On 23 April 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed their third child, Prince Louis, into the world weighing 8lbs and 7oz or 3.8kg when he was born at 11.01hrs.
Kensington Palace announced the news on Twitter.
“Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son,” with the post also confirming that the Duke was present for the birth.
Like the Duke and Duchess’s older children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis was born at the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, west London.
Embed from Getty ImagesPrince George was born in the wing in 2013, and Princess Charlotte was born in 2015. The Cambridge births are not the first royal births for the hospital, as Prince William and his brother Prince Harry were both born at the hospital in the 1980s.
As with tradition for royal births, a framed notice was displayed at Buckingham Palace on the forecourt announcing the birth of the Prince who at the time, was not yet named. The notice sat on display for 24 hours before being sent to the Privy Council Office. There, the details were recorded for the Privy Council records.
Meeting their new brother
Perhaps one of the most memorable moments of Prince Louis’ birth was when his brother and sister went to visit their new brother.
Embed from Getty ImagesGeorge arrived in his school uniform while Charlotte wore a floral dress with a jumper. Both children held on to William’s hands as they made the walk from their car to the Lindo Wing. Charlotte famously gave the crowd a wave as the family entered the hospital.
Prince Louis is introduced to the world
Just before 6 p.m. local time, the Duke and Duchess emerged on the steps of the Lindo Wing to introduce the Prince to the world. The Duchess wore a striking red dress as the couple waved to well-wishers. Louis appeared to be sleeping at the time as he was wrapped in a white blanket and was wearing a white hat.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe birth came just weeks before the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel in Windsor as well as just days before William and Kate would celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary on 29 April. Another celebration for the family would be just weeks away as Princess Charlotte would turn three on 2 May.
Her Majesty’s birthday is just a few days prior on 21 April.
Announcing the Prince’s name
It would be several days before the Duke and Duchess would announce their new child’s name. On 27 April, Kensington Palace issued a statement to announce the little royal’s name.
“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their son Louis Arthur Charles.
“The baby will be known as His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge.”
Bookmarkers celebrated the news as Louis had been 10th in terms of bets placed, with odds as long as 20/1. However, the name would catch bookies and punters by surprise as it is one of Prince George’s middle names leading many to believe that it would not be the frontrunner for the Prince’s name.
The name chosen would be representative of several notable figures in the Royal Family’s history.
Lord Louis Mountbatten was Prince Charles’s beloved great-uncle. Prince Louis of Battenberg was the Duke of Edinburgh’s grandfather.
The three names that make up the Prince’s names are popular choices that are often recycled by the Royal Family. Prince Charles full name is Charles Philip Arthur George, while Prince William’s full name is William Arthur Philip Louis. Prince George takes on the full name of George Alexander Louis.
In contrast, Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s names were released just two days after their births while Prince William’s name would not be made public for several days.
Historically, royal names are not usually announced for several days with the exception first being seen with Prince Harry’s birth in 1984. The day after he left the hospital, it was announced that he would be called Henry Charles Albert David but that he would be known as Harry.
As for Prince Charles, his name was revealed one month after he was born. His name was announced ahead of his christening at Buckingham Palace in December of 1948.
Embed from Getty ImagesAs a courtesy, The Queen is told the child’s name before it’s publicly announced.
Making history
Louis would become The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s sixth great-grandchild. Louis is now fifth in line to the British throne following his siblings.
The birth of the new Prince would mark a significant historical moment for Charlotte who became the first Princess not overtaken in the line of succession by a younger brother.
Embed from Getty ImagesBefore the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, Louis would have jumped above his older sister when it came to being in line for the throne. However, the act means that a female’s claim to the royal throne can no longer be diminished by a younger male sibling.
Celebration
While the world awaited news of the Duchess going into labour, some royal supporters had been camped outside for two whole weeks by the time the Duchess had officially gone into labour.
Embed from Getty ImagesSome supporters stood in front of a make-shift camp that included royal memorabilia and a Union Flag tent. Parked outside of the Lindo Wing, they too wanted to be there as Louis was revealed to the world.
Blackpool Zoo immediately announced that it’s newest member, a double-humped Bactrian camel calf would be named Louis in celebration. The calf was also born the same day as the Prince.
Marking Louis’s birth, a large Union Flag was raised over Buckingham Palace and a State Standard over Windsor Castle.
Gun salutes were fired at Hyde Park and the Tower of London the day following the birth.
The bells were also rung at Westminster Abbey. According to the Abbey’s website, the bells are rung for major church festivals, saints’ days, royal and Abbey anniversaries as well as civic events and special services.
Ringing takes place at the end of a service except when a monarch is in attendance. In that case, the bells are also rung beforehand.
Initial pregnancy announcement
Just one month after joking about having “more kids” while on a royal tour in Prague, Kensington Palace confirmed that the couple was expecting their third child.
“Their Royal Highness The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child.
“The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news.”
The announcement would also reveal that the Duchess was once again suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, an acute form of morning sickness – something the Duchess was noted to have in her previous pregnancies.
Will there be another baby Cambridge?
During a visit to Bradford earlier this year, Kate had chatted with locals about the possibility of having another baby.
During a chat with Josh Macpalce, he had told the Duchess that he had sent cards congratulating the couple on the births of all three of their children. To which the Duchess replied, “I don’t think William wants any more.”
Those at Royal Central are wishing Prince Louis a very happy birthday.
