Yay, Duchess Kate & Prince William welcomed a healthy little princess!

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Wow, that was fast! Not the pregnancy, but the birth. Duchess Kate checked into the hospital “under cover of darkness” early this morning, and BAM, the United Kingdom now has a new…

PRINCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

According to the @Kensington Royal Twitter (Kate and William’s official Twitter), Kate delivered her baby girl at 8:34 am. Mother and child are doing well. Kate was generally believed to be more than a week overdue – her due date was allegedly April 25-ish. But she gave birth to a May Baby. Here’s more from the KP Twitter:

Congrats to William and Kate. They must be so relieved. And we know Prince Charles wanted a princess granddaughter too. I’m assuming Kate will stay overnight at the hospital and we’ll get the big debut tomorrow. I don’t know when we’ll learn the name, hopefully today or tomorrow. Some people are still saying Alice or Elizabeth or Diana or Charlotte or Victoria. Could be.

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Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN.

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276 Responses to “Yay, Duchess Kate & Prince William welcomed a healthy little princess!”

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  1. mememe says:

    Please a nod to Diana

    • Jegede says:

      I hope not.

      She will already have a rabid press twice as much as her brother.

      Thats the last thing this little one needs.

      • Sara says:

        Poor little girl is already doomed to a lifetime of media speculation and quasi impossibility of having a life of her own, or even a job outside of the Firm.

      • Kori says:

        Exactly. I’ve been pulling for Frances in the middle if anything. But lots of people don’t pick parental names so there should t be pressure on them to satisfy the public.

      • Original T.C. says:

        Well let’s look our selves, compare comments on William vs. Kate. The new Princess will have a rabid press following because most Royal watchers are women and women like fashion. The press is giving the people what they want. The more you click on the Princess stories the more the press will crank out for you. Just being honest that we are part of the problem.

    • Wendy says:

      Maybe she’ll get Frances in her names (like Diana’s mother) but Diana is a no-no.

    • notasugarhere says:

      This child has enough of a burden being Diana’s granddaughter. Using any part of Diana’s name condemns her even further.

      • goofpuff says:

        can you imagine if she doesn’t turn out “a beautiful girl” in the eyes of the media what a nightmare her life will be?

      • CG says:

        @Goofpuff IKR? Look at poor Beatrice — she’s totally cute but people rag on her teeth and eyes. If Princess Canbridge isn’t conventionally attractive, she’s in for a bad time. And I also vote no on naming her Diana, but since everybody thought Spencer would be one of George’s middle names and it wasnt, maybe they’re not into it?

      • Not Orangina says:

        Or maybe not? Hardly any royal blood in this kid.

      • Imo says:

        Not Orangina
        What are you on about?

    • anon321 says:

      Elizabeth Charlotte OR Charlotte Elizabeth. Alice is just too old.

      • Carmen says:

        I disagree. I’d like to see Alice Elizabeth or Alice Diana. Charlotte sounds like a grumpy old-maid aunt.

      • Molls says:

        Charlotte is my youngest daughter’s name.

        Not a grumpy old aunt, but lovely.

      • Deens says:

        I live in the heart of a London “nappy valley” and the old-fashioned names for girls are back with a vengeance. When I take my toddler to the playground, all you hear is Edith, Alice, Pearl, Ruby, Daisy, Maisie, Liza, etc etc. In addition to all the Olivias, Amelias, Sophies, Avas…

        My money re: royal baby name is on a Sophia or Mary being in there somewhere (probably middle)…

    • Mispronounced Name Dropper says:

      I hope they go with Apple.

  2. MelissaManifesto says:

    I am so happy that she delivered a daughter and I hope the press gives the new baby a chance to be raised with some sense of normality. Whatever happens after this day, Kate Middleton’s place and clout in the Royal Family and the history of England has been sealed. She will do no wrong in the media or the public’s eye. She has done her job and she has done it well, the timing was literally perfect: the heir prince first and the princess second. You couldn’t even plan those things and I am so freaking excited for her.

    By the way, has anyone seen on Twitter how some companies have been shamelessly using the news to plug in their products? I also see others tweeting about orphans and sick children around the world. It is a legitimate and noble act to care for children, especially those who lack even the most basic necessities and rights, but it’s okay to celebrate a new birth, even if it’s a royal. It doesn’t or shouldn’t negate the work that needs to be done to help children around the world.

    Congrats! I wish the new princess all the very best. God Bless!

  3. Lucretias says:

    woohoo! A beautiful baby girl! May she be healthy, wise and gifted with compassion for others.

    • MelissaManifesto says:

      I co-sign. Those are some of the most important qualities anyone can have.

    • wolfpup says:

      woohoo.

    • notasugarhere says:

      I agree. Now, from which of her parents do you expect her to get the finer qualities of wisdom and compassion?

      • bluhare says:

        Come on. It’s a happy day. Can’t we just enjoy it and leave the rest for another time?

      • Tough Cookie says:

        “wisdom and compassion” (snort)

      • Jegede says:

        @bluhare – Exactly

      • Imo says:

        Negativity can be constructive but it is also important to know when to focus on what is beautiful and special – like a new life. Congrats to the families!

      • Bob Loblaw says:

        As if you have any clue at all what these people are like, who are you up to say they lack wisdom and compassion, your comment only proves you lack those qualities.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Let’s see if this gets through the fourth time. Bob, I believe I do know their actions fairly well. I do not see wisdom and compassion in these two. I see a supreme reluctance to work for their dinner, and that work involves a caring that these two just do not possess.

      • FLORC says:

        Bob
        We do have clues. We have a great many years of exposed and admitted motives. Actions trying to strip freedom of press. Shunning duties for leisures. And speaking poorly about what charity work they do (caught on microphones).

        And really anyone who pays attention past the fluff articles sees that.
        To add Nota has demonstrated a great many times to be compassionate here. You make swift judgements on anothers character from comments you read here on a single topic.

        In the end it’s silly to attack eachother. Those who do have no place to stand and judge others.

    • crystalball says:

      ‘Woohoo! A beautiful baby girl.’ Actually, you won’t know if she is beautiful or not – unless you’re close family – until she leaves the hospital. (And is average-looking no longer acceptable?)

    • Not Orangina says:

      Like it’s REAL mother, who essentially sold it?

  4. Tig says:

    So glad for a safe birth for all. Welcome baby girl Cambridge!

  5. **sighs** says:

    Congratulations! Glad all are doing well.

  6. Aly says:

    Congrats to all!

  7. Kaiser says:

    There’s some speculation among royal reporters that they’ll do the big debut today. Thoughts? I think they’ll wait until tomorrow, but you never know with Will & Kate.

    • Sparkly says:

      I think if she had the baby that early and it was a normal, healthy delivery, they might go ahead and do the debut before the end of the day. Is Sunday a big church day for them over there? Would they be more or less likely to wait because of the weekend? She seemed healthy and vibrant after her first birth, so I’m guessing maybe debut this evening.

      I know it’s semantics, but a baby really isn’t overdue until mom’s past 42 weeks. If her due date *was* Ap 25, she’s full term. I think the distinction is important (possibly moreso in induction-happy US…). I really like the adage “It’s an *estimated* due date, not an expiration date” (that was one of my favorite facebook sites, where I initially heard it, but I think it was taken down).

    • LNG says:

      I could be wrong, but I think that they announced it so quickly after the birth because they intend to leave today. They waited 4 or so hours after George was born to make the announcement and only waited 2 today. I can see them wanting to be home as soon as possible. Like Sparkly said, if it was a normal, healthy delivery and mother and baby are both doing well there is no reason why they couldn’t go home this evening. Who knows! They might not do it today to give everyone time to visit at the hospital.

    • Ellen says:

      Do we know Williams attitude toward the papers that don’t publish on Sunday? The main argument for waiting would be to give equal press access to all papers.

    • Sixer says:

      Hardly anyone in the UK goes to church on Sundays, so I doubt that would be an issue.

      If there are no specific mother or baby health concerns, the baby was full-term and sufficient weight, you haven’t had an epidural, and there were no forceps or ventouse interventions, you usually go home a few hours after delivering here. They do a hearing test at the hospital but the full newborn screening and health exam is usually done the next day by a midwife and in your home.

      So, if she wanted, she could very easily be out this afternoon.

      • Hudson Girl says:

        Why the HELL wouldn’t she use an Epidural for an 8 pound plus baby?! I think they are still common in the US for people?
        (Disclosure: I’ve never given birth)

      • Jaded says:

        @Hudson Girl – she had PGTips by natural childbirth. There are other ways of managing pain such as hypnosis, breathing techniques, gentle massage, etc. that Kate may have used during childbirth to lessen the pain.

      • Harper says:

        @Hudson Girl – epidurals are only used about half of the time in hospital births in the US. Some women can’t have them, and many choose not to for a variety of reasons, including the potential side-effects for the baby (difficulty latching for breastfeeding, decreased heart rate/respiratory depression, etc.).

      • Kori says:

        There’s also a small window (4-8 cm dilated). I had my son progress slowly to 3 and then bam til 9 (when he slowed again) so I missed the window. And my active
        About time was about the same–2.5 hrs. 2nd kid too.

      • veronica says:

        @ Hudson Girl, it really is all about preference, timing, availability and pain threshold. A friend wanted one, but the hospital was really busy and she couldn’t get one. Another friend went so fast that she was too far along for it. Some just don’t want it. I didn’t want one but after almost 7 hours with no progress and back labour, I got one. I’m a little annoyed at myself that I didn’t stick it out longer and give the gas and air a good go but in the end it was good for me because my baby got stuck and needed to be delivered via forceps. Next baby, I’m going to try without but if it’s a 20 hour labour again, I might just go for it.

      • katie says:

        “..There are other ways of managing pain…”
        Haha…not in my world!! My daughter was 8 lb 6.5 oz and by the time I was finally at 10cm my epidural was wearing off! Drugs, Give. Me. Drugs! 😄 😉

      • FLORC says:

        To add to methods outside of drugs. There’s oxygen, numbing agents on top of what was listed. It’s hardly an epidural or total pain.
        This is a topic that is much more vast than some think.

    • wolfpup says:

      Why don’t these entitled folks just tell the press when they will be appearing – why all the stress? Can’t we arrange a time for convenience, instead of making us wait on baited breath for their “graces” to show us the child? Hooey games, I say – but this does add PR fluffiness, doesn’t it? They could name her Grace, for all the graces she will receive.

      • bluhare says:

        They just had a baby. Maybe they don’t know.

      • LNG says:

        They have been telling the press – they said William would be coming out in 30 minutes to go get George (which he did), and now the news is saying about 15-20 minutes until they all emerge (although I heard that on Canadian news, and haven’t seen anything about it on Twitter yet, so who knows if it is correct). This has been a remarkably quick process (aside from waiting for Kate to actually go into labour) with lots of information about what is going on. I’m sure as soon as they know when they’re leaving we will hear.

      • Not Orangina says:

        Yes, a lot for another fake heir.

    • Tough Cookie says:

      I remember Diana left the hospital the same day when Harry was born. Dressed to the nines in red…she looked awesome.

  8. Jegede says:

    Congratulations Will and Kate.

    Busy weekend – Royal baby girl – Age of Ultron – MET Gala – Mayweather fight

  9. A says:

    It’s really funny to me that even when other people are being referred to semi-formally Harry is never “Prince Henry” – they all just call him Harry too!

    • notasugarhere says:

      Charles and Diana announced that he would be known as “Harry” at the time they announced his names.

  10. Sara says:

    Welcome princess baby! Welcome to a life where your every move will be scrutinized, your friends at school will be encouraged to see info on your habits, as soon as you pass puberty total strangers will comment on your level of hotness or not perpetually, you will be incapable of having an extra drink or smoking without it being front news in the Daily Mail! In exchange you’ll get to wear a lot of fancy jewellery and open a lot of bazaars! Congrats!

    • Sparkly says:

      Awww. I always wished I was a princess when I was a kid. Not quite so glamorous in real life.

    • oneshot says:

      consider this all co-signed.

    • Mich says:

      Amen. I’m thinking they should just go ahead and name her Commodity. Because that is how she is going to be treated by the world at large 🙁

    • Charlie says:

      Or welcome to a life of extreme privilege and wealth 99% of people on the world can’t even imagine, and you will be trated like you are very important even though you haven’t sone anything. You win some, you lose some, most people have it much worse.

      • notasugarhere says:

        +1,000

      • Franca says:

        I completely agree, Charlie.

      • Trillion says:

        co-sign. The best we can hope for is that she uses it for some good or rejects the entire monarchy bullshit altogether. Now THAT I would tune in for. Otherwise, the news is: Woman has baby. Next.

      • Sara says:

        I get what you all are saying. Just meant that it would be a thousand times better to be the child of the Duke of Westminster: same perks, more money, less visibility. Shrug.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      Good grief. She has health, as far as we know, two parents and an extended family who are overjoyed to greet her, food to eat, shelter, clean water. She will have access to the finest education, world travel, an extraordinary family history and the finest homes, museums, cultural events in the world. She’s better off that many, many babies born today. Yes, there’s a downside, but I’d be willing to bet if she had the choice, she’d rather be born.

      • Franca says:

        Exactly, there are babies born in Syria or Gaza who maybe won’t live to the age of 5. I don’t feel sorry for her at all.

      • Sara says:

        I totally agree with you. I’m just saying I would hate for my child to grow up under such scrutiny, all for the useless purpose of becoming…what? The pressure is insane. Kate chose this life for herself, but her kids didn’t. That’s all I’m saying.

      • Timbuktu says:

        Aaaamen, GNAT!
        Not only would she rather be born, I’d also bet that given a choice, she would be VERY glad to be born in that particular family as opposed to many many other families that welcomed their babies today.

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        True, Sara, she does not have a choice about that. Whether or not she sees herself as lucky or unlucky will depend on what kind of person she grows up to be.

      • FLORC says:

        Well said Sara and GNAT. Will she become her own person or be a product of her environment.

  11. AuroraO says:

    I was right all along.
    Glad to hear they are doing well.

  12. Ana says:

    Called it! 😁
    Wow a few hours less and my mom could have said she shares the same birthday as the Princess lol

    I am voting for an Alice or even an Elizabeth?

    Congrats!

    • bettyrose says:

      I’m hoping for Charlotte. Elizabeth is a wonderful name, but it’s practically Jennifer or Emma level popular for new babies. Alice has a nice literary feel, but “princess Alice” just doesn’t feel regal to me. Now Charlotte, it’s classic, strong, but not overly heard on the playground.

      • Kori says:

        alice was the name of Quern Victoria’s 3rd daughter. Her daughter was also named Alice (but spelled Alix because of how the Germans butchered it but in England she was usually called Alice). She became the last Tsarina Alexandra. And Alice’s granddaughter and namesake Alice was Philip’s mother. Plus there was the ever popular Duchess of Gloucester. They went string into the Teck/Battenberg/Mountbatten lineage for George’s names so we will see.

      • Ana says:

        I thought it they used Elizabeth it would probably be as one of the ten middle names they give these babies. Charlotte sounds great too. They could call her Charlie awww

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        Charlotte is my favorite name for a girl.

    • Ana says:

      Thanks Kori! I always like learning about that stuff 🙂

  13. Sixer says:

    I’m issuing the same congratulations I would give to any couple with a new baby. No shade, honest.

    However, I have switched off TV news and will be studiously avoiding it for the rest of the weekend. Favourite tweet so far:

    ““The Duchess of Cambridge is in labour and in accordance with protocol, a state of national media sycophancy has officially been declared.”

    I know, I know – I’m a miserable old bag.

    • Vava says:

      I don’t think you’re miserable at all! I like that tweet, too. LOL

    • BengalCat2000 says:

      I’m an old bag with you Sixer. I’m happy for them, glad everyone is healthy, but I’ve never been a fan of the Royal Family.

    • Sixer says:

      At least it’s nearing the end of the Premier League season and the last week of a general election campaign. I’m imagining the news editors now…

      “Bloody hell. Football. Election. Royal sprog. What to do? What to do?”

      !

      • BengalCat2000 says:

        Lol! I think I’m keeping my TV off until Mad Men tomorrow night. It’s a beautiful spring day. Think I’ll put on some Lou Reed tunes, open all the windows and stay away from internet and television!

      • Sixer says:

        That sounds like a plan! I am going to work out a way of cooking up my spinach mountain. And I’ve been recording an Italian TV drama – there’s about six episodes to watch so far, so I might go for a TV marathon later.

      • wolfpup says:

        In the US, all we have is a mention, in our news…there must be a real difference in coverage.

      • ncboudicca says:

        Wolfpup, I bet the weekday morning news programs will devote time to it on Monday, though.

        Congrats to them, a new baby should always be a joyous event…but Sixer’s tweet is hilarious, it made me snigger!

      • notasugarhere says:

        Sixer, Montalbano?

      • Sixer says:

        @ nota – No, 1992. It’s been on Sky Arts. Blurb for it: “compelling ten part Italian drama following six people whose lives are intertwined with the rapidly changing political landscape of early 90s Italy”. Haven’t started watching yet, so no idea if it’s any good.

        I do like ol’ Montalbano, though.

      • Sixer says:

        @ wolfpup and nboudicca

        To give you an idea, here’s the current running order of the BBC and Sky news pages:

        BBC: Royal sprog, Royal sprog (ie two separate reports), election, death of famous author, Baltimore police, Nepal quake, death of wife of famous footballer.

        Sky: Royal sprog, Royal sprog, Royal sprog, Royal sprog (ie four separate reports), death of wife of famous footballer. death of famous author. executed Australians, Baltimore police.

        The sprog has even pushed the sodding general election off the Sky news main roster! Jebus.

    • tigerlily says:

      haha….I just checked BBC website and omg….photos of crowds gathering and people who’ve staked out the hospital. Really?? I’m a Canadian and we’re kind of ho-hum about the monarchy apart from some pockets of rabid monarchists and suck-ups in Ottawa.

      • Sixer says:

        I’ve stopped watching but the BBC was hilarious earlier. They were rushing about finding people to interview and all they got were the usual crazies in their Union Jack suits, plus tourists. The tourists, bless them, were all slightly bemused but good sports about looking enthusiastic.

    • Tough Cookie says:

      I’m an old bag then too!! I’m making mint juleps for all of you because it’s Kentucky Derby Day. But I also have Pimm’s Cup if you prefer.

    • frisbeejada says:

      Sign me up for ‘old bagness’ immediately please.

  14. net22 says:

    I’m guessing she had her contractions at home with help of midwives and when she was almost ready to birth the baby she was taken to the hospital for the actual birth. I think Alice would be a nice name, maybe they will have Diana as a middle name , but not sure it will be approved by the Queen . However, Prince William seems to get what he wants quite often from what I read and if that is what he wants, who knows? They might have Elizabeth , Alexandra or Victoria as middle names. Something very traditional. We’ll know for sure in the next few days.

    • wolfpup says:

      It doesn’t seem like they really have many names to chose from…

      • Belle Epoch says:

        Nobody mentioned Camilla LOL

        As for being a princess, it’s all she will ever know. I don’t think any of us can really understand being in line for the Throne and having centuries of royal ancestors. What a trip. I hope she’s close to her brother – they will need each other.

      • A.Key says:

        “I hope she’s close to her brother – they will need each other.”

        Yeah they got a burden to bear alright. Poor things. What a horrible life they will have.

  15. Yeses says:

    I think they will throw in a Diana, Frances, Elizabeth or Victoria in the name, hope they do, I love older names being carried down. Yay for a girl!!! Kate sure has chunky babies, cute!!!
    P.S. She shares a birthday with David Beckham, that should amount for something for one of them across the pond .

    • jujoki says:

      I’m hoping Jane, Anna, Alexandra or even Mary -feels like Victoria, though. At least here in the UK.

      • wahine992 says:

        I like Jane Elizabeth Diana. George and Jane? Hmmm….. they might think that sounds too Jetsons-ish. I hope they let us know soon.

  16. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    Can’t wait to see the smocking!! Congratulations.

  17. Cate says:

    So thrilled it’s a girl and everyone is healthy and happy and doing well. I’m hoping for Elizabeth or Victoria or something old school, Alice is really pretty too. I wonder what little George thinks about all this.

  18. bettyrose says:

    It’s a princess! Princess Charlotte??

  19. Ms. Turtle says:

    This girl can’t miss. A prince as heir. A daughter second. If in a year she steps up and starts really ramping up her public engagements, no one would have anything to complain about except maybe her eyeliner.

    • notasugarhere says:

      Because in your mind, Ms. Turtle, a boy is better than a girl? That is what your comment seems to imply.

      • Ms. Turtle says:

        I didn’t make myself clear. Of course I do not think a boy is better. I hoped for a girl first. I simply meant the traditional boy first, then girl. I was hoping for another queen instead of the next three being kings, even though I’ll likely be dead before then.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Thank you for explaining.

      • MelissaManifesto says:

        Let’s not be over sensitive. She’s not saying that a boy is better than a girl. But as far as royalty is concerned, a male heir to the throne is always expected. It’s not always the case, but we all know what the expectations are. There’s no reason, in this instance, to think about the ifs because George is a boy and that’s never going to change. The point is Kate Middleton did her job, exactly as expected.

      • bettyrose says:

        Notasugar – When I voiced my preference for a girl before George was born, I was schooled on the expectations for a boy and the extra pressure on Kate if she didn’t produce a boy first. Is it weird to congratulate her on something she has no control over? Perhaps. Is it accepting patriarchal absurdity to feel happy for her that she did it the “right” way? Absolutely. But there it is. The way things are.

      • notasugarhere says:

        In fact, many were hoping for a girl the first time because the laws had passed, just in time, to make the first born the heir regardless of sex. Yes, it strange to congratulate her on having a girl when, now that we’re out of the dark ages, we know it is the father than determines the sex of the child.

        Melissa, most of the young heirs to European thrones are female. Sweden, Spain, Netherlands, Norway, Belgium. Not every country that has the backward concept of monarchy is as backward as the UK (or Japan) in expecting or desiring a male monarch.

      • Feeshalori says:

        In terms of primogeniture, most likely a boy is traditionally preferred over a girl and genetically Kate got it right. Of course, the preference probably wouldn’t be voiced aloud in this modern age! (hmm) I myself was hoping for another boy, not to solidify the line of male succession, but because of the circus this poor girl will be surrounded by. And you know that Kate will be ascribed sainthood because she delivered this girl. A perfect normal family! (snicker)

      • notasugarhere says:

        “genetically Kate got it right” Again, she had nothing to do with the sex of the baby. If you going to give credit, this is one of the few things that can be credited to William.

      • wolfpup says:

        Why not credit her OB? My brother is one, and has used the science to create the sex of many babies.

      • Feeshalori says:

        Ah, NOTA, I’m just ascribing Kate’s good fortune in delivering a girl back to the good old days where it was the female’s responsibility to deliver the sex of choice, preferably a male, irregardless that it’s the man who determines the sex. As Wolfpup says, nowadays gender can be determined in a lab test tube if a couple is bent on a certain sex. Henry VIII would have availed himself of IVF if it existed back then and saved his wives a lot of misery in his quest for a boy.

      • Bob Loblaw says:

        It’s not as if royals are the only ones who prefer sons, I’m not saying it’s right but it’s culturally pervasive, throughout the world.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Contact (1997)

        David Drumlin. “I know you must think this is all very unfair. Maybe that’s an understatement. What you don’t know is I agree. I wish the world was a place where fair was the bottom line, where the kind of idealism you showed at the hearing was rewarded, not taken advantage of. Unfortunately, we don’t live in that world.”

        Ellie Arroway, “Funny, I’ve always believed that the world is what we make of it.”

    • racer says:

      I agree! Such a perfect left foot, right foot life. It must be enchanting to get everything you want in order.

  20. MelissaManifesto says:

    Isn’t Elizabeth Kate’s middle name? Also George has Alexander in his name, so I hope there isn’t too much of a repetition.

  21. Kaiser says:

    Carole Middleton has been seen at the hospital, as has William’s press secretary. The royal reporters believe Kate & Princess Cambridge will discharged later today.

  22. Il Smith says:

    i hope they name her Alice, after Prince Phillip’s mother. If you read about her, she led an incredible life.

  23. Ellen says:

    Congrats to them! (And the bitter hag in me looks forward to the further grief this will cause between slim-down-the-Firm Charles and what-about-MY-princesses Andrew.)

    • wolfpup says:

      Andrew should have thought about “his princesses” a long time ago! His actions were the most damaging to them in the long run (emotionally!), although Charles could be unfair to the two young ladies.

      • notasugarhere says:

        We don’t know when the decision was made. Given the size of the current working royal family, it would have been logical to assume (for years) that B&E would be working royals. If Anne declared her kids would not be, if would make even more sense. There are 15 working members now. If Andrew knew and lied to his children – no surprise given the rest of his actions.

        The whittling down is logical except W&K will never be workhorses. The BRF cannot decrease the amount they do if they don’t drastically decrease the money they take (Sovereign Grant) or the number of residences. Unless the rumors about Clarence House, Buckingham Palace, and St. James being on the chopping block, Charles’ efforts won’t save the monarchy.

        “I have to be seen to be believed” doesn’t work if you are never seen.

      • Imo says:

        Wolfpup
        Good call. Few people remember the fact that Charles approached Andrew about a long term plan to have the houses off Wales and York become the new/smaller face of the monarchy. This would have included the York girls. Andrew turned Charles down, opting instead to accept the trade ambassador position.
        Andrew wanted to get his hands on lucrative business contacts but probably enjoyed saying no to a brother he doesn’t get along with. Little did Andrew know that the press would expose all of his shady business dealings, shady personal acquaintances and ober necessary on-the-job spending. Little did Andrew know that Charles would extend his moratorium on Andrew to include the York girls.
        According to Andrew the fact truly hit home during the Queen’s jubilee celebration. Charles gave orders that only his parents, Will, Kate, Harry and himself would appear on the balcony. The queen backed Charles up and that was that.
        I just feel sorry for Bea and Eugenie who always get caught up in their parents’ foolishness.

      • Imo says:

        Oops, I said “according to Andrew” but meant according to articles.

  24. COSquared says:

    Any ideas for godparents? I think George got all the friends. Pipster? Maybe Jecca?

    • Sarah says:

      I think making a sibling a godparent is silly. They already have a special connection with the baby being an aunt or uncle. A godparent is a chance to have an extra loving person to be a close special connection for the kid. I am really close to my godmother and am glad she’s separate from my aunts

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        *deleted*

      • notasugarhere says:

        I’m sorry you deleted your comment, GNAT. I was able to read it before you did that, and I thought you had good points about whether or not those friends are going to stick around.

      • Kori says:

        siblings and older relations are popular Royal choices. I think Harry and Pippa’s, Thomas Von Straubanzee, a friend of Kate’s was mentioned but I can’t remember her name, possibly Peter Phillips or even Beatrice or Eugenie (though they’re closer to Harry), their old nanny Tiggy, maybe Telkemache who just married a distance Prussian Royal relation. Or Melissa Percy.

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        Thanks, notsugar
        I was trying to point out that it’s not always silly, because it can work really well, and that my brother has six children, and all of the godparents outside of the family have lost touch. They haven’t been there for the kids after a couple of years, they moved and just faded away, etc.. And how much I treasure my special relationship with the niece who is also my goddaughter. But I thought it sounded defensive and argumentative, and I was too lazy to edit it, so I deleted it. But now it’s back. Lol I’m sure everyone is fascinated.

      • bluhare says:

        I’m godmother to my oldest nephew. Also his guardian.

      • Sixer says:

        My brother and I have aunts and uncles as godparents (well, we say sponsors what with us not being religious) and, if you’re in a big family, like we are (I have 13 aunts and uncles or 26 if you include their spouses), it’s really nice to have “special” ones who are also godparents.

        On the other hand, both Sixlets have the same people – one friend and one cousin. They also double up as the people named in mine and Mr Sixer’s wills to be guardians if the worst were to happen to Mr Sixer and me. We picked them because, of all our friends and family, they are the closest to us in terms of the way they’d bring up kids, general principles, etc, and were both prepared to make the commitment to take on the Sixlets in the event of disaster.

        I think you just choose the people that seem right to you for the reasons that seem important to you.

      • Imo says:

        Times have changed but historically godparents were accepting the responsibility for the child’s religious training in the event of the parents’ death. It wasn’t as much as honoring close friends as it was about making sure no one dropped the ball with instilling preferred values in the child. The natural choice, then, would have been siblings, cousins or other family members who were raised exactly the same way you were.

    • Lama Bean says:

      Haha Jecca. Good one!

  25. *Tarsha* says:

    I lay (virtual internet) bets on Charlotte being the name. With Diana as one of the middle names (these royals normally have at least 2 middle names).

    • booboobird says:

      too many charlottes it seems lately. pippa’s middle name and apparently also earl spencer’s young daughter is charlotte diana

      • *Tarsha* says:

        Ah. I didn’t know that. Well, seems I’ll be wrong then. Just as well I didn’t truly put any money on it, lol.

  26. j.eyre says:

    Just in time for the NFL draft! I hear Colts are looking to pick her up in round 3 but the Windsors are holding out for the Ravens.

    Hearty congratulations to everyone involved, a healthy birth is always a blessing.

  27. Ms. Turtle says:

    Cosquared, my point entirely. As far as what her “job” was when entering the BRF, she’s knocked it out of the park. Boy first, girl second, don’t be so glamorous you outshine your husband for miles. She’s doing it all.

  28. Alicej says:

    No Alice!! That’s my name!! I like elizabeth, or an old fashion royal name like Adelaide or Matilda.

    • Kori says:

      Adelaide was the name of the aunt of Queen Victoria as well as her niece. And Queen Mary’s mother was Mary Adelaide–she was always called by both names.

  29. lassie says:

    I vote “Wallis”. Or “North West”.

    • jujoki says:

      there’s nothing around Carlisle, let’s vote for “North Scots” and everyone will be happy.

    • A.Key says:

      ahahahahahahha

      perhaps Mildred even?

    • minx says:

      LOL!

    • bettyrose says:

      Ha! Wallis is a great name, let’s not even pretend it isn’t. And technically, Wallis is the reason Lizzy is queen – for wooing her uncle away from the throne – and thus that her line is in succession for the throne. Why the heck not honor that with a baby name?

      • COSquared says:

        W.E. died w/o issue, so HMTQ would have still ended up being Queen in 1972. Also, David had always been speculated to being the one who couldn’t have bio. kids.

      • bettyrose says:

        But we don’t know for certain the outcome had there been no Wallis and Edward married a young virgin aristocrat, getting on with his heir-making duties. He may very well have produced offspring, thus no Queen Elizabeth.

      • *North*Star* says:

        Except David reportedly never got any of his mistresses pregnant and Bertie might have had help getting *his* wife pregnant. This is due to both David and Bertie having measles as children which often leaves the victims with fertility issues. So regardless of Wallis (which was her middle name and her mother’s maiden name) the facts point very strongly to David being infertile and the current queen ascending in 1972.

  30. booboobird says:

    now they have the million dollar family, yes?
    congratulations to the Cambridges. Alice would be a nice name. how abut Caroline? it’s princessy enough and you get to honor Ma Middleton.
    happy birthday little princess!

    • DameEdna says:

      In the words of the Beach Boys…..”Caroline, no”.

      The British royal family have long memories and would prefer Caroline of Brunswick to remain lost in the mists of time. Can you imagine the comparisons the tabloids would come up with?

      I like Henrietta but that’s never going to happen either.

      • booboobird says:

        Henrietta is nice.
        I just wish they stopped recycling the usual standard 5 names over and over again. I like Beatrice too. but that is already Andrew’s. and the sad part is no matter what, she’ll be compared to any other royal queen/princess/wannabe when they announce the name.

      • Kori says:

        Caroline has much closer connections than the ill fated Queen. It has a long history in the Cambridge branc as well as the family of Queen Alexandra. Certainly no more unlucky than Charles (lost his head) or Anne (13 kids but they all died and the line went to the Hanovers). Andrew’s namesake was a mess who abandoned his family when his wife was mentally ill. Edward was the name of the Duke of Windsor and some unfortunate kings. Richard (Gloucester) had some bad precedents. Henry/Harry as well.

      • mayamae says:

        I will never understand why Elizabeth gave Charles his name, knowing he couldn’t reign with it. It makes no sense to me. If she wanted him to reign as George, just name him George.

        The women always reign under their own names – yes I know Victoria used her middle name, but it’s the name she always went by. Why this whole game with the males?

      • Bob Loblaw says:

        I thought they picked their name when they ascended to the throne?

      • FLORC says:

        Bob
        Yes and No. Charles has his name. When he takes the throne he will choose a name to reign. He certainly wouldn’t want to the another King Charles. That last 2 didn’t work out so well…

    • notasugarhere says:

      Ties to Princess Caroline of Monaco which the BRF might think undesirable.

      • DameEdna says:

        I agree, Kori……but Prinny’s Caroline is usually the one that springs to mind. Or perhaps that’s just me! I always think nothing becomes the royals so well as a scandal.

        Anyway, these days Caroline is too middle class….something they’ll want to avoid. Call her Leonora and be done with it.

      • LAK says:

        Mayamae: Charles *is* called George. To be exact; Charles Philip Arthur George, so he isn’t pulling that name out of thin air as far as potentially calling himself King George.

    • booboobird says:

      higher powers just spoke to me…it’s going to be princess James. thank you Blake Lively

    • Justme says:

      @mayamae Charles can reign with his name. Charles I may have come to a sticky end (but then so did Edward II and Edward V and that hasn’t stopped all the Edwards since. Henry VI was also murdered but there were two more after him) and Charles II died in his bed. So there is nothing stopping Charles III -except that his mom might outlive him!

  31. wow says:

    Wonderful!

    I am so happy for them!

  32. JenB says:

    I’m so happy for them and excited it’s a girl! Glad all are doing well! May 2nd just seems like a nice day to be born. Congratulations Will and Kate!

  33. Akua says:

    Yay she was born on my birthday.😍😘👼💐🎊🎉

  34. Citresse says:

    Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. I wish the new baby and family, health and happiness!!!

  35. A.Key says:

    I’m amazed so many people actually care!

    WTF

    ps. I expect Sophie Hunter is rushing to check in the maternity ward as we speak, cannot be outshone!

    • kcarp says:

      I usually agree with all the stories about them being lazy mooches, but there is something about a baby that melts the cold heart of us all.

      I think generally everyone who follows Royals truly want the best for them and do actually care about their well being.

      • A.Key says:

        Yeah, I guess I’m shocked so many people actually follow the “royals”. Them and the Kardashians are basically two sides of the same coin to me.

        I don’t care how much class and well-educated lingo you use, you can’t mask the fact you’re pointless and undeservedly privileged.

        Hell, the Kardashians had to work more for their cash than these royals ever did.

        Sweet aristocracy just reproduces behind closed doors, inherits shameless amounts of wealth and privilege and waves to the masses who adore the fact they’re alive and living off of them.

        Okay…

    • Bob Loblaw says:

      Although I am no fan of royalty, it is ridiculous to suggest that the inherited legacy of royalty is equivalent to the Kardashian side show. The royals are born into an existing system that they did not establish, that does not make them the “flip side” of any coin, least of all that manufactured pile of excrement passing for entertainment on E!

      • FLORC says:

        Bob
        And 1 family earns money. The other gets money.
        There are however many points that link the 2 families. It’s been discussed at length. The seperation from from better pr and a class system from different cultures.

  36. Mylene - Montreal says:

    Victoria is pretty

  37. The Original Mia says:

    Congrats! Now off you go to Norfolk.

  38. TaxiMom says:

    Pip pip, cheerio, hip hip hurray and all that but seriously, why is everyone congratulating Kate ( not just on here ) for popping out a boy first and a girl second…Wills should be getting the kudos for that, isn’t sex of the baby determined by the dad’s stuff ( should have paid more attention in biology class )

    • Deedee says:

      Yes, the man’s “contribution” determines the gender of the baby. Couples undergoing IVF can also select gender, either by separating the “contributions” by those that carry X and Y chromosomes, or by testing of the embryos.

      • booboobird says:

        hmm, I always thought it depends on the time of conception. I don’t know why I thought(must have read somewhere) that boy sperm are faster, lighter and shorter living and girl are the opposite. and then depending when the ovulation happens and who reaches it is the outcome. but don’t quote me on this.

      • Deedee says:

        You’re right. That’s why there are more boys than girls born, and why you can separate the XX and XY by weight in the lab.

  39. thomas says:

    Names are tough. Certain names remind me of people. Alice reminds me of the Brady Bunch, Grace reminds me of my toothless, mean aunt.

  40. OTHER RENEE says:

    Lovely news. My bet is still on Mary Diana Elizabeth.

    • maeliz says:

      That sounds good to me

    • Timbuktu says:

      George & Mary does have a good ring to it, better than George and Charlotte or George & Alice (but maybe it’s just me, I think that siblings’ names should “match” in feel).

      • OTHER RENEE says:

        That’s exactly why I went with Mary. I figured if they were going with such an old fashioned name like George, they’d do the same for a girl, and nothing is more old fashioned than Mary. (I do like the name Charlotte so much better though.)

      • Justme says:

        I love the name Mary. It is actually not that common anymore and is not “trendy”. Of course it is my daughter’s mother’s and grandmothers’ (both of them!) name as well as the name of the Queen of Heaven so I am prejudiced here!

        Whatever they call her I wish her a happy and long life😄

    • Greta says:

      Mary Elizabeth Diana sounds really nice. They can nickname her Lizzie when young, or more formally Mary Elizabeth.

  41. Tracy says:

    Frances and Alice are too ‘granny’ as names. And the Queen will never allow the girl to be named after the hated Diana. Elizabeth is a big snooze and Charlotte is hokey. So there’s that.

  42. Kori says:

    I’m betting on some 3 name combo of Chatlotte, Caroline, Alice, Mary, Victoria, Elizabeth–with France’s as a dark horse.

  43. Rachel says:

    Diana – buried somewhere in the slew of middle names would be nice…

  44. Krishan says:

    Congrats!

    I’ll stick to an old prediction for names for a princess:

    Victoria Frances Elizabeth

    I don’t see them naming the baby after grandparents. They didn’t do it with George. I doubt they’d do it now.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      This is a dumb question, but was George named after his great-great-grandfather? Or some other King George? Or all of them?

      • Krishan says:

        That was never revealed since they didn’t give reasons for giving George his names. I remember people being taken by surprise because almost everyone was betting on Charles, Henry, and Phillip as possible names for the baby.

        George Alexander Louis came out of left field lol

        George could very well be after his royal ancestors, esp. great-great grandfather George VI but even George VI went by Bertie and only adopted George VI as King.

        Alexander…there are some Alexandras in the royal family past and present but I doubt William is that deep into family history to consider an ancestor for inspiration. Maybe it’s a name Kate liked?

        Louis could be after the future Duke of Westminster’s and George’s godfather, Hugh. William is very close to the Grosvenors and it was with them that William went to Spain last year (with Jecca, too)

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        Thank you! Very interesting.

      • *North*Star* says:

        GoodNames,

        It was reported that George’s name was in honour of the Queen’s father but all three names also have strong Spencer ties too. In fact, all of the three names are of current Spencer cousins, in addition to the obvious Royal and Mountbatten references. So his name has deep ties all over William’s side of the family.

      • notasugarhere says:

        From the DM at the time of his birth

        “While there will be much speculation as to the inspiration behind the names, palace officials were quick to insist it was simply ‘because they liked them – no more no less’.”

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        Thank you for taking the time to answer!

  45. Citresse says:

    William just left the hospital 2 min ago

  46. Darling says:

    Congrats to them but this new born baby who has no effect on America whatsoever is NOT more important than the protests going on across the country and everything surrounding the Freddie Gray case and police brutality. I would think that situation deserves more attention than overseas gossip.

    • Brittany says:

      Who said it was more important than protests and police brutality and Freddie Gray (and Mike Brown and Ferguson and Syria and war and everything else that the news focuses on?) It is okay to be happy about cute news such as this. I highly doubt the US media is going to completely ignore the situations going on elsewhere to wax poetic about the royal baby. Nothing wrong with a GOSSIP site focusing on something such as this over police brutality. This website isn’t CNN, this is a gossip site about celebrities.

    • Tough Cookie says:

      But this new born baby DOES have an effect on the US. Some Americans are crazy about the royals. And whether or not you like it this is international news, not overseas gossip.

      • Brittany says:

        Right, and this is a celebrity gossip site. So I don’t understand why the comment about how we should be focusing on Baltimore LOL

    • Brittany says:

      And, just to be sure, I turned on CNN and the first thing after commercial was about Baltimore. So far nothing about the royal baby. I see nothing wrong with focusing on something good for a change though. But again, this is a gossip site LOL

    • A.Key says:

      Yeah, hate to break it to you, but unfortunately this pointless piece of information about a woman giving birth to a child is headline news worldwide. Yep, I’m not kidding. It’s true. Not just in America or UK.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      Darling, let’s hope that she grows up in a more equitable, peaceful world.

    • dottie says:

      @darling, this is a celebrity gossip site. I come from here to read about celebrities to take a break from watching and reading all the bad news. This was definitely not the first, most talked about thing on the news and news websites.

      Although the royals aren’t American, they have plenty of people who are interested in them. It was nice to see the day start with happy news

    • Imo says:

      Darling
      How did you come to click on this link, then?

      • Greta says:

        I remember how joyous Diana and Charles’ wedding was, the whole world watched and reveled in the beauty and pageantry. Quite surprising and lovely. We are starved for happiness as much as we are overwhelmed by ugliness in the news daily. The Royal Family is not so much my interest as is the beauty of life, and the happy, relieved face of Kate holding her healthy baby daughter! Just as I did 30 years ago:)

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        Sweet, Greta.

    • Bob Loblaw says:

      Why come to a celebrity gossip site and make such an inane comment? You obviously don’t give a damn about the issue, since you’re here wasting time and energy scolding us. Troll.

  47. Tough Cookie says:

    Yay!! for some reason I want to call the baby Wiglet. Waity and Willy and Wimpy and Wiglet. (not saying PG is wimpy in character….for some reason he reminds me of Wimpy in the Popeye cartoons.)
    Today is Kentucky Derby Day so I will have a mint julep in their honor. Two actually, since I was already planning on having one. I’m off to muddle the mint (from my garden of course) and make simple syrup. I’ll make a pitcher of them if anyone cares to join me!! 😉
    And I’m going with Princess Esmerelda Carole Yvonne. Not that there is a chance in hell but I like it.

  48. Tigriski says:

    “A 2012 intervention by the Queen also means that the new baby will automatically become an HRH – Her Royal Highness – and be permitted to take the title of princess.
    As the second child of the second heir to the throne she would, until then, only have been a Lady.”

    I don’t get it, Andrew’s daughters are Princesses, and they are further from the Crown than this new royal baby?

    • bluhare says:

      Children of a sovereign’s male child, as opposed to children of a sovereign’s grandchild. That’s the difference.

    • Tia says:

      Apparently, the children of the sons of the Monarch automatically become Princes and Princesses but the great grandchildren don’t. Therefore, as George and his sister are closer to the throne than Beatrice and Eugenie, the Queen has intervened so they don’t end up with lesser titles.

      • Ellen says:

        The HRH change was a response to HM’s long life. William’s younger kids would have become HRH when Charles was crowned king anyway, this just sped it up.

    • *North*Star* says:

      Yep. If Harry marries and has children, they will only be Lords/Ladies as male-line great-grandchildren of the Sovereign. Until Charles ascends to the throne — then they ‘step-up’ to HRH’s like the Yorks. Or like the Wessex’s but they chose otherwise.

      The rules are that the children and male-line grandchildren are automatically HRH Prince/Princess, and originally the eldest son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales was too until the Queen modified it to extend to all William’s children. All male-line great-grandchildren are titled the same as children of a duke (see Prince Michael of Kent).

  49. minxx says:

    I’m really happy it’s a girl, seems like both William and Charles really wanted a girl and it’s just nice to have one of each :). My bet is on Elizabeth Alexandra Mary or Mary Elizabeth Diana.

  50. Stephanie says:

    Yay! A girl for the Cambridges!

    My duty is done! Quick, off to Mustique! Lol 😉

  51. nicegirl says:

    Congratulations!!!

    Best wishes to the entire family, and lots of love to our darling NEW BIG BROTHER Georgie!

  52. CONGRATULATIONS WILL and KATE!!

  53. wolfpup says:

    LAK? LAK? Are you busy?

  54. Janie says:

    Congrats on the new baby daughter! George has no idea how his little life just changed! Wonderful news!!

  55. Caroline says:

    Congratulations! Well done!

  56. Paige says:

    I’m very happy they have a little girl. Congrats to William and Kate!
    My cousin’s birthday is today and she kept saying they would have their baby on her birthday. She was right! Her mother’s birthday is July 22, Prince George’s birthday.

  57. Amanda says:

    Poor baby girl! Even in the day who she was born Prince George stole her thunder

  58. Question now says:

    Picture: Kate in white coat.
    Did she get fillers? The lines around her eyes are nearly all but gone and she has barely gained any weight which could be blamed …

    And she is dying her hair while pregnant, right? Else those roots would be way bigger.

    • Imo says:

      When pregnant she uses Hehna. Don’t know much about cosmetic procedures so can’t say about the fillers.

    • FLORC says:

      Yes, she colors her hair while pregnant. Otherwise she’d show a lot of grays. No shame in that. I love grays and think it looks great. Age naturally.

      And fillers? No. Likley not anyways. Right now those pictures are touched up like many photos of hers. She has deep wrinkles and poor skin from sun and cigarette damage. Those when she gains even the slightest bit of weight it brings her closer to a healthy image. The lines smooth out dramatically. And outside of that she has botoxed in the past. Obviously not while pregnant.

      And Imo is right about the hehna.

  59. notasugarhere says:

    Let’s see if this gets through the fourth time. Bob, I believe I do know their actions fairly well. I do not see wisdom and compassion in these two. I see a supreme reluctance to work for their dinner, and that work involves a caring that these two just do not possess.