Kate Middleton Royal Baby Watch: Is Duchess Kate Going In Labor Yet?
Kate Middleton is rapidly approaching her due date, and as the royal baby watch grows more intense, many people are taking to the internet and camping outside a London hospital to see if Duchess Kate is in labor yet.
While there was never any official announcement from the royal family about Kate Middleton’s due date, the palace did confirm that she is due in April. Combined with past reports that placed her due date sometime around the middle to end of the month, the news has people around the world on round-the-clock watch.
So far, there are no signs that Kate Middleton is in labor, though those following along will likely know within minutes. Royal baby enthusiasts have already started gathering outside the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital, where Duchess Kate is expected to deliver the royal baby.
Police have erected barriers outside the hospital, keeping journalists and fans at a reasonable distance for when Duchess Kate goes into labor.
As Hello! magazine noted, the royal baby watch has attracted some very dedicated followers.
“Among the royal enthusiasts gathered outside the hospital is John Loughery, a self-confessed ‘super fan’ who has been present at every major royal event over the last ten years. The former chef camped out overnight ahead of Prince William and Kate’s wedding in 2011 and was the only member of the public to attend every day of the 2008 inquest into Princess Diana’s death.”
Also camping out at the Lindo Wing is Margaret Tyler, a 71-year-old who has collected close to $15,000 worth of royal memorabilia.
“I was there for six days. [My son] Andrew was born at St. Mary’s and I was only there for two days,” she said. “I just wanted to feel close to them [William and Kate], I suppose, I spent the time meeting people and chatting. I was convinced it was going to be a girl, but it wasn’t.”
That’s not the only place people are waiting to see if Kate Middleton is going into labor. Many online — from Twitter to Facebook to Google searches — are trying to keep track of the royal baby watch, making it a rapidly trending topic.
While there is much speculation as to Duchess Kate’s due date, fans are also trying to guess the name of the new royal baby. While the royal family hasn’t given any hints as to the name that Kate Middleton and Prince William have in mind — or even the royal baby’s gender — CNN Royal Commentator Vicotria Arbiter has some ideas.
“There has been a lot of talk about James, but people kept saying that they wouldn’t pick James because of James Middleton, the reason more they wouldn’t pick James is because Prince Edward’s son is called James,” she told E! News. “I don’t think they will want to repeat the name of a current living member of the Royal family. Perhaps a middle name. You might see Michael in there for a middle for a boy, but not a first name.”
All of the speculation will likely be over sooner rather than later. While there is still no exact due date for Kate Middleton, many expect Duchess Kate to go into labor sometime in the next week.
[Image via Getty Images]
