As we anticipate the next royal birth we’ve taken a look at some of the traditions which will commence once the new baby arrives. After all, the Royals are well-known for abiding by traditions, and there is a considerable amount when it comes to celebrating a birth.
So, if you’re looking to add a little more pomp and circumstance to your bundle of joys arrival, here are few ideas you can adopt to make the special moments feel all the more memorable.
Just when you thought choosing a first and middle name for your new baby was hard enough, the Royals take it a step further by giving their children a total of three names. This is intended to not only honour family members, but also to give their children the option of a suitable monarch's name should they become king or queen. For example, Prince George’s full name is George Alexander Louis, and Prince Charlotte’s is Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.
If you’re struggling with names just make a like a royal and choose them all!
While you may not be lucky enough to receive a 41 gun salute and a town crier announcing your bundle of joys arrival into the world, that first appearance will still feel like a spotlight moment that you will want to cherish.
As tradition goes, once the royal baby is ready to go home, the couple step out and show them to the world. The front steps of St Mary’s Hospital in London have been the pinnacle image of many royal births, and you can begin this tradition for yourself.
Having a photograph leaving the hospital can become a treasured memory and one which will be talked about for years to come.
The royals follow an age-old tradition of a family Christening. A small and very select group of family members and friends are invited to the ceremony, making it an intimate affair that the media are not privy to.
As well as the religious ceremony itself, the Royals also keep with tradition by always clothing the baby in a christening gown which has been handed down through all the generations.
The gown which Prince George wore on his christening had been worn by 62 royal babies previous to him. The Honiton lace gown was originally created for Queen Victoria’s children and has since been used for all Windsor children since 1841.
If you’re lucky enough to have a gown still in the family, it’s a great way to re-invigorate the garment and continue a family tradition that will last the ages.
While many newborns are given a pair of godparents, royal babies have been known to have far more. For example, Prince George has seven godparents.
Choosing godparents can be quite the tiresome task, so why not instead make like a royal and select more than a handful of your nearest and dearest to watch over the little one.
Once the family Christening is over, the Royals are well-known to stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace and present the new heir to the public.
But while you may not have quite the same following as the royal family, having a separate introduction to other friends and relatives is a great way to present the new family member and get all those introductions done and dusted.
As a new parent, it can be exhausting having excited friends wanting to pop over, so by having one big celebration it can greatly ease the overwhelming requests.
Holding an afternoon tea, or a bbq can be a great way to introduce the little cherub, and ensure you can get your rest and relaxation once it’s all over.