The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate, are expecting their third child, and Twitter has welcomed the new addition to the British royal family with open arms and similar jokes.
Back in 2013, the arrival of Prince George set the world’s heart aflutter, but two kids later (Princess Charlotte was born in 2015), the novelty and subsequent enthusiasm has worn off.
No ad to show here.
Read the press release in full ↓ pic.twitter.com/vDTgGD2aGF
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) September 4, 2017
The Duchess is currently less than twelve weeks pregnant, but made the announcement early when cancelling a planned engagement due to morning sickness. The hashtag #royalbaby was trending number one worldwide not long after.
The first to come under Twitter’s fire was Prince William’s hair — or increasing lack thereof.
Just stating now that I think ‘Prince William and his 3 children’ should instead be known as ‘Baldilocks and the 3 heirs’#royalbaby
— Amanda (@Pandamoanimum) September 4, 2017
One can confirm that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting her third child. Prince William needs all the heir he can get. #RoyalBaby
— Prince Charles (@Charles_HRH) September 4, 2017
Next in line was the speed with which the couple has popped out children, and how the Duchess has not caught a break in three years.
“Prince William loves sex,” writes one South African. “I’m tired on behalf of Catherine.”
Yhu rha uPrince William uyayithanda ikuku. Every year they announce that they’re pregnant. I’m tired on behalf of Catherine
— Siri not available (@MOEQueenOfPeace) September 4, 2017
Another one?! Don’t the Duke and Duchess have a television? #royalbaby
— William Hanson (@williamhanson) September 4, 2017
Another South African commented on the activity of William’s “soldiers”.
Caba uWilliam amajoni akhe a active mtakabawo. Baby after baby
— Chwayita (@ChwayMadikane) September 4, 2017
they’re not spacing them out very well. But they can afford the one baby per year so — Issa Rae’s Mirror (@Gerwld) September 4, 2017
Finally, the announcement’s timing was rather astute, as it played right into the hands of another current viral tweet.
Just two days ago, a Twitter user going by the name “Simmo” tweeted that to get paternity leave during next year’s FIFA World Cup, your partner would have to fall pregnant ASAP.
If you get your missus pregnant in the next week or so you’ll get 2 weeks off for paternity when the World Cup is on. Think ahead lads
— Simmo (@Simmo198133) September 2, 2017
The tweet pulled in nearly 50 000 likes and 20 000 retweets — and it didn’t escape the notice of royal family watchers.
Someone is getting the World Cup off
#RoyalBaby#Number3pic.twitter.com/xkRtBgOhjY — Joseph Ellis (@JoeEllis3) September 4, 2017
While the timing is surely great for the Duke, others have found their own baby news severely overshadowed.
The Princess of Sweden announced her pregnancy with her third child last week, and local Tamara Dey announced the pregnancy of her first child just yesterday.
Princess Madeleine of Sweden expecting her third child with husband Chris O’Neill #royalbaby pic.twitter.com/eS2nPOoY6Y
— Jordon-Lee (@JordonLee) August 27, 2017
But of course, for all those having fun with the news, the announcement also brought out the cynics.
Oh, look, the Royals are having another baby, time to get this useful Venn diagram out again #royalbabypic.twitter.com/94p19GZphZ
— Tom Albrighton (@TMALBRGHTN) September 4, 2017
Sometimes it’s too difficult to let people enjoy harmless things.
Featured image: tsaiproject via Flickr (CC BY 2.0, edited)
