Kate Middleton will be taking maternity leave beginning June 14 to prepare for the birth of the royal baby, due in July.

The duchess tried to push the date of her maternity leave for as late as possible.

"Kate has really enjoyed her job and wanted to work as close to the birth date as possible," a source said on Sunday, according to U.K.'s Mirror News.

The source added that Middleton is anxious to return to her job after the birth.

"She takes her royal role very seriously and is looking forward to taking up her duties when her maternity leave has finished," said the insider.

The duchess will make her last public appearance on June 13, when she names the Princess Cruise Ship. Performing at this ceremony will be the Royal Marines Band and the pipers of the Irish Guards, according to the report.

Past royal figures have taken time off when they were expecting. Princess Diana took Prince William with her on a royal tour to Australia when he was eight months old in March 1983, going against royal tradition.

The Queen as a child was been left in England with her nanny while her parents went abroad, sometimes for up to several weeks. It has not been confirmed if the current duke and duchess  plan to leave their baby and take to traveling.

The royal baby may not be seen until 2014, according to the report.

Tags: kate middleton pregnancy princess cruise ship Princess Diana