The final countdown has begun to the arrival of the second Royal baby! Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton is due to give birth to her second child this month, and the family as well as palace officials are heavily into prep mode.
Prince William is currently training for his Bond Air Services job with the East Anglian Air Ambulance, which is currently based in three locations: Cambridge, Norwich, and Staverton. It is possible he will be working when his wife goes into labor, but a source tells Us Weekly he will “never be more than a couple hours drive from London.”
The future baby’s uncle, Prince Harry, is also likely to be away for the little Royal’s birth, traveling in Australia. But a source tells Us, the Royal will be informed of his niece or nephew’s arrival no matter the time of day.
Another potentially absent family member: older brother Prince George.
The decision to bring the third in line to the throne for the big hospital photo reveal will be left up until the day of the event.
And the public aren’t the only ones being kept in the dark about the baby’s gender.
“Like last time, the Duke and Duchess do not know if the baby will be a boy or a girl,” the source continues, with another source noting, “The Duke and Duchess don’t plan to take on any additional child care.”
While the world waits with bated breath for the little one’s arrival, one source reveals, “There are always contingencies in place” in the event that Middleton, 33, goes into labor early.
At the present, she is expected to be treated by Dr. Guy Calthorpe Easton in the Lindo Wing, and all announcements of the birth, gender, and name will be made on an easel (the same used for George’s birth) outside of Buckingham Palace.
“The Duke and Duchess are hugely grateful for the warm wishes they have received from people throughout the UK and indeed round the world over the last few months,” a senior Kensington Palace source tells Us. “They know that people are excited that Prince George will soon have a brother or sister and it means a great deal to them that so many will be celebrating this important moment for their family.”