The 10 most bizarre royal baby headlines so far
Media personnel gather outside St Mary’s hospital in central London, on July 22, 2013.
When the media is in a frenzy, it's never easy to find a fresh angle. At no time has this been more apparent than the lead up to the most-anticipated birth of the year — Prince William and Kate Middleton's royal newbie (sorry Kimye fans).
The fierce competition, as a result, has given birth — if you will — to some particularly strange stories. From a life-sized "Cake Middleton" to baby-themed "sick bags," these headlines make us grateful the kid is almost here and the press can finally go to do something else — like, say, I don't know, be a government watchdog, or something.
Reporters gather outside St. Mary's hospital in London on July 22, 2013. (Andrew Cowie/Getty Images)
1. "Royal baby fever gives us lifesize Kate Middleton cake"
Now you can have your Kate and eat her, too. Houston cake designer Nadine Moon created a life-size cake of Kate Middleton holding her soon-to-be newborn, in a tribute to the Duchess of Cambridge. The cake is now on display at a bridal show in Houston. However, should Kensington Palace express interest, Moon said she’d be more than happy to ship it to them.
(Leon Neal/Getty Images)
2. "Beckham wants royal baby named after him"
Soccer player David Beckham isn’t about to let a baby outdo him. Should the baby be a boy, he said he’d be thrilled if it were named David, after him. Beckham was also quick to give his full support for the couple and for their pregnancy, saying that they will make “amazing parents.”
David Beckham. (Getty Images)
3. "Royal baby is first person to get a Wikipedia page before it is born"
The royal baby is online even while still in utero. The Wikipedia page titled “Child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge” sprung up weeks ago, and states that the baby is to be born in July 2013. There are sections on the pregnancy, reactions to the pregnancy, and the baby’s title.
Lionel Bonaventure. (Getty Images)
4. "Forget souvenir tea towels – how about a royal baby sick bag?"
Yes, sick bags — the kind you throw up in on airplanes. Along with a plethora of other royal-themed memorabilia, graphic designer Lydia Leith has made a fortune selling this item. Leith sells many different kinds of momentos, and she sold nearly 10,000 Kate and William-themed sick bags at the time of their royal wedding. Perhaps she put it best when she said, “A sick bag has changed my life. It’s crazy.”
A shopper views royal baby memorabilia. (Will Oliver/Getty Images)
5. "The Royal Gynecologist (he exists) delayed retirement to deliver baby"
No man has as intimate a relationship with the female royals as Dr. Marcus Setchell, the royal gynecologist who delayed his retirement upon news of Kate’s pregnancy. When William and Kate asked the 69-year-old to stay to help with Kate’s delivery, he obliged. Setchell has been looking out for the queen’s, um, “ladyparts” for the past 20 years, and now he’s in charge of her granddaughter-in-law's as well.
A police officer checks the entrance to the gynaecology building at St. Mary's Hospital in London. (Carl Court/Getty Images)
6. "Fake Kate Middleton’s prosthetic belly is oddly compelling"
While Kate Middleton imposters have caused several heated false alarms, online betting service Ladbrokes saw an opportunity for advertisement. Photographer Alison Jackson shot an ad campaign for Ladbrokes featuring royal family lookalikes — including famous Kate lookalike Heidi Agan — pegged to the company’s series called “royal baby odds.” However, given how dead-on the photos can be, some viewers say they’re more creepy than anything else.
A Ladbrokes chalk board shows odds for the royal baby on July 9. (Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
7. "Royal Baby-watch? There's ACTUALLY an app for that"
“First steps, public appearances, royal visits — you'll get it all!” with a free app. The app for smart phones alerts users of any updates in the ongoing royal baby saga. It also includes paid add-ons where you can read up on the lineage of the royal baby or its many relatives, as well as scroll through pictures of William, Kate and others.
(Flickr Commons)
8. "Will Kate Middleton pass signature high-low style on to royal baby? Most likely, yes"
What’s a baby without a signature style? While onesies from the local superstore might be enough for the average baby, the fashion-obsessed can't wait to see how Kate will dress her newborn, and — even more importantly — what designer diaper bag she’ll tout around town. The general consensus seems to be her baby will shun most of the big name brands and opt for more sensible clothing, just like his or her mother.
Kate and the Queen at a fashion show. (Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
The royal baby’s personality may hinge entirely on whether it is born before or after 5 p.m., according to astrologists. If the baby is born before 5 p.m., it’ll be a Cancer by many accounts. If born afterwards, it will technically be a Leo, although some say it really only matters if its born July 22 or 23. Many have also chalked up the timing of the labor to the current full moon, or possibly an electrical storm.
Full moon over London. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
10. "Royal baby? Pah, here are the top five footballers that look like newborns!"
We’ll let the headline on this one speak for itself.
Manchester United football players. (Nicolas Asfouri/Getty Image)
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