Royal Baby Due Next Month: Duchess of Cambridge On Maternity Leave

A new royal baby is on the way, due to arrive sometime next month.

Kensington Palace has not yet confirmed the exact day, but preparations are already underway at the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, where the birth is expected to take place.

The Duchess of Cambridge is now officially on maternity leave, having attended her final public engagement on March 22.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their new sibling.

And, as with all royal babies, this one will be born with a title just as fancy as theirs.

According to Luxury magazine, the child will be known as His Royal Highness Prince Ian of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or Her Royal Highness Princess Ian of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

However, the actual title may differ, depending on the baby's gender and the specific rules governing royal titles.

As a child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the new baby will technically be a commoner, according to royal historian Marlene Koenig.

Only the sovereign emperors of the realm are exempt from this status.

Therefore, the baby will not have any of the titles associated with Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts, or Barons, at least not initially.

Even Prince Harry, despite being a member of the royal family, is still considered a commoner in the eyes of the realm.

However, the new baby will be styled differently, based on its parents' titles.

As such, the child will be known as His Royal Highness Prince or Her Royal Highness Princess Ian of Cambridge.

This is in keeping with the traditional practice of using the father's territorial designation as part of the child's title.

Despite the complexity of royal titles and designations, the new baby will be next in line to the throne after Prince George and Princess Charlotte.