'Umbrella Man' has royal baby covered

Covered head to toe in Union Jack paraphernalia, Terry Hutt has been camping on a bench outside St Mary's Hospital for more than a week.

The 79-year-old retired carpenter from Cambridge is "more than excited" about the imminent birth of the third in line to the British throne.

He is one of many well-wishers - Britons and visitors from all over the world - outside the west London hospital at which Prince William's wife, Kate Middleton, is due to give birth any day now.

More than 100 journalists have been waiting at the private hospital for the birth since the beginning of the month, but Hutt is one of only a few monarchists who show the same patience.

Known to some as "The Umbrella Man", he has appropriated a bench on the pavement opposite the entrance to the maternity wing of the hospital and decorated it with Union flags.

He rests his head on a Union Jack cushion. On one side of the bench he has pitched a small tent around which are scattered children's toys and more Union Jack paraphernalia. On the other side of the bench are posters and more flags.

Hutt, who has been an avid royalist all his life, wears a Union Jack umbrella hat.

From a plastic shopping bag he pulls out two cards - one to congratulate the royal couple on the arrival of a boy baby and another for the arrival of a girl.

He hopes to present a card to Kate and William after their baby is born.

"I know that William will be so proud. I am sure he will walk through that door 10-foot tall," Hutt said.

Would he prefer a girl or boy royal baby?

"I want a healthy baby. But if it's a girl I hope they name her after my granddaughter - Amber."

The chances of "Amber" being chosen are very slim.

Yesterday morning bookmakers William Hill were offering odds on the baby's naming.

The top girls' names are Alexandra (6/4), Charlotte (6/1) and Elizabeth (7/1).

The front-running boys' names are George (8/1), James (9/1) and Phillip (33/1).

John Loughrey, another monarchist waiting at the hospital, is hoping desperately for a girl. Clutching a baby-girl doll, he said he was sure Prince William wants a girl and that he would call her Elizabeth Diana.