Major role Prince William could be given as new baby is set to join aristocratic family

Prince William could be given a new major role as a close family friend is expected to welcome a child in just a few months.

Earlier this week on Wednesday (12 March), Hugh and Olivia Grosvenor - otherwise known as the Duke and Duchess of Westminster - announced the news that they are expecting their first child together.

A spokesperson for the high-profile couple told the media in a statement: "The Duke and Duchess of Westminster are very pleased to share that the Duchess is expecting a baby in the summer."

Prince William could be given a major new role in a few months' time this summer (Samir Hussein / Contributor / Getty Images)

The statement continued: "The couple are delighted with the news and are very much looking forward to starting a family together."

Many fans of the royal family have already predicted that William might be the child's godfather, being that he and his brother Prince Harry grew up close to Hugh - who is, in turn, the godfather of their two sons, Prince George and Prince Archie with some rushing to social media to share their speculation with one X user wondering: "Do you think Prince William will be a Godfather? I’m sure he will be…"

Hugh is also the godson of King Charles III, and his mother, Natalia, is godmother to William.

He and and Olivia - who reportedly met through friends - wed at Chester Cathedral in June of last year, where the Prince of Wales served as one of his ushers.

The Duke and Duchess of Westminster are expecting their first child together later this summer (Max Mumby/Indigo / Contributor / Getty Images)

Talking of William, the royal recently made a public appearance earlier this week on Tuesday (11 March) at a referee training course as part of a campaign to recruit more people from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds into refereeing roles.

And, during the event, it's clear he didn't hold back on his response about going bald.

William, who is patron of the Football Association, visited the course at Sporting Khalsa FC in Willenhall in the West Midlands just one day after his appearance at the Commonwealth Day service in London alongside his wife, Kate Middleton.

One clip from the walk-through, which is making its rounds on social media shows William greeting a number of people, including one woman who was sporting a bright red pixie cut - something which clearly caught his attention.

"Look at your hair! It’s fantastic," William said to the woman before playfully teasing: "Wish I had hair like that.

"I know, I’ve not a chance!"