British businesses start to milk royal baby cash cow

The royal baby is expected to bring with it a boost to the British economy and local businesses are already starting to cash in on the Prince or Princess’s impending arrival with celebrations ranging between tasteful and tacky.

Apart from the question of when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s first child will arrive, the biggest mystery surrounding his or her arrival is the name, and while sharing a name with the royal baby will be a source of pride for Brits it can also bring rewards.

Londoners will be listening out for the announcement before popping down to their local pub, as hotel chain Jury’s has announced it will gift a free bottle of champagne to patrons who share the name of the royal baby on the day of its arrival.

London’s Heathrow airport is also preparing to celebrate the birth by treating arriving passengers, anxious to hear if the Duchess has delivered during their flight, with an announcement and a gift box including tea and chocolates for the first hoard of travellers on the day.

Hotels and restaurants are taking advantage of royal baby fever offering royal-themed baby showers at St James’s five star hotel and club to mothers-to-be up until the end of the month, when the Duchess is due, and restaurants like The Cinnamon Club have more quirky offerings, with their ‘Royal Labour of Love Menu’ offering “five courses that mimic the stages of a nine-month pregnancy”.