Throughout Kate and William's relationship, Kate's mum Carole and sister Pippa Middleton have been omni-present, popping up at every possible moment (and sashaying a certain famous bottom), as if to say: "Don't forget about us. We might not be real Royals – but that baby's as much ours as theirs!"
But now that Kate aka daughter and sister aka the Duchess of Cambridge has gone into labour, the Middletons appear to have gone missing.
Where's Pippa, offering her advice on how to fold a nappy-kin?
More importantly, where's Mum, offering wise words of counsel and advice ("Don't call the father-to-be an 'effin' b', love, no matter how much pain you're in – caused by him!").
No, they're nowhere to be seen. Why not? Have they been told to stay away? Have the Palace guardians warned them not to steal the limelight?
Or are they squirreled away inside St. Mary's Hospital, offering Kate their comfort and support? Well, apparently not the latter.
According to a report – and contrary to recent speculation - Carole and Pippa will not be in the delivery room in the Lido Wing as Kate welcomes her first born.
"Buckingham Palace denied rumours that they were going to be in the delivery room with Kate. She very much wants just her husband to be there," NBC News reported today.
Which is a pity – for if Kate had found herself out of reach of a hospital, her mother would have been equipped to deliver her: as a former British Airways flight attendant, Carole has been trained to act as an emergency midwife!
There's still time for Kate to call on her Mum's expertise yet!
Kate and William spent the last week of her pregnancy hidden away in the Middletons' home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, which boasts a cooling swimming pool.