Good morning, all! I thought I'd pop in briefly to send a signal of life from my end and update you on the obvious: no royal baby yet!  Cheers to those of you who went with a later date on Baby Bookie! The Duchess hasn't been slowing down in her private life. She was spotted in Hungerford last weekend shopping with her brother James for home decor items! The Daily Mail reports:

My spies spotted James dragging the heavily pregnant Kate – wearing a poncho to shield her from the rain outside – round a shopping complex called Barrs Yard, an ‘artisans collective’, in Hungerford.

He told an assistant at the tills that they were buying things for his new country home.

This week, Kate returned to Kensington Palace in London, signaling that her due-date is probably coming up. Emily Andrews reported some time ago that April 23rd is the date, and Emily often has the inside scoop! Speaking of which, if you haven't tuned in to her new podcast, you absolutely need to do that. It is titled "On Heir!" and is available here or on iTunes. It will make this Great Kate Wait go by faster, and you will be a well-informed royal watcher!

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth leaders are supposedly deciding today whether or not Prince Charles will, upon the Queen's death, succeed her as head of the Commonwealth. Contrary to popular assumption, there is no guarantee that he will get the nod. Richard Palmer pointed out that the Queen's remarks today are the first we have seen her straight-forwardly lobbying on Charles' behalf:

The fact she has spoken out might suggest she already has word her son will be selected. I am not sure if it is absolutely confirmed that we will know today, but keep your eyes peeled for news on this.  Remember to follow me on Instagram for timely updates and royal watching in this waiting period. 

Duchess Kate Snapped Unloading Range Rover at Windsor On Easter Sunday

There were reports that the Cambridges spent Easter in Bucklebury, but photos that surfaced recently suggest the family came to Windsor for Easter Sunday. These photos were taken by a couple visiting the State Apartments at Windsor Castle on Easter Sunday, but they got to see more than just the antiques as a view out of one of the windows revealed a very famous family of four arriving.

Although I only see Kate and George in these four snaps, the man who shared them said all four of the Cambridges were unloading the car, and William and Charlotte were both there. 

I wonder if the family spent Holy Week with the Middletons and then the day/night at Windsor on Sunday before heading to Norfolk? 

TeaTimeWithTheCambridges spoke to the man who took the photos, and apparently, Charlotte is the child Kate is holding. William got out of the car first with Lupo and George, and George waited by the door while Kate got Charlotte out of the car. George does love to stick close to mom. :) [I think the child in her arms looks like George...] It is always fun to see sweet photos of Kate being a normal mom. 

This Tuesday has seen a spate of candids of the Cambridges. After their Windsor Easter, it seems the Cambridges decided to decamp to Anmer for more time in the country, and Kate was photographed by a fan at her local Waitrose shopping on Easter Monday. The DailyMail has a whole bunch of snaps, and you can see them here. I love the guys in the back watching her from a distance. Talk about a celebrity in the house. 

DailyMail

The parking restrictions outside the Lindo Wing go up on the 10th and the media can set up on the 11th, so I agree with those speculating Baby Cambridge is due mid-month. Let the Great Kate Wait continue... 

Kate is Late for Easter at Windsor (William, too ;))

It happens to the best of us. This morning, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were late to the Easter morning service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor, turning up by chauffeured driven Bentley after the other royals and the Queen had arrived.

When the couple was absent from the usual line of royals walking to the chapel, it seemed they were skipping the annual gathering, but Emily Andrews shared Richard Palmer's video from Windsor and pointed out that the couple may have just hit traffic on their drive over from Bucklebury, where they are spending Easter with the Middletons.

VIDEO: #kate & #princewilliam were late to St George’s Chapel for the Easter service: perhaps they got held up in roadworks on M4 from Bucklebury, where they’re spending Easter with Kate’s parents. 🎥@RoyalReporter who is on the scene! pic.twitter.com/xZbJw5yc3r

— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) April 1, 2018

Before the couple arrived, the royals lined up to greet the Queen--who is supposed to arrive last. Emily pointed out in this video that the Queen hesitated and looked around, seemingly questioning where William and Kate were. Awkward. 

VIDEO: The Queen always arrives last, as monarch, at the Easter church service at St George’s but she seemed to be looking for #princeWilliam & #kate who were late. Some excellent curtsies from the royal ladies. 🎥@RoyalReporter is on the scene pic.twitter.com/zUvPc4x4Hu

— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) April 1, 2018

It was an Easter full of excitement for the Windsors, as Eugenie brought her fiancé Jack with her to the family event:

And someone on Twitter (maybe Gert?) pointed out that Lady Louise is wearing heels for the first time. This is not a detail I would know on my own, but she certainly is looking grown up and sophisticated. My recollection is that, at this age, Easter is such a fun day, because you get to dress up in a hat, and a fancy ensemble, and feel super glamorous. I know that's not the point of Easter, but when I was 14 that was a big component. ;) 

I was particularly delighted to see Zara looking absolutely radiant as she is expecting a little one of her own, soon.

Kate chose to recycle the brown Catherine Walker she wore to St. Patrick's Day while pregnant with Princess Charlotte. I am honestly surprised this still fits Kate, but she looks fantastic in it. I love the choice of the Praline accessories. Kate is carrying her Loeffler-Randall clutch and wearing her Praline pumps by Gianvito Rossi. The Betty Boop hat is, of course, an old favorite, and Kate finished the look off with her faux pearl set from Balenciaga.

Last year, there was a shift in William and Kate's duties. They kicked into new gear and took another step in a continuum of increasing seniority. I think that included starting to attend Easter at Windsor, and I was not surprised to see them on hand this morning. I loved this ensemble on Kate. It fit her well and really flattered her--she looked so tiny! The accessories were the perfect color to lighten the look, too. Big success all around! 

Video: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leaving the Easter service at Windsor. The couple arrived for the service after the scheduled start time and after the Queen and other members of the royal family had already gone in. pic.twitter.com/ALcVccqXoQ

— Catherine Wylie (@wyliecatherine) April 1, 2018

Don't forget to place your bet on Baby Cambridge's birthday. April 10th looks pretty popular, and April 21st is way out in front. As I mention in the intro, the 18th is not the due date, it is just the random number I had to choose for the program.

A blessed and Happy Easter to you all and to your families.