Kate Middleton Baby Shower Not Happening Before Due Date in July, Despite Pregnancy Rumors [VIDEO]
Despite rumors that her party planner sister Pippa Middleton would throw the affair for her, Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton will in fact not have a bridal shower, royal experts said according to ABC News.
OK! magazine came out last week stating that Kate would celebrate her pregancy with a bridal shower, though it is not typical tradition for royals. Neither Queen Elizabeth nor Queen Victoria had showers for their firstborns, according to Hollywood Life. The magazine cited a "friend of Kate's" that said "It was her sister Pippa's idea" and noted details of the rumored event.
"While it's all going to be very relaxed and fun, Kate is hoping the queen will drop by because the two are remarkably close," the source said. "They bonded big time and really enjoy each other's company. Since this is going to be a first for royals, Kate would love the queen to be part of it."
However, royal experts said there is no chance that Kate will have a baby shower and one reason is because of her wealth.
There's the "added pressure that they are clearly very wealthy, and a lavish baby shower would be seen as highly inappropriate," said Victoria Arbiter, ABC News royal expert. "There's nothing they can't go out and buy themselves."
Arbiter added that any gifts given to Kate and Prince William for their child must be "respectfully returned," and there is a possibility that the couple will instead request charitable donations, like they did in lieu of a wedding registry. The royal family can and will probably only accept gifts from family and friends who come to meet the baby after he or she is born, which is customary in the British culture.
Olivia Robinson, creative director of the British store Mamas and Papas, said baby registries - called "wish lists" in the United Kingdom - are less popular than they are in the U.S. On the other hand, it is customary for the child's grandparents to buy some staple items such as a stroller or crib.
Kate is due to give birth in July.