Royal baby news: Will Kate give birth THIS WEEK? Bookies suspend odds in shock move
THE royal baby could arrive this week, bookies have spectacularly announced, after a sudden flurry of betting has sparked concerns Duchess Kate is going into labour.
Royal baby: Timeline of Duchess of Cambridge's pregnancy
Speculation mounted today after it was reported the road outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London was cleared for the imminent arrival of Kate and William.
Bookmakers have now buckled under the weight of bets Kate is ready to give birth this week.
Paddy Power has responded by suspending odds on Kate giving birth before Sunday.
Kensington Palace has not revealed Kate’s due date beyond April 2018 and royal baby fans have been speculating wildly about the topic.
Paddy Power spokesman said: “The speculation around the arrival of the royal baby has been going into overdrive, and our punters certainly think it’s going to happen soon.
“We’re now convinced it’s going to be this week, and Mary is certainly the name of choice from our punters, who have been backing that name for months.”
At least four parking spaces outside the Paddington hospital have been cleared, teasing an imminent due date.
The area will remain closed until Monday April 30.
Royal baby news: Punters think Duchess Kate could give birth this week
Royal baby news: Barriers were put up at St Mary's hospital today
Workers were photographed at the scene of the hospital putting up barriers in anticipation of the world’s media arriving for the baby’s birth.
Bookies Betfair added to the intense speculation by pricing up the odds on Kate giving birth this week to 10/1, but without accepting odds on a specific date.
Betfair told Express.co.uk: “With barriers now up at the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in preparation for the influx of media who will camp outside to await news of the Royal Baby we are not taking any bets on the exact date of the birth.
“It was 10/1 that the baby would be born this week – and with this tell-tale sign, it looks like the baby’s arrival is imminent.”
Kate gave birth to both of her first two children at Lindo Wing with the world's press and royal fans waiting outside.
But with the royal family keeping a tight lid on Kate’s pregnancy, it is hard to tell just when the third royal baby will arrive.
As of Sunday night, the odds of Kate giving birth this week were 12/1 on Paddy Power.
Another source of intense speculation is the baby’s gender and name, two facts which have also remained secret to the world.
Royal baby news: Duchess Kate gave birth to her to children at St Mary's Hospital
Royal baby news: The Paddington hospital is preparing for the royal baby
Mary is the most popular name put forward by punters for a girl, according to Paddy Power.
Edward is the leading choice for a young baby boy.
The news follows Ladbrokes revealing Alice and Philip were the two leading choices for the royal baby.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "Punters are seemingly confident Kate will give birth to a girl as Alice is proving twice as popular as any other name in the market, but if it's a boy it's looking increasingly likely he'll be named after his great grandfather."
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These are the latest Paddy Power odds on the royal baby’s name at 11.54am:
3/1 Mary
5/1 Alice
7/1 Edward
8/1 Victoria
8/1 Arthur
8/1 Henry
10/1 Albert