There is certainly comfort in the familiar, and that's probably one of the many reasons the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton will be delivering her second royal baby in the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital. She gave birth to Prince George there almost two years ago, and now she's headed back to give the world another prince or maybe a princess.
So, what's life like inside of the royal delivery wing? It's not too shabby, and it's definitely pricey. Consultant-led care begins at $8,135 per night, but the Duchess will probably be cared for in one of the en-suite rooms or "deluxe rooms" and "suites" which are geared for those "who would like to take advantage of a larger space," according to the hospital's website.
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The maternity facility has been a longtime favorite of the royal family. Peter and Zara Phillips (cousins of Prince William and Prince Harry) were born there as well, among others. And maybe the "dedicated hotel services team" has something to do with it. The Lindo Wing prides itself on its room amenities, which include satellite TV, a radio, a phone and Wi-Fi.
And if patients have special dietary needs, the Lindo Wing will provide for those, too. The brochure boasts, "Our extensive and nutritious menu caters for special dietary, cultural and religious requirements (including vegetarian, kosher and halal meals)."
Patients and families also get to choose which daily newspaper they'd like to receive so they can keep up with the hubbub outside of the hospital walls (although they're definitely no strangers to that).
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While Dr. Marcus Setchell, Queen Elizabeth II's former gynecologist, led the team during the Duchess' first delivery, there has been a change of plans this time around because he retired soon after. He also received a knighthood for his service to the royal family. For Kate's second child, Dr. Alan Farthing, who was on the delivery team for Prince George, will lead this time along with obstetrician Guy Thorpe-Beeston.
While some moms prefer to have home births or even water births, Ken Wharfe, former personal protection officer to William, Harry and their mother, Princess Diana, told People that the royals will always go to the Lindo Wing. "Short of having a birthing pool in Kensington Palace and having a flock of storks fly over, it's in the book – having the baby at the Lindo is what they do," he said. "They won't change it."
But while the Duchess is making herself as comfortable as possible inside the hospital, what will George be up to? Could he come to visit his future little brother or sister? We'll find out soon enough.
Love all things royal? Tune in this Sunday for a brand-new episode of "The Royals" at 10 p.m. on E!
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