LONDON — The betting public thinks the Duchess of Cambridge will give birth to the nation’s newest prince or princess today.
And yet, the scene outside the hospital where the duchess, aka Kate Middleton, is expected to deliver her baby is remarkably muted compared to the frenzied scene in 2013 when Prince George was born.
Early Monday, the metal barricades set up for the world’s media were empty, and there was but one self-described super fan lingering outside, hedging his bets with helium “Baby Boy” and “Baby Girl” balloons.
“Last time, it was like a little village. We had the world’s press here. It was a circus,” said John Loughrey, 60, a former chef. “This time it’s different.”
Two years ago, the world’s media had descended on the private Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s hospital for the better part of a month. Day in, day out, photographers from around the world perched on stepladders and pointed their long-lens cameras at the brown doors where the duke and duchess would eventually step out with their baby. Tourists popped by the hospital to see what the “Great Kate Wait” fuss was all about, while some uber fans camped overnight. Many royal enthusiasts brought presents.
The palace has not announced the duchess’ expected due date: April 21 is Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday, so the date is simply a sentimental one for the betting public.
But a yellow parking notice outside of the hospital’s private maternity ward says that parking restrictions for a “Special Event” are in place from April 15 to 30, suggesting that the hospital thinks the littlest Windsor will be born in the next 10 days.
