There are few things so hotly anticipated as a royal baby, and even with two fairly recent additions to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s household, public excitement and enthusiasm showed no signs of waning at the news of a third.
So what do we know so far about Kate Middleton and Prince William’s latest little one?
Well, he’s called Louis, which is pronounced Louis (with an E, as opposed to an S), and he’s fifth in line to the throne. But there’s more!
When was the third royal baby born, and when was Kate Middleton’s pregnancy announced?
Kensington Palace gave the closest hint to the royal baby’s due date, when they confirmed Kate would be having another Spring baby, due in April 2018.
The good news was officially announced to the world on Monday, September 4, 2017, unusually less than 12 weeks into Kate Middleton’s pregnancy.
As has been necessary in her previous two pregnancies, the announcement was made earlier than is customary, owing to Kate suffering from extreme morning sickness.
Otherwise known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum, the condition can be extremely debilitating for some women, and caused the Duchess to have to cancel upcoming public engagements.
Prince Louis of Cambridge was born on April 23, 2018, at St Mary’s Hospital in London, the same location the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to Charlotte and George.
When were the first and second royal babies born? What are their names?
George Alexander Louis, otherwise known as Prince George of Cambridge, made his grand entrance to the world and life in the public eye, on Monday July 22, 2013.
Third in line to the throne, he is Queen Elizabeth’s third great-grandchild.
Less than two years later, Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana was welcomed into the royal family on Saturday May 2, 2015.
Her second middle name is a poignant tribute to her late grandmother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
Additionally, a change in royal succession rules, made before George’s birth, makes her fourth in line to the throne.
Where were the royal babies born?
Like their father William, and his brother Prince Harry, George and Charlotte were born in the private Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s NHS Hospital in Paddington.
In celebration of George’s birth, the hospital presented a commemorative gift to every baby born in the hospital the same day.
To mark Charlotte’s birth, the next baby born after her at St. Mary’s was given a hand-knitted shawl.
How old are Prince George and Princess Charlotte?
Prince George is now four years old. In September 2017, he started Primary school.
Princess Charlotte, following her brother less than two years later, is two years old.
If their new sibling arrives in April 2018, as anticipated, they won’t yet have celebrated their next birthdays by the time they welcome him or her.
When were the first two pregnancies announced?
The Duchess of Cambridge was admitted to hospital for an overnight stay early-on in her first pregnancy, due to suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum.
This prompted the royal couple to bring forward the breaking of the news, with the official announcement made by Clarence House on Monday December 3, 2012.
The Duchess suffered similarly with Hyperemesis during her pregnancy with Charlotte, forcing her to miss several official engagements. This, again, prompted an early announcement on Monday 8 September 2014.
What are the traditions when a royal baby is born?
As with most royal occasions, the arrival of a new member of the royal family is met with excitement, ceremonies and celebrations.
One of the most notable traditions followed is the official announcement of the birth. Upon the baby’s arrival, the details of the birth are typed onto royal letterheaded paper, then signed by the present medical staff.
This letter states the time of birth and the gender of the baby. The document is then taken by a car with a police escort to Buckingham Palace. Once it arrives, the notice is displayed behind the palace gates on an ornate golden easel.
In the days following the birth, gun salutes ring out in royal parks, and bells are pealed in celebration, sometimes for up to three hours.
In more recent times, various landmarks in the capital, such as Tower Bridge and The London Eye have been illuminated in blue or pink after the announcements.
The Royal Mint also began a new tradition in 2013, when a commemorative coin was created to celebrate the birth of Prince George. They struck a new collectible coin once again in 2015 for the arrival of Princess Charlotte.
It’s likely Royal Mint will maintain this tradition and release a new coin in 2018 in celebration of the new royal arrival.
And it turns out he longs proper cool in hand-me-downs.
