Speculation is growing that Prince Edward's wife Sophie may be expecting her second child after Buckingham Palace declined to deny reports that she is three months pregnant.
While the Palace described the press coverage as "purely speculative", it is believed the Earl and Countess, who have made no secret of their desire for a second child, would be reluctant to confirm the news in the early stages due to the problems surrounding the 40-year-old's earlier pregnancies.
In December 2001 Sophie was rushed to hospital critically ill with an ectopic pregnancy. Two years later, her daughter Lady Louise arrived a month early and had to be delivered by Caesarean section after she collapsed at home with internal bleeding.
Meanwhile, Sophie is not the only royal daughter-in-law to be celebrating good news. Prince Andrew's wife Sarah must also be feeling upbeat after being welcomed back into the royal fold after an absence of 13 years.
The Duchess of York, who was effectively banished from official circles after a toe-sucking incident in 1992, has just spent three days at Balmoral with her former husband, their daughters and other members of the royal family, including the Queen.
The invitation meant that Fergie - who stayed just three days before jetting off to Gibraltar on Thursday - was able to participate in the festivities to mark Princess Beatrice's 17th birthday on Monday.
"It's a huge climbdown by senior royals and marks a turning point for the whole family," said a royal source.
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