The Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, is set to name her second royal baby Alice, if bets made by the public are anything to go by. According to William Hill, the bookmakers have seen a fresh wave of punters believing that Prince William and Kate's second baby will be called Alice.
The name is a traditional one in the British royal family and has been thrown around in recent weeks as a popular choice.
Bookmakers noted that a group of royal fans in Tunbridge, Kent have placed a large amount of bets on the name Alice, causing them to slash the odds to 4/1. Competing company Ladbrokes have also cut the odds to 3/1.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Duchess of Cambridge is due to give birth in "mid-to-late April"
"We have seen a significant number of bets, particularly from the Tunbridge area – you have to think there is a good reason for the gamble," a statement from William Hill revealed.
One person wagered approximately £300 on the name, meaning it would cost bookies over £4,500 if the royal baby did turn out to be called Alice.
The pretty name would give a nod to Queen Victoria's second daughter, Alice Maud Mary. The late royal was famous for her compassionate nature and relentless advocacy of women's rights – two qualities that would be encouraged in a modern monarch.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe majority of punters have betted that Prince William and Kate will have a daughter
William and Kate themselves do not know the gender of their second child, but with Kate's April due date fast approaching, the majority of punters are betting that the Duchess will have a daughter. Over 70 per cent of William Hill customers are backing a baby girl.
Elizabeth is proving to be the second most popular name with odds at 9/2, followed by Charlotte at 11/2 and Victoria at 12/1. The front-runner for a boy's name is Arthur at 20/1.
Kate recently revealed that she was due in "mid-to-late April" and if she does give birth near the Queen's birthday on 21 April, Elizabeth would make for a fitting choice.
Whatever they choose to name their little Prince or Princess, William and Kate will take joy in the fact that their second child will be born just days within their fourth-wedding anniversary, which falls on 29 April.
