A spokesperson for Kensington Palace has told Woman’s Day that Prince William, who is currently training for an ambulance helicopter pilot job with the East Anglia air service, has completed the first phase of his professional training earlier than expected.
Not scheduled to enter the second phase of training until June, the Prince has therefore commenced paternity leave early. This has helped extinguish fears that the Duke could miss the royal birth due to being a few hours away training.
The Kensington palace spokesperson said in a statement: “His final block of in-work training requires an uninterrupted three-week block of working time and the availability of the new EC145 helicopter that will be used for missions.
“As he now will not have any further training to complete after returning from paternity leave, he will not return to duties until that time, and will remain on unpaid leave until then.”
Police were seen conducting security checks around the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s hospital in Paddington, where the Duchess is due to give birth, fuelling speculation that the bub’s arrival is imminent.
However there is still a possibility that William will face a mad dash to the hospital as he is reportedly determined to attend ANZAC day services in London on Saturday with the Queen to commemorate the Gallipoli 100th year anniversary.
Police were seen conducting security checks at the Lindo Wing in Paddington, prompting speculation that Catherine could be arriving anytime soon.
It is highly likely that the royal baby could be an ANZAC day delivery – particularly if the betting public are anything to go by, with an April 25th birthday an odds-on favourite with the punters.
William’s brother meanwhile will be in Gallipoli on Saturday to mark the solemn occasion, along with his father Prince Charles as he takes a brief hiatus from his secondment with Aussie troops down-under.
It now seems that Harry has made a last-minute amendment to his schedule to return to London with his father on Sunday. This has prompted royal-watchers to take it as a sign the royal baby is on the way, with the Prince keen to visit his new niece or nephew while he’s in the region.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed to Woman’s Day: “Prince Harry will briefly return to the UK this weekend following the Gallipoli commemorations in Turkey, to attend the London Marathon as Patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust.”
Prince Harry will present the winners of the marathon with their accolades as well as meet with the volunteers helping out at the event.
With such a drastic, last-minute amendment to Harry’s schedule, the Palace seemed keen to quash speculation that it indicated the arrival of the royal bub.
Instead, the palace spokesperson insisted: “Prince Harry’s attendance at the London Marathon is a long-standing commitment but was dependent on the finalisation of his programme with the Australian Defence Force and confirmation of travel arrangements to and from Turkey.”
The Palace confirmed that Harry would be travelling to Gallipoli with Aussie troops for the important occasion. “The Prince will travel to Turkey with Australian Defence Force personnel on a Royal Australian Air Force aircraft. He will then return to the UK with The Prince of Wales after the services to commemorate the Centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign.”
Aussie Harry fans needn’t fear because royal baby or no royal baby, the ginger-haired prince will make his return again early next week!
“He will then privately travel back to Australia on Monday 27th April to begin the second phase of his military attachment to the Australian Defence Force,” the palace concluded.
Stay tuned to Womansday.com.au for all the latest news on the royal baby and its arrival!
Prince William and Prince Harry both seem very eager to be there when the royal baby arrives!
