A BBC newsreader struggled to conceal his lack of enthusiasm as he announced the news of the Duchess of Cambridge’s due date live on air today.
Veteran journalist Simon McCoy, 56, appeared utterly underwhelmed as he revealed Kate and William are expecting their third child in April next year.
Speaking moments after news of the due date broke, Mr McCoy said to camera: ‘I’m not sure how much news this really is,’ before sarcastically encouraging viewers to ‘clear their diaries’ and ‘get the time booked off’ ahead of the young royal’s arrival.
Mr McCoy is known for his candid approach to news reading. He previously delighted viewers with his sardonic coverage outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s in the lead up to Prince George’s birth in 2013.
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Growing family: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with George, four, and Charlotte, two
Kensington Palace revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, pictured at Paddington station yesterday, are ‘delighted’ to be expecting their third child in April next year
In a short statement released this afternoon, Kensington Palace revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are ‘delighted’ to be expecting their third child in April 2018. The exact due date was not disclosed.
Moments later, Mr McCoy shared the announcement as a breaking news alert on Afternoon Live on the BBC News channel.
He said: ‘Their royal highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in April.’
However he quickly questioned the importance of the update.
He continued: ‘Now, bearing in mind they announced that she was pregnant back in September and it was thought she was two or three months pregnant at the time, I’m not sure how much news this really is.
‘But it’s April, clear your diaries, get the time booked off because that’s what I’m doing.’
Underwhelmed: Veteran journalist Simon McCoy struggled to muster any enthusiasm as he announced the Duchess of Cambridge’s due date on Afternoon Live on Tuesday
Kensington Palace announced the news on their Twitter page this afternoon – noting that the happy couple are ‘delighted’
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, pictured with Prince George and Princess Charlotte waving to the crowd before departing by sea plane from Victoria Harbour Airport in Victoria, Canada in September, will soon be parents of three
The royal couple were forced to announce the pregnancy early on September 4 because Kate has been struck down with the same severe morning sickness that she suffered while carrying George, four, and Charlotte, two.
Kate will be heavily pregnant on an official visit to Norway and Sweden with her husband early next year. The Palace said the couple had been asked to undertake the Scandinavian visit on behalf of the Foreign Office and William will also make a solo trip to Finland next month.
Kate made her second appearance since announcing the news yesterday and showcased a new shorter do and hint of a baby bump to coincide with her return to public duties.
Kate was the star of the show at Paddington station as she let the giant bear spin her around before a crowd of impressed onlookers
The Duchess proved she has rhythm as she boogied with the bear in front of amused onlookers. Despite wearing heels, Kate still managed to pull off the dance moves with aplomb
The Duchess of Cambridge is still not fully recovered from the acute morning sickness that has blighted her third pregnancy but found herself playing the role of Dancing Queen yesterday.
Kate, 35, was twirled around Platform 1 at Paddington station in London after making a surprise appearance alongside the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry and cast members from the new Paddington 2 movie at an event involving children from the charities they support.
She and an actor inside a Paddington costume danced to the sound of calypso band D-Lime, who play on the soundtrack of the first and second Paddington films.
It was Kate’s second public appearance since Kensington Palace officially announced on September 4 that she was pregnant with her third child and suffering from the severe morning sickness hyperemesis gravidarum.
She has previously pulled out of engagements because of the HG, which can cause vomiting up to 60 times a day but decided to join her husband and brother-in-law as her condition has improved.
The Duchess of Cambridge, who is expecting her third child with Prince William, showcased her dance skills as she let Paddington Bear twirl her around during a charity visit to Paddington station in London on Monday
The pregnant Duchess showed she was a good sport by enjoying a dance on the train station platform with Paddington
The Duchess is getting back into the swing of things after taking a six week break while she battled hyperemesis gravidarum
‘She’s feeling much better,’ William said. An aide added: ‘The Duchess is feeling much better but she has still not fully recovered.’
The three royals joined actor Hugh Bonneville and other members of the cast of Paddington 2 at the station, where they met 130 children from around a dozen of the 30 organisations supported by their royal charities forum.
They spent 45 minutes chatting to children on board the Belmond British Pullman steam train, the sister train to the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, before waving them off on a journey into the English countryside.
Kate, in an AW13 Orla Kiely dress, which was £348 at the time of purchase, was blooming, bending down to speak at length to children and their parents.