Splash NewsThere's a lot of unknowns surrounding the impending birth of Kate Middleton and Prince William's second child, but there is some information that we know for sure.
A spokesperson for Kensington Palace tells E! News that, much to our chagrin, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge do not know the sex of their second in child. In fact, they'll be finding out along with the rest of the world at the end of this month if they'll have another prince or a princess! Prince George is absolutely adorable, but we're kind of hoping he'll have a little sister to take care of!
The royal couple are "hugely grateful for the warm wishes they have received from people throughout the U.K. and indeed around the world over the last few months," a palace aide said Thursday during a press briefing at Buckingham Palace. "They know that people are excited that Prince George will soon have a little brother or sister, and it means a great deal to them that so many will be celebrating this important moment for their family."
Guy Thorpe Beeston will oversee the birth at St. Mary's Lindo Wing, where he oversaw the birth of the royal couple's first child. Until the birth of his child, Wills will continue training in East Anglia, eastern England, as an air ambulance pilot. He will be a two-hour drive away from the hospital, but the spokesperson wouldn't reveal if there would be a helicopter standing by to take him to the hospital.
The Kensington Palace press office will release an announcement via email as soon as Kate enters the hospital and will even update its Twitter and Instagram accounts (social media for the win!). And just like little George's birth, a footman at Buckingham Palace will place a birth notice on an easel in the forecourt. The notice will include the baby's gender, weight and time of birth.
When it's time to leave the hospital, Kate, Will and the new baby will make a public appearance as they did with George, but it's to be determined whether the new big brother will be at the hospital to meet his new brother or sister, the spokesperson reveals.
As for life when they return home? Kate and William won't be taking on any new staff when their second bundle of joy arrives, but they will spend a few days at Kensington Palace before returning to their home at Amber Hall on Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham country estate in Norfolk. William will take two weeks of paternity leave following the birth to stay at home with his family.
Even though we (and the royals) don't know what they're going to have, fans are hedging their bets over what sex it could be! Punters of Ladbrokes, a British-based gaming company, are confident that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will welcome a baby girl, with 82 perent of all wagers now predicting that Prince George's sibling will be a little princess. Bets are also on what the next royal baby's name will be, with Alice being at the top of the list.
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