7 of the most odd royal rules Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Kate had to follow
When a new royal enters the world, there's hundreds of years of tradition that members of The Firm often have to follow. Throughout history, from Queen Elizabeth to Princess Catherine, royals have followed the palace protocols when it comes to the birth of their babies. The traditions cover everything from announcing the birth to the public, picking a suitable name and even what happens in the delivery room itself. Modern royal mothers such as Princess Catherine have reshaped tradition, but both she and the late Queen Elizabeth II had to navigate a series of protocols when bringing future monarchs into the world. Here are seven of the most unusual childbirth rules royal mothers have had to follow.
TL;DR
- The palace announces a pregnancy and due month, but the baby's gender and exact due date are kept private until after birth.
- Royal babies are typically given three or four traditional names, often with historical family significance.
- The Queen historically approved the names of royal babies closest in the line of succession.
- The birth of a royal baby is traditionally announced by a town crier, a role dating back to medieval times.
- A modern official announcement includes a printed statement at Buckingham Palace, often displayed on an easel with the baby's details and signed by the medical team.
- Military gun salutes are fired across the UK, including at Hyde Park, Green Park, and the Tower of London, to mark new royal births.