50 Royal Baby Traditions You Had No Idea Existed
They usually have six (!) godparents.
It's not every day a royal baby is born, so naturally when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced they were expecting baby number three (!!!), we just couldn't contain our excitement. After guessing baby names and trying to figure out the due date, we decided to dig a bit deeper into what really happens when a royal baby arrives. Ahead, 50 royal baby traditions (both new and old) you had no idea existed.
At-home births used to be the norm.
For decades the royals gave birth at home. Queen Elizabeth II was born at a private family home in London and gave birth to her sons Charles, Andrew, and Edward at Buckingham Palace. Her daughter Princess Anne was born at another royal property called the Clarence House.
However, Princess Diana started a new birthing tradition.
Both Prince William and Harry were born at St. Mary's Hospital in the private Lindo Wing. Kate Middleton gave birth to Prince George and Princess Charlotte here as well. Though it's reported that Kate Middleton is thinking about switching up the tradition and giving birth to her third child at home.
A witness used to be required in the delivery room.
When the Queen was born in 1926, the home secretary was present in the delivery room. The centuries-old tradition required someone to be present to confirm a a royal birth was actually happening. The custom ended before the birth of Prince Charles in 1948.
And up until the birth of Prince Charles, fathers were not allowed in the delivery room.
For centuries, birthing was known as an all-female event and the males would remain outside of the delivery room.
Royal babies used to be typically homeschooled.
Queen Elizabeth herself was homeschooled. However, the Duchess and Duke of Cambridge have chosen to enroll Prince George and Princess Charlotte in school—starting in 2016 with Prince George's nursery school, the Westacre Montessori School in Norfolk, England.
Public schools are typically unheard of.
Prince George recently started primary school at Thomas's Battersea School, an elite private school in London. Prince William and Prince Harry both attended private school growing up.
Princess Diana was first to break this "no public school" tradition.
Prince William became the first heir to the throne to attend public school.
Non-royal grandparents were often disregarded.
However, this has changed with modern times. In the past royal children were often prevented from having a close relationship with their maternal grandparents if they didn't descend from British royalty.
The mother's clothes are carefully chosen in her first public appearance post-birth.
Kate Middleton mirrored a similar polka-dot dress to Princess Diana after giving birth to Prince George. It's considered a sign of respect and tribute to the late Princess.
Midwives are typically present for the births.
It's reported Kate Middleton had three midwives accompany her during the birth of Princess Charlotte—all of whom were sworn to secrecy.
The birth announcement is displayed on an easel in front of Buckingham Palace.
However, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose to announce Prince George's birth via email and Twitter before the easel had been posted—seemingly breaking tradition.
The announcement used to be handwritten, but now it's typed.
The doctors at the hospital sign it and then it's delivered back to the palace by car.
People line up outside of the palace to see the easel in-person.
We totally would too.
When the baby is born, there's a 62-gun salute from the Tower of London.
According to the Royal Parks, it's given as a sign of respect or welcome upon various important royal occasions.
There's also a 41-gun salute from Green Park.
And it's located near Buckingham Palace.
Royal babies typically have three to four first names.
Prince George's full name is George Alexander Lewis and Princess Charlotte's full name is Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Prince William's full name is William Arthur Philip Louis.
They usually combine names of previous monarchs and relatives.
People are already predicting baby #3 names.
Royal babies don't require a surname.
Up until the early 20th century, royal babies actually had no last name at all. Instead, they were known by the names of the county of which they ruled.
But if they do have one, they go by one surname in school.
This year, Prince George will simply be known as George Cambridge.
Royal babies also have an ~official~ title.
The correct title when referring to the royal baby is His or Her Royal Highness Prince or Princess (name) of Cambridge.
Rachel Epstein is the Deputy Editor at Men's Health, where she oversees, edits, and assigns content across MensHealth.com. She previously held roles at Marie Claire and Coveteur. Offline, she's likely watching a Heat game or finding a new coffee shop.
Princess Beatrice Wears Florals for Spring
Jamaica Plans to Remove Charles as Head of State
See King Frederik & Queen Mary's Gala Portraits
Who Received American Riviera Orchard Jam?
