Naturally, Kate Middleton opted out of Britain’s “world class” National Health Service for the delivery of her baby. According to the Daily Express, a suite at the private Lindo Wing of London’s St. Mary’s hospital costs £6,265 per night — and this “excludes consultants’ fees.” Middleton’s total bill is expected to come to around £12,000 ($18,500).
A poll conducted by ICM revealed that “37 per cent of the British public think that she should be having her firstborn on the National Health Service, believing it would send a powerful symbol if the new third in line to the throne was a child of the NHS.” Meanwhile, 43 percent supported the Duchess’s decision. When Britain’s two religions — socialized medicine and the Royal Family – come into conflict, the winner is anybody’s guess.
How odd, though, that the Royal Family wouldn’t elect to use a system that was featured so prominently in Britain’s “national story” during the opening ceremony of last year’s Olympics. It’s almost as if it’s not up to scratch.