Prince William may have a two-hour dash to be at Kate's side at birth due to Air Ambulance training

April 9, 2015Apr 9, 2015, 11:09 AM GMT+1

As the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, prepare to welcome their second child, royal aides have confirmed that Prince Williammay have a two-hour dash to be at Kate's side when she goes into labour. The second-in-line to the throne will be in the middle of his training with the East Anglian Air Ambulance, and will be covering three different areas, Gloucestershire, Norwich and Cambridge.

Prince William has begun his training at Bond Air Services

A source added: "[William] is at work now. He is working across three different locations. He will never be more than a couple of hours drive away."

The Prince will most likely be raced back to the capital with a police escort. The possibility of taking a helicopter to London may also be open, but royal aides refused to give a clear answer on the matter.

Prince William in his RAF seach and rescue uniform

The information came from a palace briefing on Thursday, which also made clear that contingency plans are in place at other hospitals across the country, including Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge and the Royal Berkshire Hospital, which is close to Kate’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton.

Kate will be based at Kensington Palace for the last few weeks of her pregnancy, which is just a short drive to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital near Paddington. This is also where William and Kate welcomed Prince George in 2013.

Kate and WIlliam leave the Lindo Wing in 2013

In another statement read on Thursday, a spokesman for the royal couple admitted that the Duke and Duchess 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.

"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.

"They are very appreciative that so many people share their excitement as they await the arrival of their second baby."

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