When the Duchess of Cambridge gives birth – next month, according to her due date – it will be announced via an offline notice.

With Kate now on maternity leave and B-day looming ever closer, a spokesperson for the Palace has confirmed that she has chosen to give birth at the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s hospital in London.

When the baby is born, a notice, signed by the medical staff who have attended to the mother to the heir of the throne, will be placed on a gilt easel outside. It’s the same device that announced the birth of the expectant father, Prince William, in 1982.

‘We wanted to retain some of the theatre of the notice,’ a spokesperson said yesterday. ‘It is quite important to us that this is done properly and with the degree of dignity that the event demands. This is the birth of a child who will be in line to the throne. It is a rare occasion and it is nice to be able to do it with some historical precedence.’

‘It is very important [to us] that it will not be announced first on Twitter, although it will be announced on Twitter in due course.

‘While it is a deeply personal and private event, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge realise this is a time of national celebration and that there will be vast interest in the baby. They realise many people will want to share in their happiness.’

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