Royal baby: Prince Harry to miss birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's second child as he flies to Australia

Interest in the impending birth has reached fever pitch

Prince Harry has flown to Australia and will miss the birth of his brother's second child.

The prince - who is probably the source of envy for many Royal-baby-sick Brits - is going to be on the other side of the world when the Duchess of Cambridge gives birth.

She is due to have her second child in St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, imminently. The bookies' favourite date for the birth was the Saturday just gone.

It's been reported that the Duchess is now overdue, and crowds of ardent monarchists have been patiently waiting outside the Lindo Wing.

Harry, meanwhile, will be visiting army units in Perth and Sydney, and will be on an official tour of New Zealand until 16 May.

At least it means he misses all the speculation about the date his sister-in-law will give birth and the gender of the child. The couple sent pastries with pink ribbons to their faithful fans on Tuesday afternoon, sending them into a tizzy of excitement.

Well played, Harry, well played.