Duchess of Cambridge's pal drops royal baby news

Catherine, Duchess Of Cambridge is set to give royal fans an extra special Christmas gift - the princess is pregnant, according a close friend and former school pal.

Jessica Hay reveals the former Kate Middleton and her husband Prince William will officially announce the baby news early next month. The child will be the couple's first.

Hay tells Life + Style magazine, "I have this on the highest authority, and it's not to be taken lightly. It's going to be wonderful, happy news when it's announced."

Hay attended the exclusive Marlborough school with the Duchess and was a guest at the royal wedding reception last year.

She reveals the royal family is thrilled about the prospect of welcoming another member in 2013, adding, "They have been talking about William and Catherine having children for quite some time."

And she expects the couple to make perfect parents: "William will definitely be a hands-on dad and not rely heavily on nannies to raise his and Catherine's children. They both try to be as normal as possible in their private lives, and that of course is going to continue when they have children."