Who knew? These 8 royal baby traditions are absolutely fascinating
With Kate Middleton due in April, we are amping up for the arrival of the next royal baby!
Certainly every family has their own unique traditions when it comes to welcoming a new family member, and the Royal family is no different.
We always love learning more about the fascinating customs of the House of Windsor! Here are eight strange royal baby traditions:
1) They used to require a witness to verify the birth.
When you think about it, it really makes sense! The royal family used to require a witness to ensure a royal birth was actually taking place. The British Home Secretary stood outside the delivery room door for the births of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret. The practice ceased after 1936, according to Mental Floss.
2) The birth is proclaimed on an easel in front of Buckingham Palace.
The document is on palace-headed paper and contains all the details of the child's birth, according to Hello! Magazine. The Royal family have announced births this way since 1837. Now, though, they also post to social media after the easel has been set out. Once the easel has been on display for 24 hours, it is removed.
4) A 62 gun salute fires at the Tower of London to celebrate the baby's arrival.
A basic salute is just 21 guns, but the arrival of a royal baby is no basic occasion! The 62 gun salute is reserved for 'special days', according to the Royal Household. The salute lasts for about 10 minutes.
5) Royal babies are given about three or four first names.
The Duke of Cambridge, for example, is named William Arthur Philip Louis and Prince Harry is Henry Charles Albert David.
6) The Queen must be one of the first people to hear about the birth.
Grannies need to know first! Queen Elizabeth II is informed of the happy news before the official birth announcement. William called her on a specially encrypted phone to inform her of Prince George's birth.
7) Non-royal grandparents were not allowed to have close relationships with their grandchildren.
Thankfully this is a custom that has changed with modern times, but in the past maternal grandparents were disregarded if they were not of royal lineage, according to Marie Claire.
8) Royal babies typically have about six godparents.
Prince William and Prince Harry each have six godparents, Time reports, while Prince George is lucky with seven godparents! Princess Charlotte was slightly shortchanged, with a mere five, according to Pop Sugar.
Did any of these facts surprise you, mums?
