Fans Await British Royal Baby Outside London Hospital
There is a celebratory mood outside the hospital where royal baby may be born.
LONDON — -- Royal enthusiasts are camping outside St. Mary’s Hospital’s Lindo Wing in London, where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to give birth to their second child soon, although contingency plans are in effect at several other hospitals in the event the birth occurs outside of London.
Dressed in full Union Jack attire and holding pictures of the royal couple, the fans' presence revealed the celebratory mood outside the hospital. Boy or girl, this child will be fourth in line to the throne, bumping Prince Harry down to fifth.
Among the royal fans was Kathy Martin, who told ABC News she wanted to be part of the excitement.
“I think it’s intriguing to find out if she’s going to actually have a girl like it was predicted,” said Martin. “I’m going to go mad [when the baby is born]. I have two teddy bears that I can choose to raise, one if it’s a girl, another if it’s a boy!”
Terry Hutt, also known to Londoners as “the umbrella man”, said he felt it was a privilege to be part of the experience.
“I’ve seen many babies come out of that building and I’m proud to say I’ve been here all that time,” said Hutt, who added that he fell in love with the royal family when he met the queen mother during World War II. “During the blitz, we all got bombed down and the king and queen came to reassure us.”
The baby’s gender has not been disclosed, but it has been said Prince Charles would love a granddaughter.
“It would be nice if it was a girl, if they named her Diana or Victoria!” said John Loughrey, another royal fan camping outside the Lindo Wing.
“The most important,” added Loughrey, who describes himself as loyal to the crown, “is to have a healthy baby and that the Duchess of Cambridge is healthy too.”
The small group of royal fans described why a royal baby is “always special.”
“This royal baby is a special baby,” Hutt said, "because it replaces the older people. We need the young generation. They will lead the royal family in a different way, and I’m looking forward to the next baby.”
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will initially inform family privately of the birth. Once the queen and members of William and Kate's family are notified, Kensington Palace will release a birth announcement. Details on the baby’s sex, time of birth and weight will be posted on an easel placed in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace by a palace footman. It will be the same easel used to post Prince George's birth. It is not anticipated that the couple will announce the name immediately, but rather in due course, as they did with Prince George.