ROYAL WATCHERS KEEP EYES ON MID-JULY

Prince William’s polo-field presence signals no baby yet

Prince William, left, and his brother, Prince Harry, play polo in a charity match about 100 miles from London. Some thought the royal birth would occur Sunday.

LONDON — His wife may be due to have her baby soon, but Prince William isn’t one to sit and wait for the news.

Instead, he was playing polo.

Many in the British press have predicted that the first child of the prince and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, formerly known as Kate Middleton, was expected to arrive on Sunday.

Dozens of bleary-eyed photographers and cameramen have been on around-the clock royal baby watch outside St. Mary’s Hospital in London.

But the prince was playing polo with his brother, Prince Harry, at a charity match at Cirencester Park Polo Club, almost 100 miles west of the capital. Footage aired on Sky News showed Prince William appearing relaxed as he greeted locals.

Bookmaker William Hill says most bettors have put money on a royal birth Sunday, today, or Tuesday.

Officials have said the baby is due in mid-July but have not released a date. The birth will be announced by a bulletin on a wooden easel outside Buckingham Palace. The birth of Prince William’s father, Prince Charles, was announced the same way in 1948.

This time, however, officials will add an announcement on Twitter for the rest of the world.