Was Prince William in the room while Kate Middleton gave birth to the royal baby and did he attend George and Charlotte’s births?
THE Duchess of Cambridge was admitted to the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s hospital, in Paddington, when she went into labour at around 6am on the morning of April 23.
Kate delivered baby number three at 11.01, and speculation is rife about the details of the birth.
Was Prince William at the birth of baby number three?
Kate travelled to the hospital early on Monday morning, April 23, with her husband by her side.
The Duke and Duchess travelled together to the hospital, where press were eagerly awaiting news.
Kensington Palace confirmed he was present for the birth of his third child.
His new son was born at 11.01am weighing 8lb 7oz.
Was he there for the other two births?
The couple already have two children, Prince George, four, and Princess Charlotte, two.
With the birth of their first in 2013, Kate was in labour for around 11 hours and stayed overnight in hospital.
Prince George was born on July 22, 2013, and Prince William was there for the birth.
Kensington Palace sent a bulletin confirming the birth, which said: “The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4.24pm.
“The baby weighs 8lbs 6oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.
“Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well and will remain in hospital overnight.”
And following suit, the doting dad was also there for the birth of his second child.
Roughly three hours after Kate was admitted to hospital, she gave birth to Princess Charlotte on May 2 2015.
A statement from Kensington Palace said: “Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a daughter at 8.34am.
“The baby weighs 8lb 3oz.
“The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.”
What’s the royal custom?
Traditionally royals have given birth in their own homes, which for them means a palace or castle.
As far back as the 16th century, royal births were accompanied by a mass and a procession to the birthing venue.
The expectant mother was also expected to drink wine, and was confined to the birthing room until they had their baby – with Anne Boleyn reportedly staying for 12 days.
But this was usually a dark room, filled with tapestries and carpets, with little natural light or fresh air.
Over the years fears of people switching the baby or foul play led to hundreds of witnesses to royal births.
As many as 200 people would come to gawp at the royal in the middle of having a baby – all without painkillers.
Births were attended by ladies-in-waiting, midwives, servants and male courtiers.
Queen Victoria, who was herself born on the floor of Kensington Palace, eventually had enough of the charade.
Prior to her enforcing new rules in 1841, when she had ministers and privy counsellors at her births, but later decided the Home Secretary would suffice.
She is also credited with the introduction of chloroform for pain relief – when she had her eighth child in 1853.
Home secretaries attended royal births up until the birth of Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace, in 1948.
The Home Secretary attended the Queen’s birth in 1926, and she was born by caesarean at a private house, not a castle or palace.
The practice of having a Home Secretary present took place for the last time in 1926, when the Queen’s cousin, Princess Alexandra, was born.
Prince Charles was born in the Belgian Suite at the palace, which had been temporarily turned into a maternity ward, and was also used when she gave birth to Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
The Duke is said to have spent time in his study and played squash while the Queen endured the 30-hour labour.
The Duke is said to have just finished swimming in the palace pool when a footman came and announced the birth.
But he is said to be the first royal father present for a birth, after the Queen asked him in to the birthing room for their youngest, Prince Edward, in 1964.
Princess Diana broke protocol even further, being the first royal to have her baby in a hospital.
Prince William is likely to be the first King to born in a ward and not at home or in a palace or castle.
In 1982 the late Diana gave birth to Prince William at the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital, the same place Kate Middleton has her children.
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And Prince Charles was present for the birth, with Buckingham Palace saying in a statement: "The baby weighs 7lb 1/2oz. He cried lustily.
“The Prince of Wales was present. We have no names which we can announce at the moment.";
Prince Charles was also said to have been at the birth of his second son, Prince Harry, in 1984.
He reportedly stayed by his wife’s side as she endured labour.