Why Kate Middleton wants to go home for her baby's birth Kate's labour will be overseen by Alan Farthing, the Queen's surgeon-gynaecologist. The former fiancé of the murdered BBC television presenter, Jill Dando, Farthing will be assisted by his predecessor, Marcus Setchell. Farthing has a private Harley Street practice and works as a consultant at two teaching hospitals in London, Queen Charlotte's in Hammersmith and St Mary's. However, he and Setchell will go wherever the couple choose. The Duchess's experience of hospitals recommended by the Royal family has not been entirely happy. While she was being treated for severe morning sickness at the private King Edward VII Hospital, in Marylebone, members of staff fell victim to prank callers from Australia. Jacintha Saldanha, the nurse who put through the call from two radio presenters pretending to be the Queen and the Prince of Wales, killed herself days later. However, friends insist that the tragedy is not a factor in the Duchess's plans. Last weekend, it was reported that Kate intended to live at her parents house in Bucklebury for at least the first six weeks after the birth, which is due in July. Their London residence at Kensington Palace is not expected to be ready until at least September or October. Asbestos has been discovered in the former apartments of Princess Margaret, which has to be cleared before the couple themselves, let alone a new-born child, can set foot inside. The Middletons have plenty of space to accommodate the couple. Last May, Mandrake disclosed that they were interested in buying a Grade II-listed Georgian manor house in their village. They subsequently paid £4.85 million for the seven-bedroom property, which gives the family much more privacy than they enjoyed at their previous, five-bed, house. Last December, this column reported that Prince William and Kate would spend Christmas Day with the Middletons. St James's Palace confirmed the news six days later. A spokesman says an announcement about where the Duchess plans to give birth will be made "in due course."