William and Kate's #RoyalBaby countdown
BABY BUMP. The Duchess of Cambridge is only weeks away from the birth of her royal baby
MANILA, Philippines - How do you announce a royal birth in the age of social media? Prince William and Kate Middleton decided that they'll combine tradition with technology when their baby is born on July 11, US Magazine reports.
A palace represenative revealed that once the baby is born, a wood and gold easel framing news of the birth will be placed behind the gates of Buckingham Palace. The same easel was used for Prince William's birth in 1981. He turns 31 on June 21 (June 22 MNL).
The framed declaration, to be brought to the gate with police escort, will contain the baby's gender, weight and time of birth. He or she – for even William and Kate reportedly do not yet know the gender – will formally go by the title HRH Prince or Princess of Cambridge.
READ: A baby girl for William and Kate?
The royal tot will be 3rd in line to the British throne after his or her grandfather Prince Charles and Prince William.
Shortly after the framed announcement is installed, a Twitter announcement will be released ( follow @BritishMonarchy and @Charles_HRH) and press releases will be given to media.
Preparing for the birth
Prince William plans to be in the delivery room as his wife gives birth. The birth will take place in St. Mary's Hospital where William and Harry were born.
LA Times reports that the father-to-be plans to take a two-week paternity leave, after which he will reprise his role as a search and rescue pilot for the Royal Air Force.
READ: What kind of mum will Kate Middleton be?
Visits will be limited to the Royal Family and the Middletons. The baby's name will be revealed in a later date, something not unusual for the family since William's name was not revealed until a week after his birth.
Nardine Saad of LA Times comments that all this information about the birth is "a welcome change from the secrecy normally cloaking the royals."
She writes that ever since Prince William and Catherine wed in November 2010, the palace has been more open to releasing details of important royal events. - With reports from Pia Ranada/Rappler.com
Catherine Duchess of Cambridge at the Inauguration of Warner Bros. Studios photo from Shutterstock
