World awaits royal baby in 2013

UNDATED (WHDH) -- Prince William and Duchess Kate already make news anytime they step foot in public, but now the attention will intensify as the United Kingdom awaits another heir to the throne.

This past year virtually every time Duchess Kate stepped outside, there was a photograph -- or hundreds -- to document it. No doubt she’s come a long way since that first nervous speech.

Kate now owns it. Her unique elegant style and her confidence, she mastered her first complicated Christmas with the royals, traveled as the Queen's companion, the jubilee, the Olympics, not afraid to handle events solo or kick back, even with the whole world watching. Her one embarrassment -- those photos as she sunbathed topless in France on what was supposed to be a private holiday with William, she quickly came through with a successful lawsuit, a brave face, and her trademark natural smile during their foreign tour in Asia.

But the year ahead will of course be even bigger for the couple that has become the face of the very essence of modern royalty, as they await their first child thought to be due around July or August.

Work is being done at a feverish pace at Kensington, the beautiful 400-year- old palace brimming with history, where William spent much of his childhood. This will be their new family home, expected to be ready in the spring.

Hopefully happy anticipation is outweighing the difficulties of the moment; Kate’s severe morning sickness requiring a hospital stay, may return, she'll need to be near medical care. William will have to work out his military schedule that keeps him away. More time together may be the royal start to a pivotal year, not just for queen and country, but for them.