A Look Back On Royal Baby Announcements

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal baby is next to arrive!

By: Alexa Lisitza

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Royal Baby Announcements in Recent History

Prince William and Kate Middleton were the first royals to utilize Instagram and Twitter to announce the birth of their children, leaving many to question how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will announce the arrival of their newborn. Whether they use the official Kensington account or their own, the method is sure to deviate from past traditions. From announcements made via telegram to town criers, take a look back at these official royal baby declarations.

Prince Charles

Born: November 14, 1948 to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip

Queen Elizabeth – who was then Princess Elizabeth – held her newborn baby, Prince Charles, at his Christening. Announcements about the heir’s birth in Buckingham Palace were sent out by royal telegram.

Prince William

Born: June 21, 1982 to Prince Charles and Princess Diana

Prince William was the first royal born in a hospital. News of his arrival stemmed from a proclamation that was signed by doctors and then spread by a spokesperson from Buckingham Palace.

Prince Harry

Born: September 15, 1984 to Prince Charles and Princess Diana

Prince Harry was also born in a hospital, but news of his birth was instead spread by a television crewman who announced, “It’s a boy!” to a crowd waiting outside. The birth was later confirmed by an official proclamation that was placed outside of Buckingham Palace.

Princess Beatrice

Born: August 8, 1988 to Prince Andrew and Sara Ferguson

Princess Beatrice’s birth was announced by way of a Buckingham Palace decree through a spokesperson. Her mother, Sara Ferguson, chose a similar path as Princess Diana and opted to give birth in a hospital, and Princess Beatrice’s name was confirmed two weeks later.

Princess Eugenie

Born: March 23, 1990: to Prince Andrew and Sara Ferguson

Just like her sister, Princess Eugenie was born at Portland Hospital. Unlike her sister, though, the announcement of her name took half of the time and was made official a week after her birth.

Prince George

Born: July 22, 2013 to Prince William and Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton and Prince William stalled the announcement of Prince George’s birth for four hours. It’s suspected that the couple wanted to savor their first moments of parenthood in private before letting the world in. An easel with the official announcement was placed outside of Buckingham palace later that day.

Princess Charlotte

Born: May 2, 2015 to Prince William and Kate Middleton

Prince William and Kate Middleton took a giant royal step into the future by announcing Princess Charlotte’s birth on Twitter with the palace’s new handle @KensingtonPalace.

Prince Louis

Born: April 23, 2018 to Prince William and Kate Middleton

Continuing their leverage of technology, Prince William and Kate Middleton announced the birth of their third child, Prince Louis, on Instagram. The post featured a photo of the official decree placed on an easel outside of Buckingham Palace.