ROYAL PROCLAMATIONS

Kate Middleton and Prince William Reveal Due Date for Third Child

The countdown begins.

by Andrea Park

2016 Royal Tour To Canada Of The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge - Victoria, British Columbia
Danny Martindale

Kate Middleton and Prince William have good news and bad news for fans of the royal family. The good news: They’ve officially shared the due date for their third child. The bad news: It’s still a full six months away.

On Tuesday, the official Kensington Palace Twitter account shared a sweet photo of Will and Kate laughing together. “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in April 2018,” the caption revealed.

The update comes about a month after the Royals announced that they were expecting royal baby number three. In early September, the palace released a statement (again, via Twitter) sharing the exciting news. “The queen and members of both families are delighted with the news,” the press release said, and noted that, “as with her two previous pregnancies, The Duchess is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum,” a form of acute morning sickness that has kept Kate from attending several scheduled events in recent weeks.

Although the Royals have yet to reveal whether they’re expecting a boy or a girl, British oddsmakers have already started guessing what the family’s newest addition will be named. According to Time, London-based bookmaker William Hill has already determined that Alice is the top prediction, with odds of 8/1; followed by Elizabeth, with odds of 10/1; then James and Arthur, each of which have odds of 12/1. Ladbrokes, another UK bookmaker, also had Alice in the top spot, followed by Arthur, Victoria, Alexandra, Albert, and Phillip.

Whatever his or her name, Will and Kate’s third child is scheduled to arrive sometime during Queen Elizabeth’s birthday month (she’ll turn 92 on April 21), and shortly before his or her big sister Charlotte’s third birthday on May 2. Luckily, the new baby will also be on hand to celebrate big brother Prince George’s fifth birthday on July 21, which we can only assume will include a Lion King-themed bash, as Prince William recently revealed that the Disney classic is his eldest child’s favorite film.

Let the royal baby watch begin.

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