This is a close look outside the London hospital designated to deliver the first child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge , better known as Prince William and Kate Middleton. Britain’s royal baby preparations: The world is eagerly anticipating the first child of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
Catherine is set to give birth at St. Mary’s Hospital in London, where William was born in 1982. The weeks-long Royal Baby Watch, punctuated by speculation that the duchess has in fact gone into labor or will be sneaked into another hospital, has engaged even the most eminent of relatives. In response to a child’s question this week about whether she preferred a great-grandson or great-granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II remarked: “I don’t think I mind.” Then the sovereign noted: “I would very much like it to arrive. I’m going on holiday. No sign yet.”
Kate Middleton is giving birth to a future British monarch. We love her for this. We love her for everything — even if we don’t always think about why.
During William and Kate’s years-long courtship, media coverage of the couple included intense speculation that Kate, a commoner by birth, might not have been a suitable partner for the future king. For Americans, it is easy to view the couple’s narrative in fairy-tale terms: Ordinary girl marries tall, handsome prince, leveling society’s class system. This makes sense when one gets to appreciate the monarchy’s pomp, circumstance and bling without any of its expense or constitutional details.
