Kate Middleton Royal Baby: Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William to be 'Normal' Parents

Kate Middleton and Prince William are counting the minutes to the birth of their first child, who will be third in line to the throne.

But even as the entire royal family and observers from across the world await happy news, former Kensington Palace chef Darren McGrady revealed to Us Weekly that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were keen to be "more normal" royal parents.

"Kate, I understand, can cook, so I think she will do some cooking, but of course once the baby comes along, [she and William will] be expected to start taking on royal engagements again, so any sort of free time they get they'll want to be spending having quality time with the baby -- and not peeling apples and making purees," McGrady said, "That will be delegated pretty quickly to the chef."

Previously, it was revealed by insiders Prince William is "determined to be a modern father".

"It seems over the years we're getting a normalisation of the royal family," he said, "We are seeing them become more normal, but as I said, time is going to dictate that they're not going to be able to go in the kitchen and cook baby food and things. I think things will be a little more lenient when they go across to Kate's parents - the Middletons - that will be more of a normal side."

McGrady said the Queen practised strict rules regarding parenting when Prince Charles was a child.

"The Queen would hardly ever see Prince Charles, he'd always be in the nursery," he added, "Even now, the royal children are not allowed to sit at the Queen's table until they can hold their knife and fork properly and know which order to eat and how to conduct themselves properly."

"But then of course, Princess Diana came along and I remember she would fight for time to spend with William," he continued, adding Kate will "get much, much more time with the baby, and to a degree she will. They're evolving and becoming more and more normal as the years go on."

READ: Kate Middleton Pregnancy Update: Duchess of Cambridge to Give Birth at Royal Berkshire Hospital?