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Remote cameras focus on the door of The Lindo Wing of Saint Mary's Hospital, London on July 22, 2013/AFP

World

Media frenzy in London as ‘Great Kate Wait’ nears end

On Britain’s hottest day of the year so far, hundreds of tourists gathered outside the palace to watch the traditional Changing the Guard ceremony.

Frantically snapping at the passing soldiers who sweated heavily in their bearskin hats and thick red jackets many seemed unaware that Kate had gone into labour, but expressed delight when they heard the news.

“We’ve been waiting for the baby for days!” said Jane Ku, who had come over from Singapore with a group of girlfriends. “We’re going to buy all the baby souvenirs, baby dolls and things like that. I’m hoping it will be a boy.”

American visitors were among those most excited about the birth.

“We don’t have a royal family, so we love this one,” said Evie Engram, 18, from Texas.

“All my friends are very big Kate fans. Everyone wants to be her she’s just a regular girl who ended up marrying a prince.”

The former Kate Middleton is the first commoner to marry a future British king since 1660. Though her parents are multi-millionaires from a party supplies business, her ancestors were coal miners rather than aristocrats.

Visitors from countries where the queen is head of state which along with Britain include 15 realms such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand were also broadly enthusiastic.

“We’ve been getting updates every morning on Canadian TV and it’s great to see that it’s a worldwide affair, that everyone’s curious about what’s happening,” said David Wyatt from Toronto, who was holidaying in London with his wife and three young daughters.

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“We were wondering whether we were going to be here in London when it happened, and it’s wonderful. My family were empire loyalists in Canada and my father’s from England. We’re proud Canadians.”

Connie Sourlatzis, a 30 year old from Melbourne, said William and Kate had “brought some life back into the royal family”.

“I’m a lot more interested in them now than I used to be,” she said. “They’re really popular in Australia, especially Kate. She’s a fashionista. Everyone loves her.

“I’ve been telling everyone back home that she was waiting for me to get here because she didn’t want me to miss it, so I’m really pleased she’s gone into labour.”

Her boyfriend Josh Killoren was slightly less enthused.

“I’m hoping it’s a boy, I’m sick of seeing a girl on the side of our coins,” he said, earning a smack from Sourlatzis.

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