Kate Middleton's due date has arrived and the royal family is anxiously awaiting to hear that she's in labor — but they aren't exactly sitting by the phone! Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall attended the Coronation Festival, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation, on the grounds of Buckingham Palace in London on Thursday, July 11.
Prince Charles' wife Camilla, 65, happily spoke with reporters about the impending arrival of stepson Prince William and wife Middleton's first child. "We are very excited, immensely looking forward to it and waiting for the phone call," she shared. (The Coronation Festival, which is organized by the Royal Warrant Holders Association, sees leading firms that supply goods to the Royal Family stage a festival in celebration of the coronation's 60th anniversary. More than 200 brands, including Bentley Motors and Moet & Chandon, have set up pavilions and marquees on the grounds of Buckingham Palace for a four-day event displaying British "innovation, excellence and industry.")
And Middleton, 31, is excited to become the mother of England's future King or Queen as well. A family source told Us Weekly last week that she is "feeling great" and "full of energy." But Prince William's wife does have a few jitters. "Naturally she is a little nervous about the big day, what new mum wouldn't be?" the source explained.
When the royal baby arrives, a St. James Palace rep told Us Weekly a framed announcement will be placed on a wood and gold easel just behind the gates of Buckingham Palace shortly after the birth. The announcement will include the baby's gender, weight and time of birth, but the name will be revealed at a later date.
"Although an electronic release will go out, we want there to be a degree of theatre about the birth announcement," a Palace rep told Us. "This is the birth of the third in line to the throne so it is very important. It is an extremely important occasion."