoria (12%)
Kate Middleton’s uncle, Gary Goldsmith, has predicted his niece is about to give birth to a baby girl – and when she does, he says it will be “unbelievable” for the female firstborn to make history.
“My suspicion is that they’re having a baby girl,” he told the Mirror.
“But, of course, I don’t know that for fact. I believe Kate and William have kept the gender of their child a secret to everyone but themselves.”
Gary Goldsmith said that it would be “brilliant” if Prince William and Kate Middleton’s firstborn was a girl – because thanks to the recent amendment to British succession law allowing female firstborn children to rule, a girl baby would one day be Queen.
“It would be brilliant, wouldn’t it, if they do have a little girl? To have one of my family, my niece, making history will be absolutely unbelievable.”
Gary Goldsmith went onto praise Kate Middleton and Prince William as a “very modern couple”, saying he believes William will be “as hands-on as Kate” with the parenting.
“That’s the genius of it,” he said.
“They’re modernizing the Royal Family and doing a wonderful job of it.”
The so-called King Of Fun, known to Kate, Pippa and James Middleton as Uncle G – has already been looking around for a baby gift for the new arrival – and has his eye on a £70,000 ($100,000) rocking elephant he spotted in Royal Warranted jewellers Asprey.
Gary Goldsmith has already been looking around for a baby gift for the new arrival and has his eye on a $100,000 rocking elephant he spotted in Royal Warranted jewellers Asprey
“I went to Asprey’s recently and saw an amazing, huge elephant rocker, like Dumbo, for about £70,000,” he told the Mirror.
“Or there was a chest of some first edition Tintins.
“But because family is so important to Kate – she is incredibly close to Carole and Pip – I would rather get something personal and more meaningful. Although I did like that elephant…!”
But the 48-year-old businessman brother of Carole Middleton has another trick up his sleeve too.
The self-made millionaire, who made his £30 million ($50 million) fortune in investments and recruitment consultancy, has said he plans to buy the baby shares in Chelsea football club – something that may not go down too well with William, who is a die-hard Aston Villa fan.
Gary Goldsmith, who sold his shares in recruitment consultancy firm SThree PLC for £17 million ($27 million) eight years ago, told The Sun: “I’m going to get exactly what I get for all my mates’ babies.
“As a die-hard Chelsea fan, I always get the baby Chelsea shares. Then, when it’s a bit older, I get it a full tiny Chelsea strip.
“It’s brilliant, it drives the parents mad. I love turning their kid into a true blue Chelsea fan. And Prince William is an Aston Villa fan. I thought it could be hilarious. I mean, what on earth can you get for a baby like theirs? That baby is going to have everything it could ever want. So Chelsea shares are perfect. I think William will find it funny.”
Gary Goldsmith, who was at the Royal Wedding in 2011 despite being stung months earlier in an undercover operation that revealed him to be in the possession of cocaine, says he is under no illusion he could be handed the honor of godparent to the Royal firstborn.
“I would hope to be at the christening, but I’m sure I won’t be a godfather!”
The Duchess of Cornwall has revealed the royal family hopes Kate Middleton and Prince William’s baby will be born “by the end of the week”.
During a visit to a children’s hospice yesterday, Camilla remarked: “We don’t know what’s going to happen. We’re all waiting at the end of a telephone.
“I hope by the end of the week he or she will be there.”
Prince Charles and Camilla started their annual summer tour of Devon and Cornwall yesterday in the popular tourist town of Bude.
Many mothers brought their babies to meet them – giving them ample opportunity to greet newborns before Kate gives birth.
Trudi Lindsay, from Bude, said she was “delighted” her three-week-old daughter Ellie-Mae could see the royals.
The Duchess of Cornwall has revealed the royal family hopes Kate Middleton and Prince William’s baby will be born by the end of the week
“I said <<You have got one of these coming soon>> and Charles replied <<Hopefully>>, then he laughed.
“He was very good with Ellie-Mae, he touched her cheek. I still can’t believe Prince Charles touched my baby’s cheek.
“It is really exciting to have them here in Bude, especially as the weather is so nice.”
Jenny Dawe, 62, who works in a local shop, showed the royals her selection of cards.
“I said <<You will need a new baby card soon>> and they laughed,” Jenny Dawe said.
New parents Poppy and Paul Steen brought their five-day-old son Lowen to meet Prince Charles and Camilla.
Paul Steen, 33, said: “We’ve had quite a busy few days. Lowen wasn’t supposed to be born today but he came on Wednesday and I had to deliver him at home.
“The midwife did joke that he might arrive on the same day as Kate’s and we might get a commemorative coin but Lowen wasn’t waiting for that.”
Senior royals will be the first to know when Kate Middleton is admitted to the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington in the early stages of labor.
The arrival of Kate Middleton and Prince William’s first child is to be marked with a commemorative £5 silver coin.
The coin will feature an image of St. George and the Dragon first seen on a sovereign designed by Italian engraver Benedetto in 1817.
It was used last year on a limited edition coin to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
A source told the Daily Telegraph: “The Royal Mint’s plan is to announce it will be bringing out the silver coin when the royal baby is born.”
Kate Middleton and Prince William do not know the sex of their baby, which is expected imminently.
The arrival of Kate Middleton and Prince William’s first child is to be marked with a commemorative £5 silver coin
Photographers and reporters have been camped for days outside St Mary’s hospital in London, where Kate is imminently due to give birth to the future heir.
The Royal Mint has already revealed that babies born on the same day as the new prince or princess will be given a “lucky” silver penny.
Bookmakers have revealed they have taken a large number of bets on the potential name of the Royal couple’s child.
One of the names which many members of the public believe the baby could be called is George.
Bookmakers give the odds of the baby being called George at 10-1.
If Prince William and Kate Middleton named their child George, it would become King George VII.
It is believed the Royal Baby could result in a £250 million ($400 million) boost for Britain’s shops.
Speculation that Kate Middleton was expecting an early birth was quashed earlier this week after it emerged that Prince William plans to play in a charity polo match tomorrow.
Prince William will take part in the game at Cirencester Polo Club in Gloucestershire but he will not be accompanied by his heavily pregnant wife. She will not want to leave her London “safety zone” so close to her due date.
Kate Middleton herself let slip earlier this year that their baby was due in mid-July, a fact which has since been confirmed by palace officials.
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When Kate Middleton goes into labor – July 14 reported as due date – she’s expected to check into her suite in the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital.
The hospital recommends several items Kate Middleton and Prince William should bring.
First and foremost, the expectant couple should bring her “maternity notes and birth plan.”
Pregnant Kate Middleton is expected to check into her suite in the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital on July 14
Kate Middleton should also pack some clothing, including a dressing gown and slippers, nightshirts, pajamas, socks and T-shirts (front-opening shirts are recommended because they’re useful in the early days of breast-feeding), nursing bras and an outfit for both mom and baby to wear home from the hospital. She should also pack a baby blanket, a pair of socks or booties, a baby hat and two or three baby sleep suits for the tiny prince or princess.
Although the Lindo Wing provides an extensive and nutritious menu, catering to each individual’s dietary requirements, it’s recommended that patients pack some extra snacks and drinks.
Each suite is equipped with a satellite TV, a radio, a safe, bedside phone, Internet access and a fridge, but patients are encouraged to pack any books, magazines, games or music they would like to help pass the time.
Kate Middleton should bring her own hairbrush and toiletries, any medication she takes as well as insurance documents (if appropriate), according to the hospital recommendations.
It is also recommended to have a small amount of cash on her and leave any valuables behind. While each room has a safe, the hospital does not accept responsibility for loss or damage to personal property.
According to the latest reports, Kate Middleton’s supposed hospital menu is kind of extravagant.
E! News has obtained a list of food items that Kate Middleton may choose from during her stay the posh Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in London.
Meals are three courses each and include options like “cream of tomato soup before moving on to an entrée of lamb chops or Mediterranean grilled chicken with a choice side dishes.” Desserts include cakes, fruit and cheeses.
Kate Middleton and her visitors can toast the royal baby’s arrival in high style: The menu also includes a list of wines and champagnes.
Kate Middleton’s supposed hospital menu is kind of extravagant
If she’s got a hankering for something quick nibbles, the Lindo Wing has what it calls a Light Bite Menu, which is available daily and includes options like soups, salads, omelettes and potatoes, as well as sandwiches and baguettes.
Breakfast, meanwhile, offers up a bevy of selections of juice, fruit, yogurt, cereal, bread and hot beverages.
The hospital’s menu also takes into account a variety of special dietary needs and cultural or religious requirements, and patients can opt for vegetarian, kosher and halal meals, which are prepared on-site at the Lindo Wing’s kitchens.
Kate Middleton is ready to give birth any day now as her due date is reported to be either July 13 or 14.
The hospital holds special significance for the royal family as Princess Diana gave birth to Prince William at the very same wing 31 years ago.
Following tradition, a proclamation announcing the royal baby’s birth and gender will be delivered from the hospital to Buckingham Palace, where the notice will be placed on an easel that was used to herald Prince William’s own arrival.
Mel Greig, the Australian DJ behind Kate Middleton prank call linked to the death of UK nurse Jacintha Saldanha, has sued her employer, saying it failed to provide a safe workplace, local media say.
Mel Greig’s lawyer said a complaint against Southern Cross Austereo had been lodged with Fair Work Australia.
She and her co-host Michael Christian made a prank call to the London hospital where the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge was being treated for morning sickness last year.
The nurse who answered the phone call was later found dead.
Mel Greig remains off air in the wake of the incident, but co-host Michael Christian returned to work two months later.
“I can confirm that a general protections application has been filed with Fair Work Australia on behalf of Mel Greig against Southern Cross Austereo alleging the radio station failed to maintain a safe workplace,” Mel Greig’s lawyer, Steven Lewis, told local media in Australia.
“The matter will proceed to confidential conciliation under the Fair Work Act.”
Mel Greig remains off air in the wake of Kate Middleton nurse prank call, but co-host Michael Christian returned to work two months later
No further details of the complaint were available.
Fair Work Australia, the national workplace relations tribunal, said it would try a conciliation conference for the two parties, local media report.
If the issue cannot be resolved, Mel Grieg will have to seek legal recourse in a federal court.
Her employer has yet to issue a comment on the matter.
Nurse Jacintha Saldanha put the Australian DJs through to another nurse at the King Edward VII’s Hospital in Marylebone, who gave an update on the duchess’s condition – an incident that drew widespread media coverage in the UK.
Jacintha Saldanha believed the DJs were the Queen and Prince Charles.
The 46-year-old wife and mother-of-two was found hanged three days later. An inquest into her death has yet to be held.
In February, the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service decided there was insufficient evidence to charge Michael Christian and Mel Greig with manslaughter over Jacintha Saldanha’s death.
Mel Greig is expected to appear at the inquest into Jacintha Saldanha’s death, expected later this year.
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After Kate Middleton gives birth to the royal baby, Prince William’s first call will be to his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, on an encrypted phone.
At the same time, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s private secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton will inform PM David Cameron and a small number of other highly placed individuals, including the Archbishop of Canterbury.
After Kate Middleton gives birth to the royal baby, Prince William’s first call will be to the Queen on an encrypted phone
Back at Buckingham Palace, officials will notify the head of each of the 54 Commonwealth countries and the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For the public, an official notice announcing the birth will be placed in a glass-fronted easel and attached to the gates of the Palace.
Within minutes, depending on the time of day, a 41-gun salute will ring out in Hyde Park. Visitors will then begin turning up at St Mary’s Hospital.
The Middletons are likely to take centre-stage along with Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry.
Friends and other relatives will be encouraged to wait to see the baby when it gets home.
A source said the Queen will wait for the “baby to be brought to her”.
And although he or she will one day wear the crown, the baby will start out life wearing just a humble name tag inscribed with the name “Baby Cambridge”.
With five days to go until Kate Middleton is due to give birth to their first child, Prince William has borrowed a helicopter once used to circumnavigate the globe in record time.
Prince William, 31, who is on duty this week as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot, can cover the 288 miles between his base in North Wales and St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, West London, in just 90 minutes.
With five days to go until Kate Middleton is due to give birth to their first child, Prince William has borrowed a helicopter once used to circumnavigate the globe in record time
The distinctive orange McDonnell Douglas four-seater helicopter appears to be on permanent standby in the garden of his rented farmhouse on the island of Anglesey in case it is needed to whisk him off.
It was parked there Sunday night. When the time comes, however, it is not believed that Prince William would fly the helicopter himself.
Meanwhile Kate Middleton, 31, is dividing her time between their London apartment in the grounds of Kensington Palace and her parents’ home in Berkshire, so she can be closer to the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, where she will give birth.
The helicopter is owned by Prince William’s friend, fellow pilot Simon Oliphant-Hope, who was Pierce Brosnan’s stunt double in the James Bond film Die Another Day.
Kate Middleton and Prince William’s baby will become the first ever Prince or Princess of Cambridge, Buckingham Palace has announced today.
The official title of the royal baby, thought to be due on Saturday, July 13, will be His or Her Royal Highness the Prince or Princess of Cambridge.
The baby will be born at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, where William was born in 1982.
The Mayor of Cambridge, Councillor Paul Saunders, said it was a “great honor” for the historic city.
“It is a great honor and I’m sure the people of Cambridge will appreciate it greatly,” he said.
“I think it’s lovely to continue the close link with the Royal family. I think anything which helps to keep Cambridge in the public eye is a good thing as we rely on tourism.”
Former Cambridge mayor Cllr Sheila Stewart, who met Kate Middleton on the royal visit to the city last year, believes having a prince or princess is a first for the city.
“When we did a lot of research after it was first announced that the couple were to get the title, nothing like that was found. There were some dukes of Cambridge but not a prince or princess,” she said.
Kate Middleton’s baby will become the first ever Prince or Princess of Cambridge
The Dukedom of Cambridge was created in 1801 but became extinct on the death of the 2nd Duke of Cambridge in 1904.
It was bestowed upon Prince William on April 29, 2011, by the Queen on his wedding day.
A palace spokesman said: “The royal couple’s child will officially be known as His or Her Royal Highness the Prince or Princess of Cambridge.”
He said any other children the couple have will also be known by the same title.
Anticipation is mounting around the imminent birth, with photographers already camped out outside St Mary’s Hospital.
Once the baby has been safely delivered, Prince William’s first call will be to the Queen on an encrypted phone.
At the same time, the Royal couple’s private secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton will inform Prime Minister David Cameron and a small number of other highly placed individuals, including the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Back at Buckingham Palace, officials will notify the head of each of the 54 Commonwealth countries and the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For the public, an official notice announcing the birth will be placed in a glass-fronted easel and attached to the gates of the Palace.
Kate Middleton has been reportedly craving sugary sweets and hot vegetable curries made at the shop in her family’s village.
She first stumbled upon the tasty dinners when she went into Peach’s Spar, in Bucklebury, Berkshire, to buy bags of Haribo sweets – another firm favorite.
Kate Middleton has been craving sugary sweets and hot vegetable curries
The Duchess of Cambridge then clocked what was cooking in the upstairs kitchen. Chan Shingadia, who runs the convenience store with wife Hash, said: “My wife was cooking. Kate said it smelled lovely.”
Hash Shingadia added: “She said she had a craving so I made her a big batch to take away with rice and flatbreads.”
The Gujarati curry proved such a hit Kate Middleton has been a regular visitor.
“She last popped in a couple of weeks ago,” said Hash Shingadia.
Kate Middleton and Prince William have “decided not to find out” the gender of their baby, royal officials say.
The royal baby will be delivered in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, west London – where Princess Diana had her sons.
The baby is due in mid-July, and Prince William hopes he will be present if his RAF duties allow.
St James’s Palace officials have appealed for an “appropriate degree of sensitivity” regarding the birth.
It is understood Prince William will take two weeks’ paternity leave – as allowed by the Ministry of Defence – but royal officials said the length of the duchess’s maternity leave is a personal matter for her.
The birth was a “very personal matter for the duke and duchess,” officials said.
“But they also know it’s a time to celebrate and many will want to share in their joy.”
Asking for “sensitivity”, officials added that events at the King Edward VII Hospital – where a nurse was found hanged after a prank call to the hospital when the duchess was being treated for morning sickness – were “still strong in the memory”.
Kate Middleton and Prince William have decided not to find out the gender of their baby
The unborn child is in line to become the 43rd monarch since the Norman Conquest.
Once Kate Middleton goes into labor, there will be no further public statement until the baby is born and the Queen, the Middleton family and other senior Royals have been told.
The baby will be delivered by Marcus Setchell, the Queen’s gynaecologist.
When the baby is born, an official announcement will be signed by medical staff and driven to Buckingham Palace – almost certainly under police escort.
The notice will then be placed at the palace central gates. This will form the official announcement, as was the case when Prince William’s birth was announced 31 years ago this Friday.
Reports suggest there will also be a gun salute to mark the birth.
But the name of the child – who will be third in line to the throne – remains a subject for speculation. It is not yet known how long after the birth an announcement will be made.
When Prince Harry was born, the public were told his name the day his mother left hospital. But it took almost a week for his older brother’s name to be announced.
Princess Diana gave birth to both William, in 1982, and Harry, in 1984, in the Lindo Wing where fees for a delivery start at £5,000 ($8,000).
A palace spokesman asked the media to “ensure that the normal functions of the hospital are not impeded” by the presence of journalists.
Kate Middleton attended the Trooping the Colour ceremony on Saturday – the last time she is expected to be seen in public before the baby is due.
Celebrity lingerie designer Lorna Drew has revealed that Kate Middleton is a fan of her products.
Lorna Drew, who has dressed the likes of Jessica Simpson, Imogen Thomas, Una Healy and Fearne Cotton during their pregnancies, sent Kate Middleton some satin maternity lingerie – and was elated to hear from Kate’s people that she was “delighted” with the garments.
Kate Middleton, 31, is a fan of the Alexa Blue Satin bra and matching briefs by the designer, who is based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
The response from the Duchess of Cambridge was a lovely “thank you for the thoughtful gift”.
Lorna Drew, the MD of Lorna Drew Nursing Lingerie said: “I know Kate would be feeling pretty dreadful and thought that she could do with special gift, as nothing makes you feel great like beautiful lingerie, so we sent her some!”
Lorna Drew had met Kate Middleton back in 2008 before her marriage to Prince William.
She added: “Kate’s style is very elegant, she always looks feminine and chic so I knew she would love our nursing bras and knickers.
Kate Middleton is a fan of the Alexa Blue Satin bra and matching briefs by celebrity lingerie designer Lorna Drew
“I was delighted to bring a smile to Kate’s face after a difficult start to her pregnancy.”
Speaking to the Huffington Post, who revealed Kate Middleton’s lingerie secrets, Lorna Drew said: “I couldn’t believe the response we got when we sent Kate the underwear. We actually received an email back from Kate’s office saying she was <<delighted>> with it.
“It’s fantastic as the style is elegant and so perfect for Kate.
“Maternity underwear doesn’t have to be frumpy.”
Lorna Drew’s website states: “This beautiful satin nursing bra holds and supports to give amazing shape and lift while Brazilian cut briefs give a fashion edge to this design.
“The stunning color blocking in silky soft satin looks as good as it feels to wear. Smooth elastic strapping frames the bust and gold adjusters add the finishing touch to this uniquely stylish design.”
Lorna Drew, who aims her lingerie at “savvy yummy mummies”, believes that the pregnant silhouette is something to embrace, so designs all her briefs to sit discreetly under a woman’s bump.
Eight months pregnant Kate Middleton cut a fashion-forward figure as she appeared at Southhampton Docks yesterday to christen the Royal Princess.
Forgoing maternity clothes yet again, Kate Middleton looked chic in a £169 ($265) Dalmatian mac from High Street store Hobbs.
The water-resistant coat was the ideal choice for the blustery conditions at the waterside where Kate Middleton listened to a brass band play out before smashing a £1,250 Nebuchadnezzar – a 15 litre bottle of champagne the equivalent of 20 regular 75 cl bottles – on the ship’s hull.
The Duchess of Cambridge paired her coat with a sinamay hat with bow detail from royal favorite milliner Jane Taylor and black court shoes.
As has become her signature maternity style, Kate Middleton chose a dress shorter than the styles she wore prior to her pregnancy.
Eight months pregnant Kate Middleton cut a fashion-forward figure as she appeared at Southhampton Docks to christen the Royal Princess
With almost precisely one month to go before her reported due date of 14 July, Kate Middleton, still managing to wear non-maternity clothes, is an inspiration to women out there who feel frustrated by lack of choice in maternity shops.
This was to be the Duchess of Cambridge’s last solo engagement before her baby is born.
Kate Middleton looked relaxed as she stepped from her chauffeur-driven vehicle to the quayside in Southampton.
She made the journey from London by helicopter for the naming ceremony of Princess Cruises’ 3,600-passenger vessel Royal Princess.
Dalmatian-print Hobbs coat worn by Kate Middleton to launch Royal Princess cruise ship sold out in minutes
A musical extravaganza was staged ahead of the christening of the new vessel and blue carpet, not the customary red, was laid out for her arrival.
She took her place on a stage in blustery conditions that threatened rain.
Seated opposite in a large grandstand were guests associated with charities that have the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge or Prince Harry as their patrons.
Spectators were from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice, Kate Middleton’s charity, SkillForce which has prince William as its figurehead, and Prince Harry’s organization WellChild.
Kate Middleton is the new liner’s godmother, a symbolic position similar to a patron or sponsor that dates back to the mid-19th century when leading women were selected for the honor.
Princess Cruises has a history of illustrious godmothers for past ships including Diana, Princess of Wales, who named the first Princess Royal in 1984, actress Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, and Baroness Margaret Thatcher.
The Band of her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth accompanied by the Pipers of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards gave the start of the ceremonies a military flavor.
They lined Kate Middleton’s route to her seat after playing rousing tunes such as Pomp And Circumstance, sea shanties and a march called HMS Queen Elizabeth.
The Royal Princess in numbers:
3,600: Number of passengers the ship can accommodate at any given time
1,082: The ship’s length in feet
141,000: The gross tonnage of the Royal Princess
Five: The number of stops the ship will make on her maiden voyage. These include Barcelona, Gibraltar, Malaga, Lisbon and Vigo
10: The number of restaurants on board
One: The number of casinos on the Royal Princess
Two: The number of royal princesses at the naming ceremony. One is the ship itself, the other is Kate Middleton.
1,780: The number of staterooms on the Royal Princess
30: The number of days the leisurely voyage to Fort Lauderdale will take
Four: The number of Caribbean islands the Royal Princess will visit. They include the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands and St. Maarten.
Kate Middleton recently stepped out in a sale navy blue dress from high street brand ASOS.com.
Kate Middleton, 31, chose the navy knee-length dress as she shopped for curtains and drapes to decorate her unborn child’s nursery in Chelsea last week.
Kate Middleton recently stepped out in a sale navy blue dress from high street brand ASOS.com
The £17.50 ($27.50) dress was originally priced at £25 ($39), and the thrifty royal teamed it with a pair of her favorite £80 Pied a Terre wedges, creating a simple, stylish look that mothers-to-be are sure to rush to copy this summer.
The viscose dress comes in sizes 6-18 and three different colourways. It features an elasticated waist and is designed to grow with an expanding stomach, making it even better value for money as it will last for the duration of a pregnancy.
Kate Middleton wears a £17.50 maternity dress from online fashion site ASOS.com
It’s the first time Kate Middleton has been spotted in a maternity outfit by the retailer. Previously she has worn pretty Topshop dresses or customized designer pieces by pricier labels including Emilia Wickstead, Jenny Packham and Tara Jarmon.
ASOS.com’s maternity line features hundreds of items including on-trend dresses like Kate Middleton’s, tops, skirts, slogan T-shirts, jeans and swimwear.
The collection, created by the in-house design team, is described as allowing mothers-to-be to “stay chic throughout your pregnancy. Flattering your bump with gorgeous maternity dresses, jeans, tops, trousers and more, cleverly designed to accommodate your new curves’. It claims to ‘combine the stylishness of the mainline collection with pregnancy-friendly features such as soft ruching, adjustable fastenings and flexible waistbands, the perfect fusion of fashion, comfort and a flawless fit”.
Celebrity fans of the off-the-peg pregnancy styles include The Saturdays’ Frankie Sandford and Rochelle Hulmes and Fearne Cotton.
Kate Middleton is known for her eclectic wardrobe, whoch features both haute couture and high fashion, and her ability to mix the two on and off duty has earned her style plaudits from around the world.
With only five weeks to go until her due date, Kate Middleton wants to be sure her home is ready for the baby’s arrival.
Kate Middleton, 31, has been pictured shopping with a woman thought to be a lady-in-waiting for soft furnishings at the high-end interiors specialist Bernard Thorp in Chelsea, south-west London.
The visit last Tuesday saw the Duchess of Cambridge spend 45 minutes inside the shop to decorate the new nursery at Kensington Palace in central London, less than six weeks before her due date of July 13.
Just hours earlier Kate Middleton had been with her husband Prince William, 30, and around 2,000 other guests at Westminster Abbey for a grand service to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation.
Kate Middleton pictured shopping at high-end interiors Bernard Thorp in Chelsea
There Kate Middleton wore a delicate daisy lace dress with silver-grey ribbon detail and a soft peach shantung jacket with nude heels, before changing into a navy blue dress and magenta cardigan for her shop.
The front of the store was decked out in light blue, but there was no indication that she bought the color. It was in fact reported that Kate Middleton picked out beige and brown English handmade fabrics inside.
“Kate was fascinated by all the designs and picked out two,” a source told the Daily Star Sunday.
“She had very definite ideas about what she liked. It was boiling hot outside so the door was open.
“She was feeling the heat so we sat her down with a glass of water. The Duchess was charming and so lovely. She didn’t put on any airs or graces. She said she’d got so many ideas after coming in.”
Kate Middleton has one more scheduled official public engagement before she goes on maternity leave, when she names a ship on Thursday in Southampton, Hampshire.
The duchess will also attend Trooping the Colour next week to mark the Queen’s birthday – and is debating whether to join Prince William at the Order of the Garter ceremony in Windsor a few days later.
Bernard Thorp, which was founded in 1971, says on its website that its “hand screen printed fabrics and wall coverings are of impeccable quality with an ethos of service second to none”.
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