FLT LT WALES - CONGRATULATIONS!!
 

My warmest congratulations to their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the announcement that the Duchess is expecting a baby.

Some good news for once - and I hope that Flt Lt Wales and his chums will have a suitable celebration drink or few at Valley!

It is great news. Future sovereign minor minor minor will be born to a working RAF Pilot...and just doing rough maths, won't become King or Queen for about another 60 years.

Echo'd. Let's hope the media (post Leveson, CMD not-withstanding) give them a break.

Great news.

Ditto

Ivor:D:D:D

Well said BEagle ... Many congratulations :D:D:D:D

Perhaps that mum who gave them the "Daddy's co-pilot" gift might be able to tell me when to go for a lottery ticket. ;)

Congratulations, it will be a boy :)

After all 3 kings (in waiting) always come along just before Christmas :)


I'll get my coat.


.

Congrats to the happy mum and day

Point of succession, it the child was a daughter would she not be behind Harry

According to BBC News, the rules have changed and first born will inherit the throne regardless of sex.

According to the BBC

My bold

and

There is the intent to overturn "male-preference cognatic primogeniture" here in the UK ... apparently the legislation has still to be passed ... so the PM needs to get his skates on !

Down on JetBlast there are a few "interesting" opposite views to the general fawning on here. After a Knighthood, Beags ? No i am not in UK

Congrats to Colonel Wales IG.

Hmmmm, even the BBC seems to have its fair share of derogatory comments to, scroll to the bottom

BBC News - Kate and William: Duchess pregnant, palace says

Even under the old rules a girl would come before Harry. Of course the Beeb are getting it wrong saying: "Because of the law change, even a girl would be third in line".

Wrong! A girl would have become third under the old rules, but would be "gazumped" by a younger brother. That's the bit that has changed/will change.

And Harry (probably to his relief!) just shifts further and further down the line of succession, just like his uncle Andy did (who similarly "gazumped" Anne from 2nd to 3rd when he was born. (She's now 10th, and will slip to 11 after the Wales-ling is born - or 12 if it's twins!!)

But hearty congrats Sir and get well soon Ma'am. :ok:

Agree. Watching Channel Four news I thought that the excessive and intrusive media interest had started. Why are members of the Royal family not entitled to confidentiality with respect to things like medical treatment?

There will always be those who denigrate the good news of others....:(

Following the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales, Prince William can't have had a particularly easy life thanks to the ever-present media spotlight; however, Catherine is clearly a perfect match for him and only those of a particularly unpleasant bent could wish the royal couple anything other than health and happiness together.

Best of luck to them, they seem a really nice couple and it would be good to see a long-term and happy marriage.

Even if little one is a girl, the law most certainly SHOULD be changed to give them precedence.

Congratulations!

Cuefaye, ref your post # 13, i had the good sense to move out of the UK many years ago. I still think HMTQ does a great job, and i still stand up when the National Anthem is played. Do you ?

DD - Law has already been changed, first born will be first in the queue, whichever gender

Why ask? ---

Thanks Wander00 - good show

DD et al - Apparently decision to change succession was made at Commonwealth Conference last year, but legislation - in 15 countries - is required. Someone had better get a move on. Probably takes precedence over drafting new laws on the control of the press!

Wander & DD

Law has NOT yet been changed. First born will get the throne if first born is male; first born will get the throne if she is female AND all subsequent children are female. As the law stands at present a first born daughter will be gazumped by a second or third born son. The coalition have stated that they intend to change the law, but it hasn't occurred yet :}

Edited to add:

Wander, I concur with your post below.

RP - I guess I got to the keyboard marginally sooner than you did - I think we agree - decision made, legal niceties to be tidied up.

Whoever's next in line.... I wish to add my sincere congratulations!

I'm going to demand a paternity test!!!!!

Bit late for you, isn't it? :p

Sled dog - As far as I can see at a quick glance, very few opposite views there, most seem happy for the couple and positive about the Royal Family in general.

Have to say, Will seemed a genuinely nice guy while he was down here earlier this year.

Congrats to you both...:D:D:D

Here's hoping she/he's a pilot like her old man :ok:

With the family history of being in the RAF, starting with the future King George VI, I reckon it's a shoe-in that they'll spend a bit of time in the mob.

Congrats :D

(Wonder what William's PPRuNe handle is???? :E)

The Dutchess is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum.

To the best of my knowledge this ailment is common for women expecting twins, but not necessarily so.

I think the Palace will ensure many photo opportunities for the press, to avoid the couple being hounded.

Let's hope so.

That'll teach her to wander around topless. :=:E

sisemen

Re "Wonder what William's PPRuNe handle is???? http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...ilies/evil.gif"


It's either Big Willy or King Bill :ok:

I thought it was NutLoose :E

I thought it was Slasher!

Random thought (after the initial "Congrats") ....

Due to the vagaries of nature, one brother is heir, can't deploy, pressure and scrutiny beyond anything any of us can imagine, obliged to marry and be sensible; the other brother is (was) the spare, can deploy, some scrutiny, plays naked snooker with strumpets in Vegas like all good Subalterns should ...

Know which fate I'd prefer :ok:

Congratulations and I hope all goes well.

Clearly the night life at valley is still as quiet as ever ;)

Do not see the Govt in any rush or need to change the rules. About 7 months to go to see if it might be an issue

Baby is male - no problem.
Baby is female - no problem.

It only becomes an issue if the first is female and second male. Could be a couple of years (or even another generation) before there might be any need to change the laws.

Besides by the time this one comes to the throne, most of us on here will not be around to see the coronation.

Congratulations to both and hope everything goes well over the next 7 months.