Press Association via AP ImagesNew Zealand is doing something special to welcome Kate Middleton and Prince William's royal baby.
More than 20 Kiwi landmarks, among them Christchurch Airport, Auckland's Sky Tower and Gisborne's Town Clock, will light up either blue or pink in honor of the birth, which is expected to occur in mid-July.
Advocacy group Monarchy New Zealand, which is organizing the grand welcome, announced that the beloved monuments, buildings and memorials that will participate in the light show also include Dunedin's Larnach Castle, Blenheim's War Memorial, Otago's Settlers Museum, Oamaru's Opera House, Hamilton's Victoria Bridge, Napier's Gilray Fountain and Tirau's sheep dog-shaped visitor center
"That one's certainly going to look interesting, especially in pink," the group's chairman, Sean Palmer, told NZ Newswire, noting the facility is constructed with corrugated iron. "Not that I'm guessing colors or anything."
The nationwide display will launch at dusk on the day after the third in line to the throne is born. And it's an honor Monarchy New Zealand is more than a little excited about, given New Zealand historic ties to England as a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth as the head of state.
No word yet whether Wellington's parliament buildings will take part, but there is one person close to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who is willing to go out on a limb and guess what color those lights might be.
Kate's uncle, Gary Goldsmith, told the latest issue of Hello magazine out today that while he's in the dark about the baby's gender, he thinks Kate is having a girl.
"I don't know the sex of the baby but my gut feeling is a girl. When I refer to the baby I say 'she' but I am not sure why," he said.
Noting the wait is "pulsating," Goldsmith added: "It's going to be an incredibly joyous moment for us, and it is going to be wonderful for the whole nation."
Not to mention all the domains of the Crown.
When asked when the Prince or Princess of Cambridge is due to arrive, Gary also revealed he's in the dark just about as much as everyone else.
"I don't know when he or she is coming and will most likely find out at the same time as everyone else, learning from TV or Twitter," he said. "To be a great uncle to a future monarch is just mind-blowing. It will be amazing and one of those 'where were you' moments."