As the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge get used to the world of parenthood, new mothers who gave birth on the same day as Kate are also celebrating their new arrivals.

At Colchester General Hospital’s maternity ward five women joined Kate and gave birth on Monday.

Nicola and Ben Welham, of Mill Lane, Colchester, became the proud parents of William Kieron John at 11.46am, weighing 8lb 10oz.

He is the couple’s second child.

Mrs Welham, 390, said: “It is quite exciting really.

“It is nice that when he is older he will share his birthday with one of the next generation on the throne.

The new parents are hoping to get one of the commemorative coins that have been made as a souvenir for babies born on the day.

Mrs Welham said: “It will be lovely to have in his memory box for when he is older. I think it is really sweet and something to remember his birthday.”

Kelly-Marie Bennett hoped baby Riley would share a birthday with the future King, but never thought it would happen.

Baby Riley arrived on Tuesday at 9.30am, seven hours before the little Prince, and Kelly-Marie said she couldn’t be happier.

“I think it is extra special for him to born on the same day as the future King. I’m so happy,” said proud mum Kelly-Marie, 20, who lives in Rush Green Road, in Clacton.

“Before I knew I was going into labour, I said it would be great for him to share a birthday with the new Royal but I never really believed it would happen.”

Kelly-Marie was so tired after Riley’s birth, she didn’t even know the Duchess of Cambridge had gone into labour.

“After he came, I was so tired so I spent the day just relaxing and sleeping,” she added.

“I didn’t see any of the news coverage on Kate but I was glad when I heard she had given birth too. I suppose we’ll always have that in common.”

Victoria Cameron and Grant Fisher are also celebrating after the birth of their daughter Eve, who was born yesterday evening at 6.31pm.

Ms Cameron, 32, of Bradford Drive, Colchester, was two weeks overdue so had not expected to share her big day with the royal couple.

She said:  “I thought it would be nice that they would be born in the same month but I didn’t think it would be the same day.

“Obviously there is a lot of publicity about the future king being born and of all the days our baby decided to come on that day too.

“To be part of all the hype is nice. It’s a nice association.

“A lot of the midwives have been talking about it.”

For the full story see Wednesday’s Gazette.