Call it what you will — vicarious celebrations, admirable devotion, cashing in — but there's no denying the world has caught royal baby fever. The little prince or princess is still a few days away from birth, and yet it already has parties, signature cocktails, and light shows planned in its honor. Here are some of the more over-the-top ways the world is feting the unborn Royal Baby.
1. A baby shower… in Florida
The British owners of the Haile Village Bistro in Gainesville, Fla., were already in the habit of throwing once-a-month tea parties. It seemed only natural, then, that on the first Saturday of July they would hold a baby shower-themed tea instead. "I read that [Kate Middleton] is due July 13, but they come when they are ready," said co-owner Jenny Nanson. And so on July 6, the owners — Jenny and Gerald Nanson and Jayne and Abbas Yazdi — spread out their lace tablecloths, set the fine China, brewed some English tea, and whipped up cucumber sandwiches and scones. Many of the bistro's regulars — proud Anglophiles, in many cases — came wearing hats and gloves, and even brought baby gifts (which will be donated to a local charity).
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Perhaps you've heard of this new trend for expectant parents? Instead of just finding out the gender of your baby amid the clinical ambiance of a doctor's office, why not through a "gender reveal" party? (We can all agree this name needs a cuteness upgrade though, right?) The pastel-hued occasion culminates in the cutting of a cake that is either pink or blue at its center. Oh, the excitement! National cupcake chain Sprinkles has long been on this sweet bandwagon, offering specialty orders for baby showers. In preparation for the royal baby, Sprinkles is now selling "gender reveal" cupcakes, accessorized by a miniature edible tiara. When the big day finally does come, Sprinkles will roll out "It's a Boy" or "It's a Girl" cupcakes for an entire week. Watch a sneak peak:
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The Kiwis are putting together quite the birthday spectacle. At dusk on the day after the baby's birth, more than 20 landmarks around the country will light up either blue or pink. Some of the big-name monuments included in the festivities are the Christchurch Airport, Auckland's Sky Tower, Gisborne's Town Clock, and Hamilton's Victoria Bridge.
4. The Niagara falls in color
Not to be outdone, Canada is planning a little show of its own. Niagara Falls will light up either blue or pink after the baby is born. If you just can't wait, the park invites people to guess the gender. According to its Facebook page, some 62 percent of people think it will be a girl.
5. A Wikipedia page
The digital world got a jump on the baby by creating a Wikipedia page titled "Child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge." Considering it has lived zero days on this planet, the royal baby has a pretty extensive entry, which includes details of the Duchess' pregnancy, the supposed location of its birth, and its forthcoming title — "Prince/Princess (Name) of Cambridge" — as recently decreed by the Queen. The Daily Beastclaims this is the first unborn child to receive such an honor.
6. Free silver coins!
7. A signature cocktail
Forget the bubbly. This birth will be celebrated with gin, or at least that's what Tanqueray will have you believe. In honor of the royal birth, the London Dry Gin maker has whipped up a recipe for a signature cocktail called The HRH (code for His/Her Royal Highness). The combo of gin, lemon, and — alright — a splash of champagne is "a light and fizzy quaff fit for a future queen (or king)."
Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.
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