Getting ready to broadcast, the world's media waits outside of St Mary's Hospital in London for the moment the Duchess of Cambridge, popularly known as Kate, will give birth to a royal child.

Bookies report that betting on the royal baby is still a popular pastime for British punters, who like to combine two national passions - gambling and royalty.

Placing bets on what the baby, which will be third in line to the British throne, will be called is the most popular.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) SPOKESMAN FOR WILLIAM HILL BETTING SHOP, JOE CRILLY, SAYING:

"So everybody is thinking it is going to be a girl, but rather than just backing a girl they are going for a little bit of extra value. They are going for Alexandra, the most popular name. Charlotte, 6-1, second favourite, a lively outsider. And Elizabeth, obviously you start to get into the regal names here. Elizabeth 7-1, Victoria 9-1 and of course Diana 10-1, that's been very popular and well-backed."

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