While Britain and the rest of the world wait with bated breath for the birth of Kate Middleton’s second child, experts are already crunching the numbers on how big an economic boost the country might enjoy should royal baby #2 be a girl.
“I think there will be an immediate boost of around £80 million when the baby is born, with around ($30 million-$37 million) spent on souvenirs and the rest on food and drink such as cake and sparkling wine,” Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the UK’s Center for Retail Research, revealed to London’s Telegraph. “There isn’t as much excitement when it’s the second baby, but a girl would have the potential to boost the fashion industry.
“As well as the boost to baby clothing sales that we have seen from Prince George, a princess would be able to set trends throughout her life, which will be great for the people who designed her clothes or those who can make quick knock-off copies.”
When Prince George made his appearance in 2013, his entrance was marked by frenzied shoppers snapping up copies of Kate’s maternity wear, mini overalls and jumpers for their own bundles of joy, and rivers of flowing champagne to toast his arrival.
According to the Telegraph report, British economy got a $369 million goose from George’s birth – a royal princess could add an extra $200 million-plus to the kitty. Add in a few public appearances and her style could ultimately ring up $150 billion worth of publicity and sales.
Of course, money doesn’t buy privacy, sanity or peace of mind, especially for a girl who would be this deeply in the public eye.
If Kate gives birth to a daughter, “she will be growing up in the public eye as a princess and I can think of no greater pressure,” Catherine Mayer, author of Charles: The Heart of a King, said to E! News.
“It is bad enough being a female in public life, but being a princess in public life is, you know, that child will be scrutinised. She will be told she’s pretty—and then she’ll be told maybe she’s not so pretty, whether she’s eating enough or eating too little.”
