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Prince William Starts Paternity Leave Early, Prince Harry Could Be in UK for Baby’s Birth

Kate Middleton has had good news about both Prince William and Prince
Kate Middleton has had good news about both Prince William and Prince Harry

Kate Middleton was expecting to spend the last days of her pregnancy at Kensington Palace while Prince William worked 115 miles away in Norfolk — but she’s been given a happy surprise.

Related: PHOTOS: Kate Middleton's stylish second pregnancy

The Duke of Cambridge, 32, has started his paternity leave early after completing the first phase of his air ambulance training ahead of time, meaning he can be by The Duchess of Cambridge's side as she prepares to give birth to her second child.

The Prince, who is training to become an air ambulance helicopter pilot with Bond Air Services in Norfolk, was due to remain at his and the Duchess of Cambridge's country residence, Amner Hall, in the run up to the birth of their second child.

The distance apart meant that if the Duchess went into labor while William was at work, he faced a two hour drive to London.

Related: PHOTOS: Adorable Prince George

Originally, the Duchess, 33, who is currently residing at Kensington Palace to be near to St. Mary’s Hospital, was expected to remain at the couple's London home with their first son, Prince George, in the days leading up to her due date.

But thanks to some hard work, and some unseasonably pleasant British weather, the future King of England has completed the first phase of his training early, and has embarked on his unpaid paternity leave ahead of schedule. 

"The Duke of Cambridge has completed the first phase of his in-work air ambulance helicopter pilot training with Bond Air Services earlier than anticipated," a Kensington Palace spokesperson tells Us Weekly. "This is due to a combination of The Duke performing well in the various modules and having very good flying conditions that allowed flight training and assessment to progress more quickly than had been planned," they added.

 

William will not have to return to Norfolk for the final part of his training until June 1, as was always planned, following a "period of official royal engagements in late May, details of which will be announced in due course," the rep continues.

Related: PHOTOS: The Royal trio in Australia

And Prince William's early return to London isn't the only piece of good news! Kensington Palace has also revealed that her brother-in-law, Prince Harry, 30, will be jetting back to England from Australia, where he's currently serving a military attachment with the Australian Defence Force, this weekend, to attend a London Marathon event.

"Prince Harry will briefly return to the U.K. this weekend following the Gallipoli commemorations in Turkey, to attend the London Marathon as Patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust," the palace tells Us.

Related: PHOTOS: 2014's babies of the year

Prior to this announcement it was deemed unlikely that Prince Harry would be in the country at all around the time of the second Royal baby’s birth.

"Prince Harry's attendance at the London Marathon is a long-standing commitment," the Palace reveals, "but was dependent on the finalisation of his programme with the Australian Defence Force and confirmation of travel arrangements to and from Turkey."

But the trip will be a quick one for Prince William’s younger brother, and Harry will be hoping his future niece or nephew puts in an appearance before the end of the weekend. Baby or not, the Prince will have to leave the U.K. on Monday, April 27, to return to Australia.

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