Ladies In Waiting! - Kate Leads The Royal Baby Charge

The dazzling duchess isn’t the only one blooming

Beaming in baby blue, the Duchess of Cambridge radiated happiness as she joined the Queen and senior members of the monarchy for their annual appearance at Royal Ascot.

Looking relaxed and excited at the glamorous race-day event, Kate barely stopped smiling, and now Woman’s Day can reveal the very special reason for her joy – Kate is believed to be expecting her fourth child!

“She and William are absolutely thrilled,” tells our insider. “It’s certainly happened a bit faster than they’d anticipated and they’re lovingly referring to the pregnancy as their ‘happy surprise’, but it’s something they’ve long dreamed of. Before children, they thought three was the dream, but now the doting parents think that four is the magic number.”

They hope to have a little girl, so they have two of each, adds the source. “Charlotte’s made it clear to her parents that she wants a sister.”

Kate is believed to be due in December and while she’s already busy juggling her royal commitments and being a mum to Prince George, five, Princess Charlotte, four, and one-year-old Louis, the news has been welcomed by all. In fact, our source says Kate and William shared their secret with the Queen at last week’s Trooping the Colour.

“Her Majesty holds William and Kate in such high regard,” says the source. “She adores her great-grandkids and looks forward to the new arrival.”

While Kate, 37, was plagued by severe morning sickness during her three previous pregnancies, this time it’s been smooth sailing so far. However, witnesses had earlier noted that she appeared a little unwell during a carriage ride at the Trooping the Colour.