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The birth of a royal baby has long been a cause for celebration, the child welcomed with great excitement by a waiting world.
For many of us, the tiny infant signifies hope – hope for the future – and is a symbol of continuity. Every detail of their development is pored over. The first tooth, the first step, the first word. The colour of the royal offspring’s hair and eyes are discussed, clothes are studied and copied. Even the names of the nannies make the news.
“If you are going to have a monarchy, you have got to have a family – and the family has got to be in the public eye,” is how Prince Philip rightly sees it. And, right now, all eyes are on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their new bundle of joy.
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The name announced
The latest royal baby came into the world a few days ago, weighing just over 3kg. He has been named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. These names weren’t at the top of the prediction lists, coming in after the likes of Alexander, Arthur, James, Philip and Spencer. Most expected the new-born’s name to honour the late Princess Diana in some way. But, it’s settled and Archie it is. Harry and Meghan have also said that they won’t use a title for their first born. No ‘Lord’ or ‘Earl’ here, but simply Master Archie.
And speaking of being in the public eye, there have already been speculations about where exactly little Archie was born. Did the Duchess of Sussex give birth at home in Frogmore Cottage, or was she whisked off to a private hospital in London the night before Archie was born? Every detail counts.
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Setting the trends
Royal babies are trend-setters from the off. When Princess Charlotte was carried out of the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London, the receiving blanket in which she was wrapped sold out in minutes. The brand, GH Hurt, monitored 100 000 people from 183 countries visiting their site in less than 24 hours. Incidentally, baby Archie was also first shown to the world wrapped in a white merino wool shawl from GH Hurt and already there are articles about the £105 garment and the brand the royals appear to love. Back in 2016, when Prince George greeted President Obama at Kensington Palace wearing a dressing gown from British brand My 1st Years, it sold out within minutes.
Royal births and babies have come a long way since the presence of the Home Secretary was deemed necessary to ensure that the baby wasn’t a changeling, but many things remain unchanged. A royal birth is still a comfort in a fast-changing world. And, we’re still going to obsess about every bit of royal baby news we receive. Stay tuned!
Compiled by Features Writer, Stephanie van der Plank
