Kate Middleton and Prince William are resting at the Middleton family home as they await the arrival of their first baby. With the world's press maintaining a 24-hour vigil outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's hospital in Paddington, the parents-to-be are some 50 miles away in the Berkshire village of Bucklebury.William is currently on a period of rest days from his RAF duties, and has joined his pregnant wife at her family's £4.85million Georgian home.
It is thought that the Duchess is now past her due date — it was originally reported that the royal baby was expected to arrive on 13 July, but William's presence at a charity polo match on that day suggested the big day was later than that.The Middleton family themselves fuelled speculation the baby's arrival was not imminent when they joined the British royal for the Queen's Coronation Festival on 11 July.Kate's mother Carole has reputedly told friends that she believes the baby will be a Leo, meaning she believes it will arrive on or after 23rd July. Kensington Palace have only ever confirmed that the baby is due in "mid-July".Meanwhile, members of the press have started to also gather outside the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading — the nearest hospital to the family home.While aides have confirmed that the Duchess fully intends to have her baby in the private Lindo Wing, it is being reported that there is a contingency plan in place for a birth at the Reading facility, where Kate was born in 1982.Should her labour progress more quickly than expected, the Duchess could be whisked to the Royal Berkshire, which is less than 30 minutes away from Bucklebury. But by far the most likely scenario is that she will make the 53-mile trip to London.
The mum-to-be is said to be "calm" and "relaxed" in the final days of her pregnancy.
With her firstborn due to make an appearance any day now, the next time we are likely to see Kate it will be with her baby in her arms. It will be a truly joyful event, celebrated all around the world — and, of course, behind closed doors as William and Kate enjoy those precious first moments with their child.
