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Kate Middleton reveals royal baby is due mid-July – and she’s taking up KNITTING before the birth

kate Middleton

The Duchess also revealed she and husband William have a shortlist of names for a boy or a girl

kate Middleton

The Duchess of Cambridge revealed today her baby is due in mid-July and she and William already have a shortlist of names for a boy or a girl.

She also said she would be going on maternity leave from royal duties sometime in June and told she has been trying to take up knitting ahead of giving birth.

Kate, who is six months pregnant, opened up about her excitement at becoming a mumduring a visit to a homeless shelter in Glasgow city centre.

She and William spent an hour chatting to the 14 to 25-year-olds who live at the Quarriers Stopover project, demonstrating their passion for and knowledge about homelessness in young people.

But centre project manager Rachel Sawyer was also keen to hear about their lives and asked Kate several questions about her baby at the end of the visit, leading to a barrage of revelations about the world’s most famous foetus.

When Rachel asked what her due date is and if they had any names, Kate replied: “It’s around mid-July but apparently babies have their own agenda…

“We have a shortlist for both (boy and girl) but it’s very difficult.

“My friends keep texting me names.”

She also answered “around June time” when Rachel asked when she would be stopping working to put her feet up before the baby was born.

Rachel said afterwards: “I just had to ask about the baby.

“She was so lovely and it’s such a boost for the young people and the organisation to have her and William here.”

Kate, 31, looked delighted when she was given a present of a knitted teddy for her baby at the end of the visit.

“That’s really kind of you”, she said, adding: “I’ll have to ask for some tips.

“I’ve been trying to knit myself and I’m really bad.”

She added about the toy: “I’ll save it for the big day.”

Earlier in the visit Kate was complemented on her diamond and sapphire engagement ring by centre resident Stuart Tominey, 20.

She said: “Thank you very much, It’s very special to me.”

Stuart, who has been living at Quarriers for just a week, said: “She was so down-to-earth.

“I love her ring, I’ve got to try and get one like that for my girlfriend one day.”

Kate spent several minutes taking part in a media class with six Quarriers residents including Stuart, where they made short films talking on a topic for 15 seconds.

Taking on the role of director Kate laughed as she ordered “action” and “cut”.

Meanwhile Prince William Skyped some of the centre’s young people currently on an exchange programme in Holland.

Later he looked mortified as he was asked to do some DJ-ing, saying: “Seriously this is much harder” when asked how it compared to flying a helicopter.

The 30-year-old prince blushed as he had a go at “scratching” the decks joking “I’ll give everything a go once” before saying “I think I should come better prepared next time.”

After his lengthy turn on the decks Kate joked to him: “Step away from the music”.

Quarriers provides short-term accommodation for up to 14 young people at any time, many who are referred with problems including substance abuse, addiction, mental health issues and even prostitution.

Some will stay up to a year or more and can take part in education programmes and other projects that help them build their futures.

On arrival at the shelter Prince William chatted to Alice Drife, Deputy Chief Executive of the project.

She said afterwards: “He was asking about referrals and if there’s any impact in referrals with the changes in welfare.

“It shows he understands the circumstances of homelessness.

“I said not so much here but maybe in other services in time we’ll see.”

She added about William and Kate: “They were really interested in the services that we provide.

“They talked to me for so much longer than I expected.”

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