Pregnant Kate Middleton To Name Second Royal Baby After Brother James?

Bets on pregnant Kate Middleton having a son named James have been slashed at the bookmakers.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who’s rumoured to be giving birth this weekend, has not confirmed whether she’s expecting a boy or girl – but that hasn’t stopped punters betting on the royal birth.

In fact, bookmakers William Hill have seen a surge of support for the name James, with odds slashed from 14/1 to 8/1.

“We have seen a surge of support for James today with a couple of significant wagers – perhaps the baby might just be a boy after all,” said William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams.

The name is now the fourth most popular choice behind bookies’ favourite Alice (6/4), Elizabeth (11/2) and Charlotte (11/2).

But it’s shot ahead of names including Victoria, Alexandra and Diana – could we be expecting another Prince of Cambridge after all?

The name James is of course the same as her younger brother, 28-year-old James William Middleton – the youngest of the Middleton clan after Kate, 33, and Pippa, 31.

The Berkshire-born Duchess is not thought to know whether she’s expecting a boy or a girl, but rumours are rife that she’s having a daughter.

And a survey by international research firm YouGov revealed that fans on both sides of the pond have their fingers crossed it’s a girl.

The poll, questioning 1713 Brits and 1124 Americans, found that the majority of Kate and Wills fans want a royal baby girl – with just two per cent of Brits hoping for another boy after Prince George.

But the favourite baby girl names between the US and UK respondents are very different, with the likes of Diana, Elizabeth and Victoria taking the lead with the US participants – as opposed to Charlotte, Alice and Alexandra in the UK.

Coincidentally, respondents from both side of the pond chose the name James as their preferred choice for a baby boy.  

Current odds on the royal baby name:

6/4 Alice
11/2 Elizabeth
11/2 Charlotte
8/1 James
12/1 Victoria
14/1 Alexandra
16/1 Diana
20/1 Arthur
25/1 Alexander
25/1 Frances
25/1 Mary
25/1 Phillip
33/1 Albert
33/1 Henry
33/1 Margaret
33/1 Richard
40/1 Edward
40/1 Catherine
40/1 Florence
40/1 Helen
50/1 Charles
50/1 David
50/1 Eleanor

[25 things you didn't know about Kate Middleton]

[Kate Middleton's baby bump style]