The Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, has had the nation guessing on her due date, with some punters placing bets that she will give birth as early as March. Clarence House, however, previously stated that Kate and her husband Prince William would welcome their second baby in April, but no exact date was given.
Speaking at a charity engagement on Wednesday, Kate gave more of a clue as to when her child will be born – "mid-to-end of April".
The royal, who is eight months pregnant, was visiting a children's centre in Woolwich, London that is run by charity Home-Start. Kate had the chance to speak to fellow mums and families who use the charity's services, and volunteers who work for the organisation.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKate revealed that her due date was the "mid-to-end of April"
"I told her she is beautiful and that she's got a tiny little bump," said volunteer Christie Osborne, 49. "I asked when her baby is due and she said mid-to-end of April."
Kate, who was pictured cradling her baby bump during the engagement, was also overheard saying: "Not long to go now."
During the visit the Duchess, 33, learnt about how the charity helps struggling families and youngsters who are facing all sorts of issues, from isolation, mental ill health, bereavement, multiple births, illness or disability.
© Photo: Rex"Oh that's perfect!" laughed Kate, when she was handed a potty training book for George
Kate kicked off her visit with a coffee morning, followed by an observation of a volunteer training session and wrapped up the day with a visit to the Together for Twos' crèche.
Prince George's mum was showered with practical gifts for her firstborn, who is now 19-months-old. Marvellous Nyanhi and her son Tinashe were pictured giving Kate a basket for her toddler, which included an Elmer the Patchwork Elephant book, a potty training book, a colour-sorting clock and a manual on how to teach children to tie their shoelaces.
"Oh that's perfect," laughed Kate, pointing at the potty training book. "We will certainly be needing that!"
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe pregnant Duchess was also heard saying "Not long to go now"
Marvellous, 35, said of their encounter: "The Duchess had a chat with my little one and she asked about the colour of the flowers. She asked me why I'm here so I told her I was a supported family at first because I was in a really bad place at the time, but now I have trained to be a Home Start volunteer."
Earlier this week Kate's April due date was pulled into question. A flurry of bets forced bookmaker Paddy Power to slash the odds on a March birth from 6/1 to 9/2, after gamblers predicted that Kate would be welcoming her royal baby weeks before previously thought.
Other reports also stated that Kate would give birth nearer the beginning of April, after she almost didn't attend the launch of a poppy installation at the Tower of London, because she was already "suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum."
