PA - GETTY Kate Middleton and Prince William are expected their third child

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Kensington Palace announced the Duchess of Cambridge, 36, and Prince William’s, 35, big baby news on September 4 last year. The official statement read: “Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child.” Kate was less than 12 weeks pregnant when she announced her pregnancy last year. Typically, parents wait until the third trimester - about 12 weeks into the pregnancy - until they announce the news. Due to Kate's acute morning sickness, Kensington Palace was forced to announce she was pregnant a few weeks earlier.

When is Kate’s due date? Kensington Palace confirmed the due date was in April 2018, back in October last year. The palace said: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in April 2018.” However a specific due date has yet been confirmed by Kensington Palace and a spokeswoman said “it will be releasing details in due course.”

Kate Middleton's baby bump through the months in pictures Thu, March 22, 2018 The Duchess of Cambridge’s blooming pregnancy through the months in pictures. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 46 Kate Middleton baby bump in pictures

Will Kate Middleton and Prince William have a boy or girl? There has been no word from Kensington Palace on the gender of the new baby, just confirmation that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a child this Spring. Although the gender of the baby has not been confirmed, the bookies are saying the royal couple will have a baby girl. Will Kate Middleton and Prince William have twins? Twins do not appear to run in either family line, but rumours the couple are expecting two babies emerged in a cover story by magazine OK this week. It ran with the headline: “Kate’s Baby: Surprise Twin Girls!"

PA Royal baby: Kensington palace made the announcement in September

PA Kate Middleton baby bump: Kate has showed off her baby bump during outings

A spokeswoman for Kensington Palace told Express.co.uk it would not comment on speculation. Prince William joked about the issue on February 9, when he said: "Twins? I think my mental health would be tested with twins." He added: "Two is fine, I don't know how I'm going to cope with three, I'm going to be permanently tired." Bookmaker Coral has cut the odds on the Duchess of Cambridge having twins to 4-1 amid the rumours circulating online.

PA Kate Middleton: Kate and Wills already have Prince George and Princess Charlotte

GETTY Kate Middleton baby: Bookies odds suggest she could be having a girl

What will Prince William and Kate Middleton's third baby be called? The favourite name is Mary which has shot ahead from 16/1 to as short as 3/1, according to William Hill. The most likely girls names after Mary are Alice (6/1), Victoria (10/1) and Elizabeth (14/1). In a touching nod to Prince William’s late mother, there is also speculation that Kate and Wills' latest addition will be named after Princess Diana. Rose comes in as a wildcard at 40/1. The bookies have set stakes at 20/1 (Betway) and 20/1 (William Hill) for the third child to be named after their late grandmother.