50 Royal Baby Traditions You Had No Idea Existed

For decades the royals gave birth at home. Queen Elizabeth II was born at a private family home in London and gave birth to her sons Charles, Andrew, and Edward at Buckingham Palace. Her daughter Princess Anne was born at another royal property called the Clarence House. 

Both Prince William and Harry were born at St. Mary's Hospital in the private Lindo Wing. Kate Middleton gave birth to Prince George and Princess Charlotte here as well. Though it's reported that Kate Middleton is thinking about switching up the tradition and giving birth to her third child at home. 

When the Queen was born in 1926, the home secretary was present in the delivery room. The centuries-old tradition required someone to be present to confirm a a royal birth was actually happening. The custom ended before the birth of Prince Charles in 1948.

For centuries, birthing was known as an all-female event and the males would remain outside of the delivery room. 

Queen Elizabeth herself was homeschooled. However, the Duchess and Duke of Cambridge have chosen to enroll Prince George and Princess Charlotte in school—starting in 2016 with Prince George's nursery school, the Westacre Montessori School in Norfolk, England. 

Prince George recently started primary school at Thomas's Battersea School, an elite private school in London. Prince William and Prince Harry both attended private school growing up. 

Prince William became the first heir to the throne to attend public school. 

However, this has changed with modern times. In the past royal children were often prevented from having a close relationship with their maternal grandparents if they didn't descend from British royalty. 

Kate Middleton mirrored a similar polka-dot dress to Princess Diana after giving birth to Prince George. It's considered a sign of respect and tribute to the late Princess. 

It's reported Kate Middleton had three midwives accompany her during the birth of Princess Charlotte—all of whom were sworn to secrecy. 

However, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose to announce Prince George's birth via email and Twitter before the easel had been posted—seemingly breaking tradition. 

The doctors at the hospital sign it and then it's delivered back to the palace by car.

We totally would too. 

According to the Royal Parks, it's given as a sign of respect or welcome upon various important royal occasions. 

And it's located near Buckingham Palace. 

Prince George's full name is George Alexander Lewis and Princess Charlotte's full name is Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Prince William's full name is William Arthur Philip Louis.

People are already predicting baby

Up until the early 20th century, royal babies actually had no last name at all. Instead, they were known by the names of the county of which they ruled.

This year, Prince George will simply be known as George Cambridge. 

The correct title when referring to the royal baby is His or Her Royal Highness Prince or Princess (name) of Cambridge.

The current town crier is Tony Appleton and he has announced the births of both Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The position originated in medieval times since the majority of the townspeople in the country could not read or write. 

They have even been known to sleep there over night. 

Protocol dictated that Prince William call his grandmother on an encrypted phone upon Prince George's birth.

Thankfully, this was abolished in 2013. 

His name is Marcus Setchell and he postponed his retirement to deliver Prince George. He is also the Queen's obstetrician-gynecologist. In the past, Sir George Pinker delivered Prince William and Harry. 

Queen Elizabeth II breastfed her children, and so did Princess Diana. It's been reported Kate Middleton has done the same, though it's not officially confirmed. 

According to The Telegraph, "Queen Victoria found the idea of breastfeeding repellent, considering it the 'ruin' of intellectual and refined young ladies." Today it remains a personal decision. 

The Duchess of Cambridge's illness caused her to announce her third pregnancy early, and the family has still not confirmed a due date. 

Princess Diana and Prince Charles

Prince William received unpaid paternity leave from the Royal Air Force for the births of both of his children. 

Here, Prince William is pictured with his Shetland pony at Highgrove House in Doughton, Gloucestershire in 1986. 

Prince William was

It's for their grandmother's birthday, after all. The traditional Trooping the Colour ceremony is also known as the Queen's official birthday celebration. Here, the entire Royal family watches the Royal Air Force fly above from the palace balcony. 

However, exceptions have been made with Kate Middleton due to her acute morning sickness. News broke about baby no. 3 after the Duchess couldn't attend an event at the Hornsey Road Children's Centre in London. 

Even Prince William and Kate haven't broken this tradition yet. It's rumored they didn't even know Prince George's gender themselves. 

England and Wales requires all births must be registered within 42 days at the hospital or a local register office. Royals, they're just like us. 

And they're taught everything from defensive driving to security protocols to Taekwondo. Maria Borrallo is the current nanny for Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

And this is when they often make their official first public appearance. Prince George was christened at St. James's Palace in London and Princess Charlotte (above) was christened at Church of St. Mary Magdalene on Queen Elizabeth II's Sandringham Estate. 

His name is Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. In addition to the church, previous generations of royals have held the event at Buckingham Palace, where Princes Charles and William were christened in the Music Room. The queen and her sister were baptized in a private chapel that was destroyed during World War II.

Aside from the after-party, of course. However, with Princess Charlotte the royal family broke this tradition and allowed the public to take selfies. 

You can see Prince George's official christening photographs here. 

For the past eight generations, the same gown has been worn as a replica of the one used in 1841 during Queen Victoria's reign. Sixty two royal babies have worn this original gown. 

Princess Charlotte's christening was the most public christening in royal history. There's a designated viewing area for thousands of spectators. 

Prince George has seven and Princess Charlotte has five. 

And certainly not the immediate family. (Sorry, Prince Harry.)