The burning question on all royal-watchers' lips since the pair tied the knot in 2011: When will Prince William and Kate Middleton have a baby? Now, the wait is over. Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the royal duo are expecting a bundle of joy soon! There is undoubtedly more pressure on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to reproduce than there is on the average newlyweds, because their first child will become heir to the British throne upon birth. Let's look at history to see how long other royal couples have waited.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana
Prince William's parents wasted no time producing an heir. William was born June 21, 1982, just 11 months after Charles and Diana's July 29, 1981 nuptials. Princess Diana was just shy of turning 21 years old at the time. As a former preschool teacher who made no secret about her love of children, Diana was happy to have baby William (and later, his brother Harry) to cuddle - especially as her marriage to Prince Charles began to crumble.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
The Queen said she fell in love with her husband Prince Philip at the tender age of 13 years old. For years they exchanged letters before marrying on November 20, 1947, when she was 21. Prince Charles arrived one year later on November 14, 1948. Three more children followed: Anne, Andrew, and Edward.
King George V and Queen Mary
Let's head back to Queen Elizabeth's grandfather, King George V. We can't really consider her parents, King George VI and Elizabeth (the late Queen Mum), because George was not expected to become king. His rise to the throne came about only after his older brother King Edward VIII abdicated to marry an American divorcee, which was recently documented in the Hollywood flick, "The King's Speech."
George and Elizabeth married July 6, 1893, and the first of their five children, Edward, was born June 23, 1894 - just before the couple's first anniversary.
Compared to their predecessors, William and Kate have taken their time having a baby. Their child will most likely arrive in summer 2013, more than two years after their April 2011 wedding. Best wishes to the growing family!
More From This Contributor:
Kate Middleton: Royal Recycler
Prince William and Kate Middleton's Christmas Plans
Looking Back at Prince William's Birthdate
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