Right-Royal Media Circus

     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 22^nd 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 13^th, 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 19^th), 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.