The Duchess of Cornwall has given the strongest indication yet that the birth of the royal baby is imminent, letting slip that she expects the newest royal by “the end of the week”.
Camilla told well-wishers in Cornwall that she and Charles were on high alert and waiting for William to call and let them know Kate was in labour.
“We are all just waiting by the telephone,” Camilla said. “We are hopeful that by the end of the week he or she will be here.”
It will be Charles’ first grandchild.
Kensington Palace has refused to reveal Kate’s exact due date, only saying she was due in “mid-July”.
Sources pinpointed the due date as July 13, meaning Kate is now several days overdue, which is not unusual for a first baby.
The Duchess has been staying with her parents in Berkshire but William has the next few days off so she will be returning to their cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace to spend time with him.
The palace is just a few minutes’ drive from St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, where Kate is due to give birth.