From the day that Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, announced that they were expecting their first child, they have been the center of media attention. Daily photos of the “baby bump” and speculation about gender were topics of news articles, television media outlets, magazines, and the Internet. Finally, the royal baby has arrived.
Each day has brought news of the royal pregnancy. At one point, Kate was too thin. At another, some speculated that she wasn’t even pregnant. When the “baby bump” began to show, people wondered when it would arrive and whether Kate would give birth with her extraordinary grace.
The height of the Bump Watch was the brief comparison between Kim Kardashian and Kate Middleton. There was a lot of Kim-bashing because she carried the baby differently and gained weight all over – not just in her abdomen. Of course we know that women’s bodies are all different during pregnancy, but because these two very different women had close due dates for their babies, they were the targets. It does seem a bit unfair to compare a reality show queen with a rap star boyfriend to British Royalty, but apparently that is the nature of Entertainment news.
Will and Kate’s baby finally made his spectacularly normal entrance into the world at 4:24 P.M. on July 22, 2013, about a week overdue. The healthy baby boy weighed in at 8 lb 6 oz. Newspapers, magazines, and websites screamed headlines about the birth of the latest in line for the throne. He even received the traditional Tower of London 62 Gun Salute.
The baby came home from St. Mary’s Hospital on July 24, to spend the first night at home without a nanny. Prince William allegedly bragged that he had changed a diaper. And the world watched him install the baby’s car seat for his ride home. First visitors included Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth.
While many royals wait as long as a week to name their heirs, Will and Kate waited only two days. The baby’s name was finally announced on Wednesday, July 24: George Alexander Louis. He will formally be known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge. He is third in line for the Throne, after Prince Charles and Prince William.
Stretching out the drama, media outlets are comparing Kate to Will’s mother, Princess Diana of Wales, after she gave birth to William. Even the Muppets have joined in the royal frenzy with a video from the London set of their latest movie. Kermit and Miss Piggy offered congratulations to the royal family from the cast and crew.
And don’t forget Prince Harry. He has taken on the role of uncle in his usual joking manner. He has vowed to make sure George has fun. With all of his other needs cared for by a host of family and caregivers, it’s a good thing George has an uncle who is willing to take on one of the most important parts of a child’s upbringing.
