Prince William and Kate have always known they can rely on the support of a close-knit circle of trusted friends and employees, and with a second baby about to make an entrance, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will no doubt be counting on them now more than ever.
Kate is thought to be several days past her due date already. When the little Prince or Princess is finally delivered at the exclusive Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London, the family will be able to enjoy the first few precious hours with the new arrival, safe in the knowledge that their A-team are managing the finer details of royal protocol and just ensuring everything goes according to plan.
VIDEO: watch the live stream of the Lindo Wing
Read on for more about the key people helping William and Kate.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince William and Kate are expecting their second royal baby any day now
Kate's right-hand woman and private secretary Rebecca Deacon visited the Duchess in hospital when Prince George was born in 2013, and made sure the new mum was ready to face the waiting media and well-wishers outside.
Rebecca, who has become a close friend, organises Kate's work diary and regularly accompanies the Duchess on official engagements, including her trip abroad to Australia and New Zealand last year.
She makes sure that not a hair is out of place when Kate makes public appearances, and ever since she first started working with the royals in 2007, Rebecca has become a trusted figure and adviser. She knows when to stand back and let Kate, who is similar in age, meet the public, and also when to step forward and help out at engagements.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKate's private secretary Rebecca Deacon regularly accompanies the royal on official engagements
Her counterpart for Prince William comes in the form of private secretary Miguel Head, who similarly organises the Duke's work schedule. Miguel was one of the first employees to arrive at the Lindo Wing to congratulate the first-time parents when George was born.
Before the royal couple present their second baby to the world, Kate will have her personal assistant Natasha Archer and her hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker on hand. The duo, who helped Kate get ready for her first appearance as a mum, will most likely be called to the hospital again for the second birth.
© Photo: Getty ImagesHairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker will be helping the Duchess get ready before her big appearance on the Lindo Wing steps
Natasha, or Tash as she is fondly called in royal circles, was part of Kate's close entourage during her tour of Australia and New Zealand and is reportedly the creative force behind the Duchess' chic and impeccable style.
She was spotted entering the Lindo Wing after George's birth, carrying a car seat and a dress bag, leaving royal watchers to wonder whether she was the one who chose the iconic blue polka dot Jenny Packham dress that Kate stepped out in.
Hairdresser Amanda, who is the woman behind Kate's trademark luscious locks, has also been a constant support for the Duchess, and will no doubt make sure the royal is looking fabulous for her post-baby appearance.
© Photo: Getty ImagesSpanish nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo has been looking after George since he was a few months old
It is not yet know whether toddler Prince George, who turns two in July, will go to the hospital to meet his younger sibling, or whether he'll be waiting at home in Kensington Palace with his nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.
The Spanish childminder, or Supernanny as she is dubbed by the press, was employed a few months after George was born. Maria was trained at the prestigious Norland College and will continue to look after George when the second royal baby arrives, as William and Kate focus on their new Prince or Princess.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKate's mum Carole Middleton showed her daughter the ropes when she became a mother for the first time to Prince George
Kate's mother Carole Middleton and showed her daughter the ropes when she became a mum for the first time. The Duchess spent the first few weeks of motherhood at her family home in Berkshire, under Carole's wing, and it is expected she will do the same this time around.
When she's not in Berkshire however, Kate will most likely be bonding with her new baby in her country house of Anmer Hall in Norfolk. The Cambridges have been using it as their base outside of London for a while now, especially after it was renovated.
© Photo: Getty ImagesEmilia Jardine-Paterson is one of George's godmothers and a close school friend of Kate's
Kate's school friend Emilia Jardine-Paterson, née d'Erlanger, is one half of interior designers d'Erlanger and Sloan, and is said to have given the Duchess tips on how to redecorate both Anmer Hall and Kensington Palace.
Emilia has also been credited as the matchmaker who introduced William and Kate at university, and was chosen by the royal couple to be one of George's godmothers.
