These are the four signs Kate Middleton was expecting another royal baby

The announcement on Monday that Kate Middleton and Prince William are expecting their third child was surprising news to most people.

However, some keen royal watchers have since pointed out some of the tell-tale signs that an announcement was on its way.

While the exact due date is still unknown, it’s believed the Duchess is just shy of 12 weeks along, meaning four-year-old Prince George and two-year-old Princess Charlotte can expect a new sibling sometime next April or May.

The happy news was expected for those watching the couple closely, thanks to these four signs:

Her hair is full of secrets

The rumour mill kicked off when journalist Kate Proctor took to Twitter with an interesting theory.

After the Duchess stepped out at Wimbledon sporting a new haircut, Proctor commented that it was a tactical ploy she’d used before, to draw attention to her face instead of her tiny bump.
https://twitter.com/KateProctorES/status/904637948192321536

Gifts in Poland

During a Royal tour of Warsaw, Poland, in mid-July, Kate was gifted a small, cuddly toy perfect for a young infant.

The media present heard her turn to William and laugh, "We will just have to have more babies,” sparking theories they were planning to expand their family.

Hospital visits

According to Closer magazine, Kate Middleton was rushed to hospital in mid-August for unknown reasons.

She stayed at the King Edward VII Hospital for a day before being released.

This is the same facility she was treated for Hyperemesis Gravidarum during her first pregnancy – a condition which results in severe nausea, constant vomiting and the inability to retain fluids and food.

It’s now been revealed, the Duchess is suffering from the same illness the third time around as well.

And it seems to have hit Kate just as hard, with the Duchess having to cancel an engagement in London earlier this week and forcing the announcement of her pregnancy earlier than planned.

The expectant mother-of-two was also unable to attend Prince George’s first day of school on Thursday due to her health.

All bets off

UK bookmaker Coral heated up the baby rumours even further, when they stopped taking bets on the likelihood of a third royal baby at the end of August.

Odds had reached 1-3 before the betting closed due to the surge, with punters clearly convinced recent hospital visits and baby jokes all meant one thing.

Betting is now underway again, but this time with the baby’s gender and name in focus.

The current frontrunner for a girl is Alice, while James and Albert are proving the most popular choice for boys.