Imperial Private HealthcareEveryone will want to know the moment Kate Middleton gives birth, but the royal family and the Middletons probably have a better chance of getting the news before the rest of us.
But of those, who will be the first to know when the royal baby is born? Palace sources tell the Daily Mail that Queen Elizabeth II and senior members of the royal family will find out at the same time as the Middletons.
One source claims that William will call his grandmother even before notifying Prince Charles about the baby's birth. It's also likely that Kate's mother, Carole Middleton, and sister Pippa Middleton will be in the luxury Lindo suite at St. Mary's Hospital when she delivers, meaning they'd know the very moment when mini-Will or mini-Kate makes his or her debut.
As for the rest of us—the commoners? Well, a formal proclamation signed by the doctors who delivered the royal baby will be signed. (The delivery will be led by Dr. Marcus Setchell, Queen Elizabeth II's former gynecologist, who will be assisted by Dr. Alan Farthing, her current gynecologist and surgeon) A press officer will take it to Lindo's front entrance.
From there, it will be handed to a waiting driver and driven through London—escorted by police outriders—to the front of Buckingham Palace. Then it will be placed on an easel placed in front of the Privy Purse door, letting the eager public know—officially—England has a new prince or princess.
But don't expect to see the palace break any news on Twitter. "We wanted to retain some of the theatre of the notice. It is quite important to us that this is done properly and with the degree of dignity that the event demands. This is the birth of a child who will be in line to the throne. It is a rare occasion and it is nice to be able to do it with some historical precedence," a Palace spokesman said, per the Daily Mail. "It is very important [to us] that it will not be announced first on Twitter, although it will be announced on Twitter in due course."
If the baby is born between 10:30 p.m. and 8 a.m., the big news will be sent out via press release and the easel put up later that morning.
Additionally, Kensington Place is expected to send out an electronic press release containing a bit more detail about the royal baby, such as his or her weight. William will possibly make a statement outside the hospital.
With Kate's mid-July due date quickly approaching, we shouldn't have to wait too, too much longer for all the excitement to unfold!