The birth of any child is an intensely emotional, transforming, and private event. A new life enters the world and in so doing, serves to cement the relationship between the parents. But when the child you are giving birth to is a celebrity even before it is born, and an heir to the British Crown to boot, there are a whole lot more adjectives that are attached to the occasion.
Whenever a member of the Royal Family gives birth to a potential future monarch, there is a whole set of rules, traditions, and protocols that may not be eschewed just because of personal preference. No matter what the mother-to-be would like to do, there are certain things that have been written in stone for generations and, even though it IS a modern age, the royal protocol must take precedence.
They dictate everything from where the child will be born to how the arrival is announced. There is also a rule about who will see the baby first and where the father belongs during the birthing process.
Here are five surprisingly weird rules that, according to The New York Post, the Duchess of Cambridge will be held to when Baby Cambridge number three makes his debut next month:
1. Home births are preferred
"As is tradition, the Queen gave birth to all of her children in Buckingham Palace. Princess Diana broke this rule and gave birth to sons Prince Harry and Prince William at London's St. Mary's Hospital in the private Lindo Wing. Kate had her first two children at this hospital but is believed to be delivering her third baby at home in Kensington Palace.
2. The Queen has to be the first to know
"The Queen must be told a child has been born into the royal family before the news is announced publicly. It's reported that Prince William rang his grandmother on an encrypted phone when Prince George was born. Traditionally, the announcement has always been on an easel outside Buckingham Palace. Kate and William broke this protocol and announced it on Twitter with Prince George.
3. The town crier announces the news to the public
"Town crier Tony Appleton announced the births of both Prince George and Princess Charlotte. This custom harks back to medieval times when people couldn't read or write.
4. Dads are banned from the birthing room
Giving birth is considered a female-only event and fathers are not allowed in the delivery room. This rule is believed to have been relaxed after the birth of Prince Charles.
5. Midwives are sworn to secrecy
Midwives are not allowed to disclose any information about the birth. It's believed Kate Middleton had three midwives with her during the birth of Princess Charlotte.
As strange as these rules seem to most of us who have had quite different birthing experiences, the reasons for them have their roots in the historical necessity to make sure that the child who is born is a true and rightful heir.
Regardless of the rules the Duke and Duchess follow or decide to flout, the whole world is waiting with bated breath for the arrival of their third little darling.
And no matter how he or she makes her appearance, we are quite certain that William and Kate will be delighted, smitten, and immensely proud of their new son or daughter.
