Royal
Royal
Britain's Royal household is prepared for the Duchess of Cambridge to go into labour.
The 33-year-old royal - who is expecting her second child with her husband Prince William - is said to have been staying with her hubby at their residence in Kensington Palace since Sunday (19.04.15) with their bags packed and ready to go to the Lindo Wing at St Mary's hospital at a moment's notice.
Prince William, 32, recently ended his Air Ambulance helicopter pilot training early and returned to London to start his paternity leave and be close to the brunette beauty incase she goes into labour.
Meanwhile, the Duchess has been splitting her time between visiting her parents Michael and Carole Middleton in Bucklebury, Berkshire and the family's country residence, Amner Hall, in Norfolk.
Both the Royal Berkshire hospital in Reading and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, Norfolk, have been put on standby in case the Duchess should go into labour, but it appears royal fans are certain the Duchess will give birth in the Lindo Wing - where the couple welcomed their son Prince George in July 2013 - and have already started to gather outside.
One crowd member, Margaret, told HELLO! magazine: "I am very excited, over the moon. I am mostly going to be here until it all happens. I wake up every night to put the TV on to check if anything has happened."
Royal Household is prepared for birthday
Britain's Royal household is prepared for the Duchess of Cambridge to go into labour.
The 33-year-old royal - who is expecting her second child with her husband Prince William - is said to have been staying with her hubby at their residence in Kensington Palace since Sunday (19.04.15) with their bags packed and ready to go to the Lindo Wing at St Mary's hospital at a moment's notice.
Prince William, 32, recently ended his Air Ambulance helicopter pilot training early and returned to London to start his paternity leave and be close to the brunette beauty incase she goes into labour.
Meanwhile, the Duchess has been splitting her time between visiting her parents Michael and Carole Middleton in Bucklebury, Berkshire and the family's country residence, Amner Hall, in Norfolk.
Both the Royal Berkshire hospital in Reading and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, Norfolk, have been put on standby in case the Duchess should go into labour, but it appears royal fans are certain the Duchess will give birth in the Lindo Wing - where the couple welcomed their son Prince George in July 2013 - and have already started to gather outside.
One crowd member, Margaret, told HELLO! magazine: "I am very excited, over the moon. I am mostly going to be here until it all happens. I wake up every night to put the TV on to check if anything has happened."
Royal
Britain's Queen Elizabeth has honoured Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, with a knighthood.
The 89-year-old monarch presented her husband, 93, with a Knight of the Order of Australia medal at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle yesterday (22.04.15), which was attended by Alex Downer, Australia's high commissioner in the UK.
A statement from Buckingham Palace reads: "The Queen today invested the Duke of Edinburgh with the insignia of a Knight of the Order of Australia at Windsor Castle."
Prince Philip was put forward for the honour by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and was announced as the recipient in January this year after the Queen agreed to his suggestion.
His citation said: "For three-quarters of a century, Prince Philip has served the Crown, and the wider Commonwealth. He served originally as an officer in the Royal Navy and then as a member of the Royal Family.
"He has served Australia with distinction and is patron of over 800 organisations."
However, according to the Daily Express newspaper, the Prime Minister has since come under fire in Australia with critics claiming the knighthood should have been bestowed on an Australian national instead.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth honours Prince Philip with knighthood
Britain's Queen Elizabeth has honoured Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, with a knighthood.
The 89-year-old monarch presented her husband, 93, with a Knight of the Order of Australia medal at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle yesterday (22.04.15), which was attended by Alex Downer, Australia's high commissioner in the UK.
A statement from Buckingham Palace reads: "The Queen today invested the Duke of Edinburgh with the insignia of a Knight of the Order of Australia at Windsor Castle."
Prince Philip was put forward for the honour by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and was announced as the recipient in January this year after the Queen agreed to his suggestion.
His citation said: "For three-quarters of a century, Prince Philip has served the Crown, and the wider Commonwealth. He served originally as an officer in the Royal Navy and then as a member of the Royal Family.
"He has served Australia with distinction and is patron of over 800 organisations."
However, according to the Daily Express newspaper, the Prime Minister has since come under fire in Australia with critics claiming the knighthood should have been bestowed on an Australian national instead.
Royal
Britain's Duchess of Cambridge wants more children.
The 33-year-old royal - who is expecting her second child with her husband Prince William any day now - is already keen to extend her brood and is unlikely to "stop at two" babies.
Addressing speculation the new royal baby will be a Princess, the Duchess' uncle Gary Goldsmith told HELLO! magazine: "I don't think they'll stop at two, so if it isn't a girl this time round, people shouldn't be too disappointed.
"I'm sure there'll be a girl in the mix at some point. As long as the baby is healthy, that is the important thing."
Gary added he is certain that if the baby is a girl, she will take after his niece and inherit the brunette beauty's good looks.
He said: "Kate was a beautiful girl and if she were to have a girl, she'll be equally as beautiful."
Around 90 per cent of bets wagered on the gender of the royal baby have been placed on the Duchess giving birth to a girl.
Prince William's father, Prince Charles, is also hoping the Duchess will give birth to a sister for the couple's son, Prince George.
Speaking to onlookers who have gathered outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's hospital in London - where the Duchess is set to give birth - he said: "I hope it will be a girl this time."
Britain’s Duchess of Cambridge wants more children
Britain's Duchess of Cambridge wants more children.
The 33-year-old royal - who is expecting her second child with her husband Prince William any day now - is already keen to extend her brood and is unlikely to "stop at two" babies.
Addressing speculation the new royal baby will be a Princess, the Duchess' uncle Gary Goldsmith told HELLO! magazine: "I don't think they'll stop at two, so if it isn't a girl this time round, people shouldn't be too disappointed.
"I'm sure there'll be a girl in the mix at some point. As long as the baby is healthy, that is the important thing."
Gary added he is certain that if the baby is a girl, she will take after his niece and inherit the brunette beauty's good looks.
He said: "Kate was a beautiful girl and if she were to have a girl, she'll be equally as beautiful."
Around 90 per cent of bets wagered on the gender of the royal baby have been placed on the Duchess giving birth to a girl.
Prince William's father, Prince Charles, is also hoping the Duchess will give birth to a sister for the couple's son, Prince George.
Speaking to onlookers who have gathered outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's hospital in London - where the Duchess is set to give birth - he said: "I hope it will be a girl this time."
Royal
Britain's Prince Harry will return to the UK for the London marathon.
The 30-year-old royal - who is currently touring Australia - will jet back to the UK for the annual event on Sunday (26.04.15), which could also give him the chance to meet his new niece or nephew who is due on Saturday (25.04.15).
While it was initially thought Harry would be absent from the birth of his brother Prince William's second child with his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, it appears he will now be in the UK over the period the 33-year-old royal is expected to go into labour, reports HELLO! magazine.
Prince Harry will be close enough to attend the race as he is due to fly to Turkey on Saturday to commemorate the Gallipoli campaign with Australian Defence Force personnel as part of the World War One centenary celebrations.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry - who is a Patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust - said: "Prince Harry's attendance at the London Marathon is a long-standing commitment but was dependent on the finalisation of his programme with the Australian Defence Force and confirmation of travel arrangements to and from Turkey."
He will return to Australia on Monday (27.04.15).
Britain’s Prince Harry to return to London
Britain's Prince Harry will return to the UK for the London marathon.
The 30-year-old royal - who is currently touring Australia - will jet back to the UK for the annual event on Sunday (26.04.15), which could also give him the chance to meet his new niece or nephew who is due on Saturday (25.04.15).
While it was initially thought Harry would be absent from the birth of his brother Prince William's second child with his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, it appears he will now be in the UK over the period the 33-year-old royal is expected to go into labour, reports HELLO! magazine.
Prince Harry will be close enough to attend the race as he is due to fly to Turkey on Saturday to commemorate the Gallipoli campaign with Australian Defence Force personnel as part of the World War One centenary celebrations.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry - who is a Patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust - said: "Prince Harry's attendance at the London Marathon is a long-standing commitment but was dependent on the finalisation of his programme with the Australian Defence Force and confirmation of travel arrangements to and from Turkey."
He will return to Australia on Monday (27.04.15).
Royal
Britain's Prince William has started his paternity leave.
The 32-year-old royal - who is expecting his second child with his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, any day now - has ended his Air Ambulance helicopter pilot training early to be close to the brunette beauty when she goes into labour.
According to the Daily Express newspaper, the prince won't return to his training until June 1 as his unpaid paternity leave also coincides with a series of royal engagements.
A spokesperson for Kensington Palace said: "The Duke of Cambridge has completed the first phase of his in-work air ambulance helicopter pilot training with Bond Air Services earlier than anticipated.
"This is due to a combination of the Duke performing well in the various modules and having very good flying conditions that allowed flight training and assessment to progress more quickly than had been planned.
"His final block of in-work training requires an uninterrupted three-week block of working time and the availability of the new EC145 helicopter that will be used for missions.
"As he now will not have any further training to complete after returning from paternity leave, he will not return to duties with Bond until that time, and will remain on unpaid leave until then."
The Duchess - whose due date is April 25 - is reportedly set to give birth in the Lindo Wing at St Mary's hospital in Paddington, London, where the couple's first child Prince George was born in July 2013.
Britain’s Prince William starts paternity leave
Britain's Prince William has started his paternity leave.
The 32-year-old royal - who is expecting his second child with his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, any day now - has ended his Air Ambulance helicopter pilot training early to be close to the brunette beauty when she goes into labour.
According to the Daily Express newspaper, the prince won't return to his training until June 1 as his unpaid paternity leave also coincides with a series of royal engagements.
A spokesperson for Kensington Palace said: "The Duke of Cambridge has completed the first phase of his in-work air ambulance helicopter pilot training with Bond Air Services earlier than anticipated.
"This is due to a combination of the Duke performing well in the various modules and having very good flying conditions that allowed flight training and assessment to progress more quickly than had been planned.
"His final block of in-work training requires an uninterrupted three-week block of working time and the availability of the new EC145 helicopter that will be used for missions.
"As he now will not have any further training to complete after returning from paternity leave, he will not return to duties with Bond until that time, and will remain on unpaid leave until then."
The Duchess - whose due date is April 25 - is reportedly set to give birth in the Lindo Wing at St Mary's hospital in Paddington, London, where the couple's first child Prince George was born in July 2013.
Royal
Britain's Prince Charles will visit the Republic of Ireland next month.
The heir apparent and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, will embark on a four day tour in mid May, during which they will also stop over in Northern Ireland.
The 66-year-old royal - who first visited the Republic of Ireland in 1995 - will reportedly visit Mullaghmore in County Sligo, the site where his great-uncle Lord Mountbatten was killed at the hands of the IRA in 1979.
According to BBC News, the itinerary isn't yet finalised but the couple are also thought to have planned visits to Drumcliffe Church and Lissadell House which are both in the area.
Clarence House has said the trip is going ahead on the request of the British government and Charlie Flanagan, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, has admitted he is looking forward to their visit.
He said: "Following the reciprocal state visits of recent years, this visit to Ireland will represent a further expression of the warm and friendly relations which now exist between us.
"We look forward to their arrival next month, and to a visit programme which reflects the quality of these relations."
Britain’s Prince Charles to visit Republic of Ireland
Britain's Prince Charles will visit the Republic of Ireland next month.
The heir apparent and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, will embark on a four day tour in mid May, during which they will also stop over in Northern Ireland.
The 66-year-old royal - who first visited the Republic of Ireland in 1995 - will reportedly visit Mullaghmore in County Sligo, the site where his great-uncle Lord Mountbatten was killed at the hands of the IRA in 1979.
According to BBC News, the itinerary isn't yet finalised but the couple are also thought to have planned visits to Drumcliffe Church and Lissadell House which are both in the area.
Clarence House has said the trip is going ahead on the request of the British government and Charlie Flanagan, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, has admitted he is looking forward to their visit.
He said: "Following the reciprocal state visits of recent years, this visit to Ireland will represent a further expression of the warm and friendly relations which now exist between us.
"We look forward to their arrival next month, and to a visit programme which reflects the quality of these relations."
Royal
The royal baby could be worth billions of pounds to the economy if it's a girl say retail experts.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the Centre for Retail Research, claims that if the Duchess of Cambridge, who is expecting her second child with her husband Prince William, gives birth to a girl, the princess could help bring in the enormous sum over her life time with $80 million being made in just the first few days.
The birth of the couple's first child, Prince George, in July 2013, boosted the economy by £246 million - a figure which is expected to grow considerably if the new baby is female with fashion retailers benefitting the most.
He told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "I think there will be an immediate boost of around £80m when the baby is born, with around £20-£25m spent on souvenirs and the rest on food and drink such as cake and sparkling wine. There isn't as much excitement when it's the second baby, but a girl would have the potential to boost the fashion industry.
"As well as the boost to baby clothing sales that we have seen from Prince George, a Princess would be able to set trends throughout her life, which will be great for the people who designed her clothes or those who can make quick knock-off copies.
"It might even provide the impetus for people to start up whole new companies."
Many companies have already announced the production of souvenirs and commemorative items to mark the birth and the Royal Collection Trust is releasing it's own official royal baby range, thought to include plates and cups, to be sold in gift stores and online.
Royal baby worth millions to the economy
The royal baby could be worth billions of pounds to the economy if it's a girl say retail experts.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the Centre for Retail Research, claims that if the Duchess of Cambridge, who is expecting her second child with her husband Prince William, gives birth to a girl, the princess could help bring in the enormous sum over her life time with $80 million being made in just the first few days.
The birth of the couple's first child, Prince George, in July 2013, boosted the economy by £246 million - a figure which is expected to grow considerably if the new baby is female with fashion retailers benefitting the most.
He told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "I think there will be an immediate boost of around £80m when the baby is born, with around £20-£25m spent on souvenirs and the rest on food and drink such as cake and sparkling wine. There isn't as much excitement when it's the second baby, but a girl would have the potential to boost the fashion industry.
"As well as the boost to baby clothing sales that we have seen from Prince George, a Princess would be able to set trends throughout her life, which will be great for the people who designed her clothes or those who can make quick knock-off copies.
"It might even provide the impetus for people to start up whole new companies."
Many companies have already announced the production of souvenirs and commemorative items to mark the birth and the Royal Collection Trust is releasing it's own official royal baby range, thought to include plates and cups, to be sold in gift stores and online.
Royal
Britain's Duke of Kent will pay tribute to fallen soldiers in Melbourne.
The 79-year-old royal - who is the cousin of Queen Elizabeth II - will arrive in the Australian city today (21.04.15) and honour servicemen who lay down their lives at a Shrine of Remembrance.
As part of his two night stop-over in the city, the duke -also known as Prince Edward - will visit the Abbotsford Convent Trust, be treated to a special performance by Song Room and pay a visit to the Synchrotron and John Monash Science School, reports MailOnline.
The duke will also speak at a meeting of the Australian British Chamber of Commerce before heading on to Adelaide and Canberra - where he will celebrate the Anzac Day landing on April 25.
The royal's busy tour comes just weeks after he was discharged from hospital after being treated for a dislocated hip.
It is thought he was injured while staying on the queen's Balmoral estate in Scotland before being taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
A palace spokesperson said at the time: "I can confirm that the Duke of Kent was admitted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland for treatment of a hip injury."
Britain’s Duke of Kent to visit Melbourne
Britain's Duke of Kent will pay tribute to fallen soldiers in Melbourne.
The 79-year-old royal - who is the cousin of Queen Elizabeth II - will arrive in the Australian city today (21.04.15) and honour servicemen who lay down their lives at a Shrine of Remembrance.
As part of his two night stop-over in the city, the duke -also known as Prince Edward - will visit the Abbotsford Convent Trust, be treated to a special performance by Song Room and pay a visit to the Synchrotron and John Monash Science School, reports MailOnline.
The duke will also speak at a meeting of the Australian British Chamber of Commerce before heading on to Adelaide and Canberra - where he will celebrate the Anzac Day landing on April 25.
The royal's busy tour comes just weeks after he was discharged from hospital after being treated for a dislocated hip.
It is thought he was injured while staying on the queen's Balmoral estate in Scotland before being taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
A palace spokesperson said at the time: "I can confirm that the Duke of Kent was admitted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland for treatment of a hip injury."