The Duchess of Cornwall

The Duchess of Cornwall

The royal family hope Prince William and Duchess Catherine's baby will be born this week.

The Duchess of Cornwall, William's stepmother, is excited about the new arrival - who is expected to be born in "mid July," although the exact due date has not been revealed - and is hoping the royal baby will be welcomed into the world in the next few days.

During a visit to a children's hospice in Bude, Cornwall, Duchess Camilla said: "We don't know what's going to happen. We're all waiting at the end of a telephone.

"I hope by the end of the week he or she will be there."

The media has been camped outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London, where Catherine is due to give birth, since early July.

Duchess Catherine - who was known as Kate Middleton before she married William in 2011 - is set to give birth in a plush delivery suite which contains champagne, luxury toiletries and a reclining chair.

The suite boasts satellite TV, wi-fi, radio and a fresh bouquet of flowers will be delivered every day. it is also fitted with blackout curtains to guarantee total privacy.

The Lindo Wing is a royal favourite, and was where Princess Diana gave birth to both William in 1982 and his brother Prince Harry in 1984.