With the royal baby due this summer all eyes are currently on Kate Middleton’s bump. With just under one month until her expected due date in mid-July, several packages are on offer around London to mark the arrival of this most eagerly anticipated baby. Whether you’re an expectant mother yourself or just want to celebrate his or her arrival in true British style, here are five of our favourites:

A Royal Summer at the Athenaeum

With the impending arrival of a new royal baby take a look back at previous royal babies, at “The Royal Child” photography exhibition, at the Athenaeum. The hotel, which sits within sight of Buckingham Palace, will offer private viewings of more than 40 rarely seen photos of royal children from Victorian times to the present day. Curator of the exhibition, Ian Pelham-Turner, who has worked with four generations of the royal family over the past 46 years, will be on hand. He will talk about his time working with the family as a royal photographer and the history behind the photographs on display. Plus the hotel, winner of the 2012 “Top London Afternoon Tea” from The Tea Guild, will serve guests their award-winning Royal Summer Afternoon Tea. Available 22 June to 31 August, £60 includes exhibition and tea.

The Royal Baby Shower Afternoon Tea St James’s Hotel and Club

Kate is reportedly the first ever royal to have a baby shower, so why not join her. Until 31 July fellow mothers to be will receive the royal treatment at this five star hotel, starting with a luxury baby gift to the value of £85, from a baby boutique. They will then receive a pregnancy treatment at Spa Illuminata, one of the finest spas in central London. This is followed by afternoon tea courtesy of award-winning executive chef, William Drabble. The package is £89 each, with a minimum of eight people, and for each one purchased, you can win a three-course meal for two at Michelin-starred Seven Park Place, including a glass of champagne if the mother-to-be delivers on the same day as Kate Middleton.

Due Date: The Cinnamon Club Delivers Royal Labour of Love Menu

For years it’s been said that eating curry induces labour, so kick-start yours so Kate doesn’t steal your thunder! From 17 June to 20 July, the £45 Royal Labour of Love menu at The Cinnamon Club will include ingredients that curb cravings, keep mum and baby healthy, potentially kick-start labour, and help recuperate and restore. Five courses mimic the stages of a nine month pregnancy; Expecting, 9 months, and breathe, overdue, special delivery. If this old wives tale is true and you go into labour in the restaurant, you will receive a free meal every year on the anniversary…just hope your child likes curry!

Baby-moon at The Lanesborough

Enjoy a last romantic break at The Lanesborough before the new addition to the family arrives and brings sleepless nights. Arrive to a welcome cocktail… non-alcoholic of course and enjoy spa treatments whilst your personal butler unpacks your bags. Then take a trip to Knightsbridge, where you will be guided to the best baby shops in town. After a restful night’s sleep enjoy a full English breakfast. This package is available at weekends and priced from £615 to £755.

“Mums only Sleepover” at The Bingham

If you need a night away from your big kid as well, why not check into The Bingham. Every Sunday until 31 December the hotel is offering sleep deprived mums the opportunity to check into one of their Queen Single Bedrooms for much needed rest and relaxation. Read a book or potter around boutique shop, have a hot bath with Abhana bath oils and scented candles, followed by room service or dinner in the river view bar (up to £25). After a night of uninterrupted sleep, enjoy a peaceful breakfast before you leave to head back to the madness (from £150).

More royal London

The exciting news about the arrival of a royal baby in London is only tainted by the fact that the duchess has been admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in Central London with acute morning sickness. Let’s hope she recovers soon.

As the BBC points out, the royal baby will be born third in line and in direct succession to the throne. He or she will one day be head of the armed forces, supreme governor of the Church of England and subsequently head of state in 16 countries.

Are you fans of the royal couple? Don’t forget there are many ways you can learn and experience more about the Royal Family in London. Here are some tips for enjoying Royal London; and some suggestions on how you can sample Kate Middleton’s favourite London haunts.

Would you like to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge? Madame Tussauds London has just unveiled brand new wax figures of William and Catherine.

Catherine’s outfit includes a replica of the famous blue Issa dress she wore when the couple announced their engagement, as well as a replica of the sapphire engagement ring which belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales and was given by William to Catherine.

The couple are now on permanent display together in the Royal Family Zone.

If you’re a fan of the royal couple, why not read our guides to William’s London and Catherine’s London and find out where they like to spend time in the capital.

What else could possibly have been our choice as Video of the Week for this week?

Here’s an amazing film of the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – Prince William and Kate – on their way from Westminster Abbey after the wedding ceremony to Buckingham Palace. And it gives a great view of that gorgeous dress!

Did you see the Royal Wedding on TV? Or were you watching from the Mall? Perhaps you were hosting a street party in honour of the royal couple. Let us know in the comments below.

And don’t forget to add your Royal Wedding photos to the Visit London flickrpool.

In the year of the Royal Wedding, this could be your only chance to get up close to Prince William.

We’re giving away a family ticket to Madame Tussauds, where you can have your photo taken with the handsome prince before he’s joined by Kate Middleton later this year.

As well as the royal family, you’ll see lifelike wax figures of celebrities including David and Victoria Beckham, Lady Gaga, Robert Pattinson and Barack Obama.

Enter for a chance to win a family ticket to Madame Tussauds

The Royal Collection has launched its official range of china to commemorate next year’s marriage of Prince William of Wales and Catherine (Kate) Middleton.

Approved by the happy couple, the Royal Wedding range includes a tankard, plate and pillbox made from English fine bone china. The design features William and Kate’s initials intertwined as well as doves, white ribbons and hearts.

You can purchase the official china in London from the Royal Collection shops at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Or buy it online at online at www.royalcollectionshop.co.uk.

What do you think of the Royal Wedding china? Tell us in the comments below.

It’s official! Kate Middleton and Prince William are going to be married on 29 April in Westminster Abbey.

And Prime Minister David Cameron has confirmed that the occasion will be marked with a public holiday. 

Westminster Abbey is the same place that hosted the Queen and the Queen Mother’s weddings; it was also the venue for Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997.

The prince’s private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkington said the couple wanted a spring wedding and felt that the abbey offered relative intimacy despite its size.

The extra day’s holiday falls in the same week as Easter Monday, giving millions of workers a three-day week.

David Cameron said, “We want to mark the day as one of national celebration, a public holiday will ensure the most people possible have a chance to celebrate on the day.”

What do you think of the date? Are you going to come and watch from the streets of Westminster? Let us know in the comments below…

We’re thrilled at the news Prince William is going to marry Kate Middleton in London next year.

Here at VL Towers, we’ve been in deep discussions about the London location for the ceremony, the dress and of course, the reception.

Will they go for the tradition of a royal wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey? Or perhaps St Paul’s Cathedral, like William’s parents, Charles and Diana did 29 years ago. Or maybe they’ll go for something a bit quirkier: did you know you can get married at London Zoo, Kew Gardens and the Science Museum, not to mention Wembley Stadium and HMS Belfast!

And we’re hoping they’ll take tips from our ideas for hen weekends and stag dos in the capital.

If you’re inspired by the new royal being welcomed into our midst next year, why not take a few tips from our Royal Day Out in London.

Above images of Kate and William from flickr, by Nick Warner and Rob the moment.