Royal
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."
Royal
Britain's Princess Beatrice attended the Bahrain Grand Prix with her long-term boyfriend Dave Clark.
The 26-year-old royal - who has been criticised for jetting off to four different locations in just a month - was spotted chatting to the country's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the former King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, as she watched British driver Lewis Hamilton claim his third victory this season.
A source told the Daily Express newspaper: "She was walking behind the Crown Prince of Bahrain. She was introduced to the recently abdicated King Carlos of Spain and curtseyed."
Princess Beatrice - who is the daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson - also met up with Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone before watching the race with the Crown Prince.
The insider added: "Bernie Ecclestone was leading that group of dignitaries. I think she watched the race from the tower high above the circuit with the Crown Prince."
Beatrice has faced criticism since she quit her job at Sony Pictures in January and was reported to have enjoyed thirteen lavish holidays with destinations including the US, China, Greece and the United Arab Emirates since November.
Britain’s Princess Beatrice attends Bahrain Grand Prix
Britain's Princess Beatrice attended the Bahrain Grand Prix with her long-term boyfriend Dave Clark.
The 26-year-old royal - who has been criticised for jetting off to four different locations in just a month - was spotted chatting to the country's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the former King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, as she watched British driver Lewis Hamilton claim his third victory this season.
A source told the Daily Express newspaper: "She was walking behind the Crown Prince of Bahrain. She was introduced to the recently abdicated King Carlos of Spain and curtseyed."
Princess Beatrice - who is the daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson - also met up with Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone before watching the race with the Crown Prince.
The insider added: "Bernie Ecclestone was leading that group of dignitaries. I think she watched the race from the tower high above the circuit with the Crown Prince."
Beatrice has faced criticism since she quit her job at Sony Pictures in January and was reported to have enjoyed thirteen lavish holidays with destinations including the US, China, Greece and the United Arab Emirates since November.
Royal
Britain's Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge reportedly won't be naming their second child Charlotte.
According to top historian Clarissa Campbell Orr from Anglia Ruskin University, who specialises in the British monarchy, the couple are unlikely to choose the name for the newborn if the child is a girl due to the unfavourable fates of previous royal figures with the moniker.
She told the Daily Express newspaper: "There is a popular tide of opinion hoping that if it is a daughter she will be named Charlotte. However, from the point of view of the Royal Family, this is unlikely to be a particularly favourable name.
"George III's wife, Sophie Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, was a very successful consort and weathered the disturbing episode of her husband's apparent madness, although her hair turned white with shock."
The couples eldest daughter Charlotte was also deemed a disappointment to the Royal Family after she married a Duke of Württemberg in Germany against their will.
The odds on the name being chosen still stand at 40/1, with Alice, Elizabeth and Diana also proving popular amongst betters if the 33-year-old royal gives birth to a Princess.
James currently stands as the favourite if the baby is boy.
The Royal baby won’t be named Charlotte
Britain's Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge reportedly won't be naming their second child Charlotte.
According to top historian Clarissa Campbell Orr from Anglia Ruskin University, who specialises in the British monarchy, the couple are unlikely to choose the name for the newborn if the child is a girl due to the unfavourable fates of previous royal figures with the moniker.
She told the Daily Express newspaper: "There is a popular tide of opinion hoping that if it is a daughter she will be named Charlotte. However, from the point of view of the Royal Family, this is unlikely to be a particularly favourable name.
"George III's wife, Sophie Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, was a very successful consort and weathered the disturbing episode of her husband's apparent madness, although her hair turned white with shock."
The couples eldest daughter Charlotte was also deemed a disappointment to the Royal Family after she married a Duke of Württemberg in Germany against their will.
The odds on the name being chosen still stand at 40/1, with Alice, Elizabeth and Diana also proving popular amongst betters if the 33-year-old royal gives birth to a Princess.
James currently stands as the favourite if the baby is boy.
Royal
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is the most popular royal on Twitter.
The monarch - who turned 89 today (21.04.15) - has only been part of the social network for six months with @BritishMonarchy as her official account but has already managed to tot up 970,000 followers.
Coming in at a not so close second place is her son, Prince Charles' account @ClarenceHouse with 446,000, while Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia are the third most popular royals on the site.
Britain's Prince William and his expectant wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, are the fourth most followed royals on Twitter, while The Netherlands' King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima are in fifth place with 151,000 on their @koninklijkhuis account.
The Queen famously attracted 78,000 followers in just minutes when she sent her first Tweet last year.
She wrote on October 23: "It is a pleasure to open the Information Age exhibition today at the @ScienceMuseum and I hope people will enjoy visiting. Elizabeth R."
The post was then re-tweeted 42,921 times and made a favourite by 47,130 users of the social media site.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth most popular royal on Twitter
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is the most popular royal on Twitter.
The monarch - who turned 89 today (21.04.15) - has only been part of the social network for six months with @BritishMonarchy as her official account but has already managed to tot up 970,000 followers.
Coming in at a not so close second place is her son, Prince Charles' account @ClarenceHouse with 446,000, while Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia are the third most popular royals on the site.
Britain's Prince William and his expectant wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, are the fourth most followed royals on Twitter, while The Netherlands' King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima are in fifth place with 151,000 on their @koninklijkhuis account.
The Queen famously attracted 78,000 followers in just minutes when she sent her first Tweet last year.
She wrote on October 23: "It is a pleasure to open the Information Age exhibition today at the @ScienceMuseum and I hope people will enjoy visiting. Elizabeth R."
The post was then re-tweeted 42,921 times and made a favourite by 47,130 users of the social media site.
Royal
Royal superfans have gathered outside the Lindo Wing to wait for Britain's Duchess of Cambridge to give birth.
Crowds have started to grow at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London - where the brunette beauty is expected to deliver the tot - with some eager onlookers having set up camp there two weeks ago.
While the 33-year-old royal, who is expecting her second child with Prince William, has hinted she is due to give birth "mid to end of April", fans say they are "well prepared" for the wait and are enjoying the atmosphere.
Royalist pensioner, 79-year-old Terry Hutt, from Weston-super-Mare, has admitted he will be sleeping rough on a wooden bench outside the hospital until the baby is born.
He told BBC News: "Every baby that's born, people say to me 'it's only another baby', but this is a royal baby - there's a difference.
"My wife tells me I'm mad. I have a waterproof outfit, a tarpaulin over the bench, decorated with union jacks. We call it the royal bench."
Mr Hutt lived on the bench for 13 days in July 2013 as he waited for the Duke and Duchess' first arrival Prince George.
He added hospital staff kept him company by regularly bringing him tea and porridge.
Royal superfans gather outside Lindo Wing ahead of birth
Royal superfans have gathered outside the Lindo Wing to wait for Britain's Duchess of Cambridge to give birth.
Crowds have started to grow at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London - where the brunette beauty is expected to deliver the tot - with some eager onlookers having set up camp there two weeks ago.
While the 33-year-old royal, who is expecting her second child with Prince William, has hinted she is due to give birth "mid to end of April", fans say they are "well prepared" for the wait and are enjoying the atmosphere.
Royalist pensioner, 79-year-old Terry Hutt, from Weston-super-Mare, has admitted he will be sleeping rough on a wooden bench outside the hospital until the baby is born.
He told BBC News: "Every baby that's born, people say to me 'it's only another baby', but this is a royal baby - there's a difference.
"My wife tells me I'm mad. I have a waterproof outfit, a tarpaulin over the bench, decorated with union jacks. We call it the royal bench."
Mr Hutt lived on the bench for 13 days in July 2013 as he waited for the Duke and Duchess' first arrival Prince George.
He added hospital staff kept him company by regularly bringing him tea and porridge.
Royal
The royal baby could be the first to be born outside of London in 85 years.
While the second child of Britain's Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge is set to be delivered at St Mary's Hospital in west London, two other hospitals have been put on standby for the royal delivery in case the Duchess, 33, leaves the capital.
The brunette beauty, who hinted that her due date was "mid-April, to the end of April", is currently based at Kensington Palace, a short journey from the Lindo Wing where she gave birth to Prince George in 2013.
However 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 nearby.
Royal Berkshire hospital lies just 12 miles from her parents' home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, while the Queen Elizabeth hospital lies close to the family's residence Amner Hall.
According to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, the Duchess' obstetricians have been warned that they could be called to travel to any of the planned locations.
Royal baby to be born outside of London?
The royal baby could be the first to be born outside of London in 85 years.
While the second child of Britain's Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge is set to be delivered at St Mary's Hospital in west London, two other hospitals have been put on standby for the royal delivery in case the Duchess, 33, leaves the capital.
The brunette beauty, who hinted that her due date was "mid-April, to the end of April", is currently based at Kensington Palace, a short journey from the Lindo Wing where she gave birth to Prince George in 2013.
However 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 nearby.
Royal Berkshire hospital lies just 12 miles from her parents' home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, while the Queen Elizabeth hospital lies close to the family's residence Amner Hall.
According to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, the Duchess' obstetricians have been warned that they could be called to travel to any of the planned locations.