A Royal Womb With A View

Is Baby Cambridge a boy?

Is Baby Cambridge a girl?

Will the baby have red hair?

Is he/she alone in there?

If only we could see inside the royal womb and discover these answers ahead of time. Like his/her father, this fetus - no larger than the size of a lime - is not cooperating. Doesn't he/she realize that people expect these answers because it is in the public interest to know?

The interest in the royal baby to be is understandable. But like everything else to do with Baby Cambridge's parents, there is a gross sense of entitlement to know everything, no matter how mundane. Just look at the furore over not knowing the name of the family dog, Lupo. What was the couple hiding? After all, they can't have it both ways, now can they? Catherine finally put reporters out of their misery by revealing the dog's name. How long will the couple be allowed to keep the baby's name to themselves before they're accused of not playing nicely?

Much like the Queen allowing her coronation to be televised, the birth of this baby could set a precedent. The media may have missed the conception but there are other firsts to be had. The first future monarch to have their #royalbirth live tweeted. Imagine if William and Catherine allowed cameras into the delivery room! Royal commentators in hushed tones providing live updates through each contraction. Just picture it.

Commentator: Just how far along is she?

Midwife guest: Well, it's hard to tell how many centimetres dilated she is from our vantage point, but labor seems to be progressing rather slowly. We could be here a while.

Commentator: Is is normal for women to make so much noise during childbirth?

Midwife guest: Yes, some women make more, some less...

Commentator: OK, while we're waiting, do you think Catherine will breastfeed?..

Midwife guest: Well...

Too much information? Or not enough? This is a future monarch we're dealing with. Who draws the line in the sand for Baby Cambridge's privacy?  The media? The parents?

If Baby Cambridge is overdue, the speculation may be one of the reasons why.

© Marilyn Braun 2012

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