Son destined to become monarch

The royal baby, which will be born third in line to the throne, is destined to rule as monarch.

A great-grandchild to the Queen — her third — the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s baby will one day be Head of the Armed Forces, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, head of state of 16 countries and possibly if the role is maintained in the future, Head of the Commonwealth which covers 54 nations across the world.

If the baby, which will be heralded as a symbol of the continuation the monarchy, follows after the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge as Sovereign, he or she will be the 43rd monarch since William the Conqueror obtained the crown of England in 1066.