The Middletons, Kate's warm and happy family were one of the big draws for Prince William when he married his love - and he will no doubt be keen to replicate their lifestyle with his own firstborn. In Kate's family William saw stability and togetherness and for the Prince, whose own parents divorced when he was nine, Carole and Michael's strong relationship was ideal.
Happy in the company of his adopted family, William often visits their Berkshire home and the expectant couple were spending the weekend with William’s in-laws when Kate's sickness meant she was taken to hospital.
When the couple announced their engagement back in November 2010 the Middletons released a series of their own personal photos, including a charming image of William and Kate together on their graduation day. Kate attended the University of St Andrews following her schooling at St Andrews preparatory and Malborough College as well as a brief spell at school in Jordan during her early years.
Born to be King, William's own up-bringing was rather different to that of his wife's. Growing up in Kensington Palace under the care of several nannies, the Prince was once told by his younger brother Harry that he couldn't be a policeman because of his extraordinary birthright.William is sure to be a hands-on dad and insiders agree he will no doubt take his turn to change nappies and look after the little one at night. The 30-year-old Duke is likely to take time off from his duties as his father Charles did before him. The Prince of Wales put his official engagements on hold to spend quality time with his young son in his nursery and at bath time, although this was not for a sustained period of time.
Keen to change this with his own offspring a close friend of the future King's said "I can see William wanting to take time off in the modern paternity-style, so that he bonds with his child. "From the age of 15 William has been honing his parenting skills. In 1999 The Duke of Cambridge was asked to be godfather to Constantine Alexio, heir to the Greek throne, and attended the christening of the London-based royal. William's two other godchildren played a significant part in his momentous wedding. Joining the bridal party as a page boy was Thomas Pettifer, the son of William's former nanny Tiggy Pettifer and alongside him was the Duke's goddaughter Grace Van Cutsem.
Flower-girl-Grace, whose parents are William's close friends Hugh and Rose, made a name for herself for famously frowning as the royal couple kissed on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
As William amd Kate look towards the birth of their own child royal watchers will no doubt begin to speculate who they will choose as godparents for the future monarch.
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