With eyes fixated outside London’s St. Mary’s hospital, where the Duchess of Cambridge is expected to give birth any day now, buzz about the royal baby continues.
Long after the crowds of royal watchers and media camped outside the hospital disperse, certain maternity trends being set by the much-discussed Kate Middleton are expected to linger for some time.
1. The royal name everyone is betting on
Alexandra, the name of Queen Elizabeth II’s grandmother, and James, the name of the Duchess’ younger brother, are considered the two front-runners for the name of the royal baby. British-based gaming company Ladbrokes is putting the odds for Alexandra at 6/4 and James at 6/1.
Other popular bets for girls’ names include Victoria (6/1), Charlotte (6/1) and Diana (8/1).According to nameberry.com, the name Charlotte is up 65 per cent in popularity this week while Victoria and Diana are both up 12 per cent. Surprisingly, the name Alexandra is down 19 per cent in popularity.
For boys, other popular names include George (10/1) and Philip (20/1).
2. Pre-natal fitness
The Duchess has reportedly been preparing for her child’s imminent birth with a special fitness plan.
According to Marie Claire magazine, Middleton’s fitness plan includes weekly yoga sessions which include gently designed exercises. It’s also been reported that Middleton has been researching hypno-birthing ahead of the royal baby's arrival, which is a method of controlling pain and anxiety during a natural birth.
3. Maternity style
Eyes were peeled to TVs the morning of the royal wedding, as the world waited for the grand reveal of the Duchess of Cambridge’s gown. And her chic maternity wardrobe featuring high-end designers, colourful coats and fashionable wrap dresses has had photographers’ cameras snapping every time she steps out. (Britain’s Daily Mail even went so far as to claim Kate had the “world’s best-dressed baby bump.")
The fashion world is now eagerly anticipating the former Kate Middleton’s next outfit – the one she’ll wear when she and Prince William leave the hospital with their newborn. There’s also the question of whether the couple’s choice of stroller, diaper bag, etc., will encourage future mothers to follow suit.
4. Royal baby tourism
The birth of the next King or Queen of England could mean a boon for what’s been a sluggish U.K. economy.
Tourism website visitlondon.com lists several ways to mark the birth of England’s most anticipated baby, including ‘The Royal Child’ photography exhibition at the luxury hotel the Athenaeum, and a royal baby shower afternoon tea where fellow mothers can receive the royal treatment.
Royal baby memorabilia, such as commemorative plates, T-shirts and even nail polish, is also expected to boost the U.K. economy.
The London-based Centre for Retail Research estimates Britons will spend nearly $400-million on royal baby memorabilia and celebrations this summer, giving the country’s struggling economy its own bump.
The royal baby’s pending birth is not the first time the Duchess of Cambridge has driven trends.
Kate Middleton’s sapphire and diamond ring, which had belonged to Princess Diana, sparked a trend of colourful gemstones for engagement rings after Kate and Prince William were engaged in 2010.
Her Alexander McQueen wedding gown also greatly influenced bridal trends, with lace sleeves hitting the runways soon after the royal wedding.
