Kate Middleton Backs Out of Attending Friend's Wedding Amid Fears of Early Labor

Duchess of Cambridge reportedly does not want to risk traveling 300 miles for the nuptials

When your due date is so close, why take any chances?

That apparently is what Kate Middleton is thinking, seeing how the Duchess of Cambridge has backed out of attending a friend's wedding this weekend.

According to reports, the pregnant royal does not want to risk the 300-mile trip to the ceremony at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, out of fear that she might go into labor early.

However, while the mom-to-be is planning on skipping the nuptials of Thomas Van Straubenzee and the Duke of Northumberland's daughter Lady Melissa Percy on Saturday, Prince William is still expected to be on hand. Which is probably a good thing since he is the best man and all.

Prince Harry as well as his ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy are also on the guest list.

Earlier this week, new details emerged surrounding the impending birth of the royal baby, most notably that Kate and William do not know the gender of their child, who is expected to enter the world July 14.