Royal Birth On Its Way

With the headlines now reading that the Duchess of Cambridge is in labor,

I admit I get all tingly about happy beginnings

source: Telegraph

It's not uncommon to hear an English person say

'Now, I'm not a Royalist but...'

followed by something very complimentary about the royal family

I think the country is happy to have something to look forward to again

after two extraordinary years of once-in-a-lifetime events

- the Royal Wedding, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Summer Olympics -

Although the royal family doesn't rule the country (Parliament does),

the royal baby provides a peek into the future of the country's leadership

The Royal Family provides a stability through the decades,

as Prime Ministers change frequently

There is a fondness toward the Royal Family here

When you watch another family grow up during your lifetime, 

you feel like you know them

For now, Queen Elizabeth II is THE face of the country

What little person being born will be the future face?

{ Decided in a recent ruling,
this baby will be in line for the throne regardless of gender }

source: Telegraph

One tradition that won't continue is

the Home Secretary's attendance of the royal birth

to insure a different baby isn't smuggled in or switched out

Although the witnessing was practiced for centuries,

no one would have attended the birth of Queen Elizabeth II

as she was not born heir to the throne

{ Her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated in 1936

which made Elizabeth's father the King when she was ten years old } 

source: Telegraph

What name do you think they'll choose?

If it is a girl, my vote is for Charlotte

in memory of Princess Charlotte of Wales (1796-1817)

who was much loved by the British
as Princess Diana was

Regardless of birth name,

the monarch can change his/her name upon coronation

King George VI was born as Albert,

and there is speculation that Prince Charles

will become King George VII upon coronation

{ because the two King Charles's did not have the happiest of fates }

source: Telegraph

And so the headlines have been pretty quiet right now,

except for reports about the hot weather

{ English homes are without air conditioning
and designed to keep the heat in,

so it has been quite uncomfortable }

Meanwhile, the world's media descends upon the city once more 

and stares at a hospital front door 

and an easel at Buckingham Palace

Best of luck to the parents-to-be!
:)