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The#GreatKateWaitis over! In just over 12 hours,Princess Katewas admitted to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital in London, welcomed her second child with husbandPrince William, presented her little girl (!) to the world, and headed home to Kensington Palace.
Tuesday, May 5, 2:40 p.m. BST:At long last, the Queen meets her fifth great-grandchild.Queen Elizabetharrived at Kensington Palace this afternoon to be formally introduced toPrincess Charlotte.
Monday, May 4, 5:05 p.m. BST:William and Kate are set to spend one more night at Kensington Palace before departing for their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, on Tuesday. Before they go, however, it seems likely thatPrincess CharlotteElizabeth Diana will meet one of her namesakes: The Queen has left Sandringham, and it is believed that she’ll meet the newest member of her family in London tomorrow.
Monday, May 4, 3:25 p.m. BST:Bookmakers are believed to have paid out £1 million as William and Kate named their little Princess, Charlotte.
Charlotte was the most popular bet since Kate, 33 gave birth over the weekend. Three times as many wagers were placed on Charlotte compared to Alice, Diana and Olivia, with Ladbrokes, forcing the odds in to 3/1 from 6/1, leaving punters jumping for joy as royal betting records were broken. Those who picked Charlotte when the couple first announced Kate was expecting will have been quids in — with a payout at odds of 25/1.
Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said in a statement: “Charlotte was the hot tip over the weekend and royal watchers up and down the land are quids in. We may have lost a fortune but we’re paying out with a smile and wish the Duke and Duchess all the best.”
Monday, May 4, 3:00 p.m. BST:The little princess has a name! Kensington Palace announced on Monday that Will and Kate have named their daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Making this birth even more sweet and sentimental, two very important relatives —Queen Elizabethand Princess Diana — were recognized in the naming. Beyond those obvious namesakes, Charlotte’s name is filled with significance: Charlotte is the female version of Charles, William’s father’s name, as well as the middle name of Kate’s sister, Pippa, and Elizabeth is both Kate and her mother Carole’s middle name.
Monday, May 3, 2:00 p.m. BST:In keeping with royal tradition, British soldiers fired volleys in honor of the little princess’s birth in London’s Hyde Park (a 41-gun salute) and at the Tower of London (a 62-gun salute) today.
Sunday, May 3, 6:05 p.m. BST:After an hours-long visit, Carole Middleton and Pippa left Kensington Palace just after 6 o’clock. Shortly after, Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, the director of midwifery at London’s Imperial College arrived at the palace at 6:10 p.m.
Sunday, May 3, 5:00 p.m. BST:With a big smile on his face, Michael Middleton drove away from Kensington Palace
Sunday, May 3, 4:30 p.m. BST:Prince Harry, who is currently in Australia on military duty, released a statement about his new niece: “She is absolutely beautiful.” How adorable.
Sunday, May 3, 2:25 p.m. BST:Prince Charlesand Camilla wave to the crowd as they drive away from Kensington Palace, after spending an hour and a half with their new granddaughter.
Sunday, May 3, 1:35 p.m. BST:Kate’s father, Michael Middleton, arrives at Kensington Palace solo to greet his new granddaughter.
May 2, 6:40 p.m. BST:
May 2, 6:20 p.m. BST:Here she is! Kate, with William at her side, held her infant daughter on the steps of the Lindo Wing. She wore a white-and-yellow Jenny Packham dress for the occasion. The two posed for photographs for a few minutes before ducking back inside to grab the car seat. William then strapped his daughter into the Range Rover, and drove the family home to Kensington Palace.
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May 2, 4:15 p.m. BST:Prince Georgemanaged a brief slightly bemused wave as his proud dad took him to see his new sister. Looking towards ranks of camera crews and photographers, he and William, 32, stopped to pose for a moment before heading into St Mary’s hospital. They had got out of the second of two Range Rovers and initially William tried to get him to walk along the sidewalk. Then, to cheers from well wishers down the streets, he hoisted his son up and carried him towards the door. As he turned to go up the steps, William kissed his son on the head.
May 2, 4:00 p.m. BST:Prince Williamhas left the Lindo Wing — but not for long. The proud dad stepped out in a blue sweater and told onlookers “We’re very happy, very happy.” He also said who will be returning with him: “I’m just going to pick up George.”
May 2, 3:30 p.m. BST:The Queen is clearly happy about her newest great-grandchild! The monarch stepped out at an event in Yorkshire dressed in pink.
May 2, 1:40 p.m. BST:The celebration isn’t over yet! The (unofficial) town crier is still making the rounds near the hospital and ringing his bell.
May 2, 1:15 p.m. BST:Former royal chef Darren McGrady knows exactly whatPrince William’s late mum would be feeling now — utter pride and love and support for Princess Kate. That’s because he witnessed how Princess Diana welcomed his own daughter Kelly when his wife Wendy gave birth. On August 22 1996, she wrote “Many congratulations on the safe arrival of your little lady! With love from Diana.” He tells PEOPLE, “This is exactly the sort of wishes the Princess would be saying to Kate today. “Congratulations William and Kate. Princess Diana would have been dancing with joy around Kensington Palace today at the news of her new grand daughter. The “little girl” she desperately longed for.”
May 2, 1:00 p.m. BST:Inga van Detmrent, 26, from The Netherlands, is in the packed crowd trying to get close to see the easel with the birth announcement at Buckingham Palace. ” I had to come! This is part of history! We’re monarquists too at home.”
Lyn Beardsley, no age given, from Australia, is also thrilled. As the lineoces very slowly, she says, “we just heard from someone as we walked down the Mall. The whole city is vibrant and full of energy! Weight have to pop some champagne tonight. It’s special, a little princess!”
Here from Florida, Sue Serpone, 61, says, “I’m ecstatic and happy. I would love to see them use Diana as the middle name.”
May 2, 12:45 p.m. BST:London’s Tower Bridge glows pink in honor of the little Princess’s birth.
May 2, 12:25 p.m. BST:And the easel has made its debut. At 12:25, a Buckingham Palace employee in black suit and red gilet put the traditional golden easel, which displays the new princess’s birth announcement, up behind the main gates. There were some initial screams of excitement from happy onlookers, but the crowds quickly organized so as to see the easel in orderly fashion. Victoria Rollason, 30, from Coventry, England, says: “It’s historical isn’t it? The atmosphere is great! It’s a once in a lifetime memory.”
May 2, 12:00 p.m. BST:As throngs of memorabilia-clad royals fans wave their flags and parade their celebratory signs in honor of the new princess, Praed Street souvenir and gift shop London Red Bus mirrors the excitement about the newest royal birthday. “These days are looking really good–obviously sales are going up,” Shan, a shop employee, tells PEOPLE.”People are really coming to see and are excited about the royal birth. The last one that was born, it was really nice on that day and during that period. We hope this time will be the same.” As for the electric atmosphere of the hospital and surrounding area, Shan says with a smile, “It’s making us really happy.”
May 2, 12:00 p.m. BST:Charles Spencer, sister to Princess Diana, uncle to William and Harry, great uncle toPrince Georgeand his new sister,andthe ninth Earl Spencer, tweeted his congratulations to his nephew and niece-in-law on the birth of their daughter.
May 2, 11:27 a.m. BST:The Royal Navy tweeted out an adorable message of congratulations from the HMS Lancaster.
May 2, 11:00 a.m. BST:News that it’s a girl hits Bucklebury, Princess Kate’s hometown. Locals at the Bladebone Inn raise the first of many toasts to the little princess. “We will open a bottle of something bubbly later on,” landlord Kiren Puri tells PEOPLE. “We will raise a toast with some English sparking wine. It’s an English princess, so it’s only fitting that we open something English.”
May 2, 11:00 a.m. BST:Kate Alexander from Bucklebury Bakes is a regular at the village’s weekly farmer’s market. But today she arrived with some extra special Kate cookies, priced at £2.50 each! “I made them specially to commemorate the birth,” says Alexander of the cookies, which are made with refined sugar and come in both vanilla and chocolate. “I am thrilled that she has got a little girl, as I have got a little girl too. “It’s great for the village and forPrince George. He will now have a little sister to play with and show the ropes to and she will have a big brother to have fun with.”
May 2, 11:00 a.m. BST:It’s a girl!After a speedy delivery and a few hours of private time to alert both of their families, who are “delighted,”Prince Williamand Princess Kate announced that they’re the new parents of a daughter, who was born at 8:34 a.m. The little one weighs 8 lbs., 3 oz., and both mother and child are doing well.
May 2, 9:15 a.m. BST:The devoted royal fans who’ve camped outside St. Mary’s Hospital are buzzing with joy now that Princess Kate is in the early stages of labor. “No words can describe how excited I am,” says Australian Kathy Martin, 52, who’s camped out on the sidewalk in a tent for 13 days. “I am also so relieved because we have been in terrible conditions and I don’t know if I could last another week. Our spirits were getting down.
“This morning there were so many police cars on this street with flashing lights I thought I was in a disco,” she adds. “They were patrolling the street before she went in at 6 a.m.”
John Loughrey, 60, of Wandsworth, was fast asleep when someone tapped him on the shoulder and told him, “The Duchess of Cambridge is in the hospital,” he recalls. “Now I feel nervous. It could be the excitement.
“It would be nice if it were a girl,” he says, “and if she was named Elizabeth. The Queen has been a perfect monarch. They are a very special family and that is why we come here to celebrate.”
Adds Martin: “Last night I had this feeling that Kate was going to give birth this weekend. I saw flashing lights in the window of the hospital and thought Princess Diana will be with them in spirit.”
May 1, 4:00 p.m. BST:Inquring minds at the Lindo Wing wonder — what’s an expecting gal to do? Princess Kate and Will might enjoy a cheeky new $7.50 card game called Game of Crowns. The new limited edition Top Trumps 30-card pack pits celebrities and commoners against the Royals to battle for the throne of the United Kingdom. James Corden, J. K. Rowling and David and Victoria Beckham are among the featured celebrities, and the commoners are British politicians.Queen Elizabeth, Wills, Kate and even the corgis represent the Royals. Shuffle up and deal … sounds perfect!
Simon Perry
May 1, 11:40 a.m. BST:Did someone forgot to tell these guys about the embargo? A couple of ducks waddled into the press pen, which are off limits to media members until Princess Kate goes into labor.
May 1, 10:20 a.m. BST:He’s already shown a pregnant Kate next to a donkey, and now, artist Kaya Mar has returned to the Lindo Wing with two more portraits. One showsQueen ElizabethwithPrince Philipin his bed (possibly after sipping too much red wine) and another of a breastfeeding Kate.
April 30, 4:00 p.m. BST:Terry Hutt’sfellow superfans aren’t the only ones helping him to celebrate his birthday.Kensington Palace just sent the royal watcher a chocolate cake with a handwritten note congratulating him on his 80th birthday. Hutt, whom the royals know as the “Umbrella Man” because of his signature umbrella hat, was dressed in his trademark Union Jack suit and smiled broadly as he posed for photographers. “I’m really going to enjoy this,” he said of the cream-piped circular chocolate-covered layer cake. Intriguingly, it was delivered in a box tied with both blueandpink ribbons.
April 30, 3:00 p.m. BST:Oh, how Kensington Palace likes to tease us. As the media kept their eyes trained on the Lindo Wing door, the official Twitter account forPrince William, Princess Kate andPrince Harry,@KensingtonRoyal, posted acruel#TBT photo: Will and Kate on the steps of the Lindo Wing two years ago, debutingPrince Georgeto the public. C’mon, KP — there’s only so much that eager (and impatient) royal watchers can handle.
April 30, 2:30 p.m. BST:Rumors thatPrincess Katehad left her palace home for the hospital proved unfounded at around 2:30 p.m. Thursday. A “convoy” reported to have left the palace never materialized, and palace sources said there was no news expected to be announced, despite the brief presence of extra security at the famous Lindo Wing door. Officials remained calm — and at their desks. Other members of the royal family use Kensington Palace, insiders point out. The wait continues.
Joanne Fowler
April 29, morning:It’s a special day for Will and Kate: Their fourth wedding anniversary. But rather than marking the occasion with a new addition to the family, the couple have been keeping the celebrations fairly low-key, spending the day at Buckingham Palace. Because of the significance of the day for the Duke and Duchess, April 29 was the sentimental favorite for many a royal fan, but not even the wishes of royal watchers can end this wait — but if it drags on much longer (12 to 14 days after her due date) Kate could be induced.
April 28, morning:After the presence of royal protection officers at St. Mary’s Hospital’s Lindo Wing sent royal watchers into a frenzy, we received hard evidence that Kate isdefinitelynot in labor (yet).The Duchess was spotted leaving Buckingham Palace in her Range RoverTuesday morning. It’s believed thatPrince Georgewas in the backseat of the car with nanny Maria Borrallo. Kate and George are frequent visitors to the Buckingham Palace pool for swimming lessons.
April 28, morning:Royal super fans stationed outside St. Mary’s Hospital got a special surprise this morning: pastries and hot coffee direct from the Duke and Duchess themselves. Later on in the day, the palace confirmed that it really was the expectant parents who sent the boxes of croissants and danishes, as well as the cups of hot coffee. The recipients thank the couple in the video below.
source: people.com
