Mum-to-be Kate Middleton – a mumpreneur to look up to?

Mumpreneurs everywhere could soon be looking to Kate Middleton for inspiration, after she and husband Prince William announced they are expecting a baby, ending months of speculation.

“Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby,” St. James Palace said in a statement released Tuesday.

“The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry and members of both families are delighted with the news.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron has also expressed his excitement, describing the announcement as “absolutely wonderful news”.

As William and Kate anticipate parenthood, perhaps there’s another role Kate will be preparing for, given her diverse business experience.

StartupSmart highlights three areas of business Kate could break into:

1. Baby showers

Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton, founded a party supplies business called Party Pieces in 1987 after finding it difficult to source fun, simple party products for her children’s parties.

Today, Party Pieces has an estimated worth of £30 million.

Meanwhile, Kate’s sister Pippa has written a step-by-step guide on “everything about parties”, published in her online magazine The Party Times, which is an offshoot of Party Pieces.

So perhaps there’s an opportunity for Kate to get it on the action, particularly as she’s already worked for the business as a catalogue photographer, webpage designer and marketing officer.

2. Fashion and jewellery

In November 2006, Kate accepted a position as an accessory buyer with clothing chain Jigsaw, which has more than 40 stores across the United Kingdom.

In 2007, Middleton worked with jeweler Claudia Bradby to create a silver pendant for the chain.

“It was completely her initiative because she thought there was a gap in the market for something real and sophisticated that had longevity for that age group,” Bradby told People.

“Kate was very clear in what she wanted.”

Now that Kate is set to become a mum, perhaps she’ll introduce her own line of fashion or jewellery for young mothers.

3. Social enterprise

Kate is often photographed attending functions for charities, suggesting she will take a similarly hands-on approach to such duties as the late Princess Diana.

Prince William and Prince Harry have changed the name of their personal charity to include Kate’s name as a way of reflecting her active involvement.

And in January, Kate became a patron of four additional charities – Action On Addiction, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, the Art Room and the National Portrait Gallery.

She also became a volunteer in the Scout Association.

Once Kate has a family of her own, perhaps she will devote even more of her energy to social causes, particularly those that affect children.