Royal babies: the bizarre traditions behind palace doors

Royal babies: the bizarre traditions behind palace doors - The arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's third child on April 23 has been an exciting occasion for the royal family. But while the birth of a new baby is always a big event, when a royal baby enters the world, it comes surrounded by a whole host of traditional rules.

Click to discover them!

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It was normal to give birth at home - For centuries members of the royal family have been born at home. Queen Elizabeth II was born in a private house in London and later gave birth to Charles, Andrew and Edward at Buckingham Palace. Her daughter, Anne, entered the world in a house belonging to the royal family.

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Diana broke that tradition - William and Harry were born at St. Mary's hospital in London. This was the same for Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

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Birthing witness - Tradition demanded that a witness be present to the royal birth to confirm that a member of the royal family had been born. This custom ended before Prince Charles was born in 1948.

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Dad couldn't be there - It was not permitted for the father to be present during a royal birth, but this tradition also ended before Prince Charles was born.

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Royal education - Queen Elizabeth was tutored at home, but William and Kate have already started sending their children to school.

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Royal kids at school - Prince George started primary school in September 2017. He currently attends Thomas's Battersea School, a private school in London.

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Diana broke the tradition - Prince William was the first heir to the throne to attend a public school.

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Non-royal grandparents weren't included - In the past, royal children were prevented from having a close relationship with their non-royal grandparents. But this has changed in recent times.

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Clothes for the first public appearance - The mother's clothes are chosen carefully for the first appearance after the birth. Kate wore a blue polka dot dress after the birth of Prince George in tribute to Princess Diana, who wore a similar dress after the birth of Prince William.

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Midwives are usually present - At Princess Charlotte's birth there would have been three midwives present who were sworn to secrecy.

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The announcement of the birth is revealed on an easel in front of Buckingham palace - Despite this tradition, Prince George's birth was actually announced on Twitter first, and later displayed on the easel.

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The announcement used to be written by hand, now it is typed - Doctors at the hospital signed the document and this was transported by car to the Palace.

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Surge to see the announcement - A crowd amasses outside Buckingham Palace to see the document up close.

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Gun salute - A gun salute at the Tower of London is set off when the baby is born. This is done as a sign of respect and also as a symbol of welcome.

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New gun salute - Another gun salute is given at Green Park, next to Buckingham Palace.

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Royal babies usually have three or four names - Prince George's full name is George Alexander Louis. Princess Charlotte's is Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. What will the Cambridge's newborn son be called?

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Royal babies don't need a surname - Up until the beginning of the 20th century royal babies had no surname. Their last name was the name of the county they governed.

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But if they do have one they will use this at school - Prince George is known as George Cambridge.

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Royal babies also have an official title - The correct way of referring to George and Charlotte is Prince or Princess, followed by their name and then Cambridge at the end.

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Announcement of the birth - A court official makes the announcement of the birth.

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The Queen must be one of the first to know about the birth - Before the announcement is made official, the Queen will have been informed.

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It was only male heirs who were in line for the throne - However this tradition was changed to include female heirs in 2013. The newest royal baby will be the first male heir not to overtake his older sister in line to the throne.

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Official royal gynaecologist - Sir Marcus Setchell (in the blue tie) delayed his retirement in order to deliver Prince George. He was also the Queen's gynecologist. Prince Charlotte and the newest Prince of Cambridge were delivered by consultant gynecologist Alan Farthing and consultant obstetrician Guy Thorpe-Beeston.

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Breastfeeding is normal for royal mothers - Both the Queen and Princess Diana breastfed their children. Kate has allegedly done the same with hers although there is no official confirmation.

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But breastfeeding was not always viewed in the same way - According to The Telegraph, Queen Victoria thought that breastfeeding was repugnant and the cause of the ruin of young intellectuals.

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Baby names don't have to be revealed immediately - Prince Charles and Princess Diana announced Harry's name on the day they left the hospital with him. In the case of Prince William, his name was only announced some days after his birth. This was the same for Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and is likely to be the case for their new baby brother.

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Paternity leave - Prince William had rights to unpaid paternity leave from the Royal Air Force after the births of Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

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Royal children have pets - It's usual for children of the royal family to have pets. Prince William had a pony when he was a child.

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Presents from around the world - It is also normal for the leaders from various countries to send offerings to the newborn. When Prince George was born in 2013, he received about 610 non-official gifts which were displayed in an exhibition in Buckingham Palace.

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Cloth diapers ?! - Royal babies tended to use diapers made from cloth, but Prince William was the first to break this tradition, when Princess Diana decided to use disposable ones.

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Royal children must attend the 'Trooping the Colour' - The traditional ceremony is also known as the official celebration of the Queen's birthday. All members of the family gather on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the Royal Air Force fly overhead.

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Royal births are announced after 12 weeks of pregnancy - However, Kate Middleton was an exception to this rule. When she was absent from an official event the rumors began immediately.

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The baby's sex is only revealed after birth - There are rumors that William and Kate only discovered the gender of their first child after he was born.

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Nannies always help look after royal babies - Royal nannies learn a bit of everything, from defensive driving, through to safety protocols and even Taekwondo. Maria Borrallo, pictured, is currently George and Charlotte's nanny.

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Royal babies are baptized some weeks after their birth - This is generally when they will make their first public appearance.

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Christenings are carried out by the head of the church of England - In the past few years Archbishop Justin Welby has been responsible for the baptisms.

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The press are not permitted at christenings - However, in the case of Princess Charlotte, the royal family allowed the public to take selfies.

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Royal babies usually have six godparents - Prince George has seven godparents and Princess Charlotte five. The list of potential godparents to the new baby Prince is already being speculated on!

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Family members aren't godparents - This obviously includes close family, meaning that Harry is not and will not be godfather to any of William and Kate's children.

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