JENNA WOLFE, co-host:
You know how the saying goes, 'First comes love, then comes marriage, then come royalty in a
baby carriage
.' Hold on. The baby rumors surrounding
William
and
Kate
are burning hotter than ever these days.
NBC
's
Chapman Bell
explains why.
CHAPMAN BELL reporting:
She's still the newest jewel in the
British crown
. But how long will it stay that way?
Royal
rumors are rife that
Kate
, the
Duchess of Cambridge
, is carrying an
heir to the throne
. On a visit to a
UNICEF
relief warehouse in
Copenhagen
earlier this week,
William
and
Kate
, along with the crowned prince and princess of
Denmark
, were offered a taste of a protein paste, one given to starving children in
Africa
. Three royals indulged but
Kate
declined.
Ms. JESSICA CALLAN (Journalist and Writer):
William
had some, passed it to
Kate
, who kind of gave this look, and she passed it on.
BELL:
But the snack contains peanuts, a food pregnant women are discouraged to eat due to possible links with allergies in the unborn child. Reports say the palace later admitted
Kate
does not have a
nut allergy
. Once that happened the tabloids and
Internet
went baby wild. Then there's this. While at a
St. James Palace
reception, filling in for the out of town
Prince Charles
, rumors began to circulate when it was reported
Kate
declined champagne and drank water instead.
Ms. CALLAN:
It was definitely a clear liquid, we think it's water. And then of course, as well as the peanut incidence, in
Copenhagen
. So of course, speculation is
going wild
that could there be an announcement on the way?
BELL:
The palace say this is not the first time that
Kate
has politely declined food and say not to read too much into this. Rumors about the
royal household
are not uncommon. And due to a recent change in the laws of succession,
for the first time
in over 300 years a first born princess would be
heir to the throne
, even if she had a younger brother.
Ms. CAMILLA TOMINEY (Royal Commentator):
It's really the capping off of the fairy tale as far as
Kate
and
William
are concerned for them to become parents. So speculation is always at fever pitch.
BELL:
Bookies in
London
are slashing their odds for a royal baby announcement in the coming months. Some are closing the books altogether. But for now, all eyes will stay on
Kate
for an official announcement of the next
heir to the throne
, whenever that may be. For TODAY,
Chapman
Bell,
NBC
News, London.
WOLFE:
For more now on
Kate
's baby buzz, we turn to
NBC
royal contributor
Robert Jobson
.
Robert
, good morning.
Mr. ROBERT JOBSON (NBC Royal Contributor):
Good morning,
Jenna
.
WOLFE:
OK, are we making too big a deal about this? She doesn't eat some
peanut paste
, perhaps she doesn't drink champagne, and boom, we've got her pregnant already. Are we making a
big deal
about this?
Mr. JOBSON:
Well, we would, wouldn't we? Six months since they were married in the biggest wedding that probably we've ever seen really in media world. I think that everyone, as
Chapman
was saying in his piece, is wanting this baby, really.
And I
think that they're looking for every sign for that to happen. The change in the laws of succession, the fact she's not eating
peanut paste
, everyone's looking for those signs. I think the big sign will come when they decide to get a bigger property, and there's whispers that that may happen at some stage.
WOLFE:
Because they need a bigger property, they probably can't fit another baby in their small, tiny little confine. So but you mention that the laws of succession, that is a pretty big coincidence that this week that comes out and then
all of a sudden
we are hearing rumors of
baby talk
, no?
Mr. JOBSON:
Well, one thing is for sure, that
Prince William
's main job as
heir to the throne
is to make sure the line of succession is secure. He's married the love of his life in
Kate
, and they've both said that they want children. So look, it's going to happen. It's a question of when. I think that next year,
2012
, the queen's
Diamond Jubilee
is hugely significant.
William
and
Kate
will play a central role in that and perhaps after all the celebrations in the summer then they may be away to the
Scottish hills
and babies may be on their mind.
WOLFE:
Is that palace saying anything about this whatsoever? Have we heard from the happy couple if this is in their plans? And if so, when that would be?
Mr. JOBSON:
No. The
royal family
tend to do their own announcements, births, deaths, marriages, that's what they do. They want to try to keep it to themselves. I think obviously that there's a very big year next year. I personally think they'll play their part in that, traveling on behalf of the queen and then perhaps
2013
we'll be looking for a baby to actually be born with an announcement at the back end of next year. That's my feeling, but you know, they are a young, in love couple and who knows?
WOLFE:
Indeed, you're correct.
Robert Jobson
,
thank you so much
.
“ ”