Online reactions to Kate’s pregnancy, from Harper to… Prof. Snape?

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Phil Hahn, CTV News Social Media Producer
Published Monday, December 3, 2012 6:46PM EST

View the story "Online reaction to news Will & Kate are expecting a #royalbaby" on StorifyOnline reaction to news Will & Kate are expecting a #royalbabyStorified by CTVNews.ca · Mon, Dec 03 2012 14:53:39A sneak peak at the front page of Tuesday's Daily Express UK tabloid, capturing the joy expressed at today's big Royal announcement, reads:
Tuesday's Daily Express front page - "Royal souvenir special - Baby joy for Kate & Wills" #tomorrowspaperstoday http://twitpic.com/biu4tvNick SuttonMeanwhile the UK's Independent newspaper took on a more sombre tone on its Tuesday morning front page:
Tuesday's i front page - "Pregnant Kate has ‘severe morning sickness’" #tomorrowspaperstodayhttp://twitpic.com/bitveaNick SuttonAfter much speculation, Buckingham Palace confirmed the news on Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 that Prince William and his wife Katherine are indeed expecting. The palace confirmed it in an official statement, the news broke on Twitter just after 11 a.m. EST, and the story dominated news websites, social media, and the tops of TV and radio newscasts since.

The British Prime Minister didn't wait long to congratulate the Duke and Duchess on Twitter:I’m delighted by the news that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting a baby. They will make wonderful parents.David CameronOthers around the world followed suit, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond and Australia's PM Julia Gillard.Laureen and I congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their wonderful news #royalbabyStephen HarperWarmest congratulations and sincerest best wishes to the Earl and Countess of Strathearn on their wonderful news (AA)FM Alex SalmondCongratulations to Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the wonderful news. JGJulia GillardThe Governor General of Canada also released a statement while in Lima, Peru, congratulating the couple and adding that he and his wife Sharon were "honoured to attend their wedding more than a year ago and soon after to welcome Their Royal Highnesses to Canada."
The hashtag #royalbaby was trending worldwide in the hours following the announcement. And of course, #royalbabynames:
Look to history - Reclaim John, Richard, Henry or Edward for boys! Mary, Eleanor, Jane or Matilda for girls! #royalbabynamesPaul Mitchell#royalbabynames James if its a boyDiana if its a girlvickyyylouiseee@ChrisStigall Kuzco. He's the sovereign lord of the nation. He's the hippest dude in creation. #RoyalBabyNamesjill finnI'm calling it now, if it's Kate has a girl it will be called Elizabeth or Diana #RoyalBabyNamesRosina MayEvening subjects! If you want to win a few quid I will give you a heads-up on what I am to be called... #RoyalBabyNamesRoyal BabyPredictably, it didn't take long for spoof accounts, like @royalbabywales above, to appear on Twitter.
Hey everyone, it's me.Royal BabyHaha! That didn't take long.... #royalbaby http://pic.twitter.com/HXeyEpbrCathy VarleyAs well. some creative photoshopping and editorial cartoons have been circulating:
OMG! The very first ultrasound photo of Kate Middleton's behbeh has been released! How noble. #middleton #royalbaby http://pic.twitter.com/LaWiVxraLivi Del ReyDuchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton has been getting some parenting practice with the Royal corgis. #royalbaby http://pic.twitter.com/S7pNc5TAStephen CarrollRT @nialloloughlin: #royalbaby Exclusive 1st picture of the royal baby http://pic.twitter.com/0t78MI4Fstarbressie'sbabe;-) #william #royalbaby #royals #katemiddleton #kate #london #delighted #verypleased #hyperemesis #gravidarum #will #queen #gb #pregnant #news #happy #kik #intsterkik #charles #princeLEEOR ENGLANDERAnd Harry Potter fans weighed in excitedly as well:
#royalbaby is trending. So soon there will be a new half-blood Prince?The Dark LordDear William & Kate: If William is 100% royal and Princess Kate is 0% royal, will that make your son a half-blood prince? #royalbabyProfessor Snape#royalbaby http://pic.twitter.com/ta2PX7uFRachael SmithAs the first child born to William, second in line to the throne after Prince Charles, he or she could one day become a Monarch. @IamRoyalBaby doesn't hesitate to rub that in:
@Prince___Harry So... fourth in line now. How quaint.Royal Baby