The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have said they have been "touched" by the public's reaction ahead of the birth of their second child. In a statement released as they await the arrival of their new baby, Prince William and Duchess Kate said they were "hugely grateful for the warm wishes they have received from people throughout the UK and indeed around the world over the last few months".It continued: "They know that people are excited Prince George will soon have a little brother or sister and it means a great deal to them that so many will be celebrating this important moment for their family.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Duke and Duchess have been "touched" by the public reaction to their baby news
"They are very appreciative that so many people share their excitement as they await the arrival of their second baby. "Keen to recognise the public's enthusiasm for the new royal addition, whose gender won't be known until he or she is born, the Queen recently approved the decision for a new £5 coin to be released in conjunction with the little one's arrival.When Prince George was born, The Royal Mint produced 10,000 solid silver crown-sized £5 coins – which cost £80 each – and 2,013 22 carat gold sovereigns, priced at £800 each.Both coins, which featured the newborn's namesake St George, sold out within days.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Duke and Duchess are keen to have more privacy when Kate goes into labour
As they count down the days until the arrival of baby number two, William and Kate have decided how they would like procedures to differ from when they welcomed George. Insiders have said the royal couple are keen to avoid the media circus that surrounded their birth of their first-born in July 2013.An aide stated: "We would appeal to all media to respect the family nature of this moment and provide the appropriate amount of privacy that they should be able to expect. "With that in mind, reporters and photographers have been told not to wait outside the hospital door until after the Duchess goes into labour.
