TORONTO – The timer is ticking down on the bun in Kate’s oven, but things are just heating up for royal baby trends inspired by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s first-born.
And the doulas are excited.
“If Kate has the birth that she wants, I think a lot of people are going to start to think a little bit more about alternative childbirth education classes, including hypnobirthing,” said doula Natasha Marchand, a hypnobirthing practitioner at Toronto’s Bebo Mia fertility and pregnancy centre.
Hypnobirthing is a way to relax the body during childbirth and involves deep abdominal breathing, visualization and self-hypnosis in order to achieve a more comfortable birth.
Marchand believes Kate’s natural delivery could change the way women have their babies, just as past royals have set trends throughout history.
“When pain relief was first used, and when forceps were first used, it was royalty that did it,” she said. “And then it trickled out into middle- and upper-class people… They definitely are trend setters.”
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Another Toronto baby store has a poster of the royal couple advertising their rumoured stroller preference.
“We’ve heard Bugaboo is their choice of stroller: the chameleon variety, in probably a royal blue,” said Sharon Porter of Moms to be and More.
Then there are all of the festivities planned in anticipation of the birth.
The Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto has revised their afternoon High Tea celebration in honour of Will and Kate. The menu includes “Kate’s” tomato gazpacho caprese salad, “William’s” banana flans, English sticky toffee pudding and baby scones.
The Royal York has set up a “Royal Suite” display, and has created a book where guests can write congratulations, which will be delivered to the new parents.
“The beautiful display is located next to the towering clock in the lobby, that was presented by the Queen herself as a thank you to the Fairmont Royal York and our hospitality during her visit,” said a release.
But you don’t have to visit the hotel to get royal treats: bakeries such as Le Dolci in Toronto are cooking up cupcakes that pay homage to Will and Kate.
“We’re going to make some babies wrapped in gold blankets with the fascinator that Kate Middleton wore, some British flags, baby boots, and we’re going to have lots of fun,” said owner Lisa Sangeudolce.
With all the souvenirs and birth-related festivities—estimated to generate £260 million worldwide when you add in tourism—there’s one trend that’s free.
The third in line to the throne is the subject of what reports call the first pre-natal Wikipedia entry: “Child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambrdige.” Your baby could be next!
With a report from Marianne Dimain
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