I am a monarchist, and proud to be one. I am excited about
the first child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and looking forward to
its forthcoming arrival in this world.
While the wait is
becoming unbearable, I find myself more frustrated by the media than the
“overdue” baby. Since December, the UK and international media has hyped up
this story, although this was expected since we are talking about the future
King or Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (as well as 15 other
countries). The Monarchy of the United Kingdom is an ancient institution with
global influence and popularity, and it was inevitable that people would want
to know as much as possible about the baby who will likely carry it into the 22nd
Century. They want to know the baby’s gender, where it will live, who its
godparents it will be, the progression of the Duchess’s pregnancy, where she
will give birth, etc.
The result is
that the media goes to extremes to pacify the public in its thirst for
knowledge. With regard to the royal baby, the Duchess’s every move and word has
been scrutinized, her wardrobe questioned, and her “bump” endlessly
photographed. This also means that for
the past 2-3 weeks, news organizations have staked out their positions in front
of St. Mary’s Hospital to catch the first glimpse of William and Kate, either
when they enter the Lindo Wing or come out with the baby.
But now that Kate
has passed her alleged due date (reported by the Daily Mail as being July 13), the media and public are becoming
restless. Even the Queen has signaled that she’s ready for this to be over. But
the Palace has never released a due date, and it only confirmed Kate’s slip of
the tongue about the baby arriving in “mid-July.” However, the Palace did
promise that it would inform the media as to when the Duchess was in the
hospital and in labor. On these two points alone, the press ought to have
waited until the Palace announcement was made, after which they would have had ample
time to set themselves up in front of the hospital for the big moment.
“But wait,” say
the news organizations and paparazzi, “for we must get that shot of Kate
entering the hospital.” Sorry to say, but it’s unlikely that any of us are
going to watch Kate waddling into the Lindo Wing. As I understand it, there are
low-key entrances that will allow the Duchess to enter without being seen by
the media. She’s already fooled them at least once in the last week by showing
up for an appointment and leaving without a hitch, and the only reason the
press got a hold of it was because another patient happened to see Kate and
informed them about the escapade.
All of this
points to that fact that we live in a media landscape that is vastly different
from the time of Prince Williams birth. With 24-7 news channels, newspapers,
tabloids, social media, internet websites and blogs dedicated to all things
royal, and information that instantly flows through our fingers, we have become
an impatient society. We want news immediately, and don’t like to wait. The
media responds to our demand in part by over-hyping the information we receive,
which then makes us want to come back for more in a never-ending cycle.
After reporting
the unsubstantiated due date of July 13th, the media speculated that
the Duchess of Cambridge may follow in the footsteps of her late
grandmother-in-law, Diana, by giving birth before the anticipated due date.
Such speculation may have led some media outlets to stake out their spots in
late June, believing that the birth would take place during the first week in
July. Yours truly got a little exuberant, and hoped for the child to be born on
the date of American independence. But the first week came and went.
So have the
second and third weeks with nothing much happening, aside from the sideshow of
royal fans and look-alike's making their way around area. Now there is more
speculation regarding the place of birth. William and Kate are reportedly
staying at her parent’s house in Bucklebury, Berkshire (pronounced “Barkshire” with
a British accent), about an hour away from London, which has some in the media believing
that the Duchess will attempt pull a fast one and give
birth at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, just down the road from her parents.
Indeed, contingency plans have been made in case issues arise in which the hour-long
ride to St. Mary’s would be too risky. However, the Palace has maintained that
it is Kate’s intention to give birth at the London hospital where Prince
William and Prince Harry were born. But never fear, for the media is also
getting ready for a possible change of venue. So far, I know that NBC has sent
one correspondent to Royal Berkshire, while another holds down the networks
spot outside of the Lindo Wing.
What’s
interesting is that the Windsor’s and Middleton’s themselves appear to be calm
and relaxed about the affair while the rest of the world (or at least the
press) goes crazy. It may very well be that they know when the due date is, and
have no reason to fret over it. The
Daily Telegraph is now reporting that the due date may be today (July 19th),
which may explain why William and Kate are at her parent’s house while he is on
leave from RAF duties, and why William played two days of polo for charity last
weekend (when most in the press thought the baby was due then).
In the end, the
baby has its own plans that are not conformed to the news cycle. It will come
when it’s ready, and all of us – the press included – must respect that.
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