They were her last few public engagements before giving birth – and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge made sure she went out with a bang. Dressed in a fuchsia Mulberry coat as she toured South London charities with her husband Prince William, the duchess made a bright style statement. But it’s her recent comments that have attracted the most attention, with the royal assuring friends she’s due to give birth to an Anzac baby.
According to an old wives’ tale, if a pregnant woman craves sweet treats, it’s a sure sign she’s carrying a girl, and Kate has told friends she’s convinced baby number two will be a sister for Prince George (20 months). “She could barely keep anything down in the first few months of her pregnancy, but recently she cannot get enough of naughty treats,” says a source. She and William have both been spotted visiting upmarket bakery Humble Pie in Burnham Market, a 40-minute drive from their home, Anmer Hall, to buy chocolate cake and fruit loaf. “Kate has popped into the store on her own and with William,” reports a local. “She loves the cakes.”
Kate has been craving sweet treats, which according to an old wive’s tale means she’s expecting a girl.
Both Kate and William admit they are nervously anticipating the arrival of their second child. But there’s excitement too. During their visit to the Stephen Lawrence Centre last week, William said he can’t wait for the baby to be born. The prince spoke to mum Claudia French (40), who tells, “We were talking about him becoming a father again and he said, ‘The first time is a learning experience, the second time is a game-changer.’”
George’s sibling was thought to be due in mid-to-late April, but sources now say William and Kate are expecting their bundle on April 25, Anzac Day.
As with her first child, Kate plans to give birth at St Mary’s Hospital’s private Lindo Wing in Paddington, West London. But while Kate and William may be anxious about their second child, it didn’t show as they interacted with youth and welcomed guests at the Stephen Lawrence Centre.
The charity was established in memory of an 18-year-old man who was stabbed to death in a racist attack in 1993 while he waited for a bus. The royal couple met Stephen’s sister Georgina (36) and her daughter Mia (10), who presented the duchess with a posy of flowers. She told Kate that she was a keen cook and that her favourite dish was shepherd’s pie. “That’s our favourite too,” the royal concurred. Stephen’s mother, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, said their visit was “quite amazing”.
William joined Kate on her last round of public duties before the arrival of their second child.
Later, the royal pair visited the Excel Project (XLP), a charity which helps London youth achieve a better future through education and mentoring. One teen, Tex Tuwizana (16), told William how he had been stabbed in the head just a month prior, to which the shocked prince replied, “Are you serious?” The couple were treated to an arts showcase by some of the centre’s performers and afterwards they both received T-shirts bearing the slogan, “I refuse to believe this is a lost generation”. They were also gifted a body suit for George.
Now it’s time for the royal couple to prepare for their newest addition. But while Kate begins her maternity leave, William has just started training at Bond Air Services in order to pilot air ambulance missions over the northern summer. He is expected to go on paternity leave, as he did with George, after their baby is born.
