Kate Middleton will give birth at the same hospital where Princess Diana gave birth to Prince William and Prince Harry.Despite widespread speculation that Kate is having a daughter, aides insist that this is pure speculation. "The Duke and Duchess do not know the sex of their baby and don’t want to find out," said an aide.
The baby, who will become third in line to the throne, will be delivered at the private Lindo Wing in St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London. "The baby is due in mid July," a source told HELLO!."When he or she is born the announcement including the baby's gender, weight and time of birth will be posted on an easel on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. "The baby will be named at a later date."
It has also been revealed that royal gynaecologist, Doctor Marcus Setchell, will supervise the birth. Dr Setchell helped Sophie, Countess of Wessex deliver her two children and cared for Sophie following her ectopic pregnancy in 2001.The Lindo Wing, within one of London's NHS-run teaching hospitals, has welcomed previous royal babies including Zara Phillips and Peter Phillips. According to the hospital's website, a normal delivery package costs £4,965 for the first 24 hours, rising to £6,420 for the first 24 hours of a Caesarean birth.
William plans to be at his wife's bedside and Kate is said to be keen on a natural birth.
After the birth William plans to take two weeks paternity leave from RAF Valley in Anglesey. New mum Kate will take maternity leave, although it is not known how much time she will take off.