How will the royal baby’s arrival be announced?
Confirmation will come in a statement to the press and on Twitter, and then a formal notice will be placed on show at Buckingham Palace.
Now that the Duchess of Cambridge is in labour, the wait is on for the official announcement of the royal baby’s birth.
Just like with Prince George and Princess Charlotte, news of the arrival of a new prince or princess will be emailed to the press by Kensington Palace, coinciding with confirmation of the birth via Twitter by @KensingtonRoyal.
The statement traditionally takes the form of saying the Duchess has been “safely delivered” of a son or a daughter, stating the time of birth and the weight of the baby.
It also usually reveals whether William was present at Kate’s side, which he is due to be, whether mother and baby are doing well, and how the news has been shared with delighted family members.
The arrival of the Cambridges’ third child will also be marked with a traditional bulletin on show at Buckingham Palace.
Just as when George and Charlotte were born, the age-old custom of placing a paper proclamation for the public to see at the Queen’s London residence will be carried out.
It used to be hand-written, but is now typed.
It will also be signed at the hospital by the doctors who tended to the duchess, and then ferried back to the Palace by car.
The names given to royal babies are not usually revealed straight away, and the public is often left guessing for several days.
William and Kate took two days to announce both George and Charlotte’s names, informing the Queen of their choice beforehand.
Mike and Zara Tindall used Twitter to unveil their daughter’s name six days after she was born in 2014, with the proud father tweeting: “For everyone who has asked what our daughter’s name is, it’s Mia Grace Tindall.”
When Princess Beatrice was born in 1988, it was two weeks before her name was known.
In 1982, the Prince and Princess of Wales waited seven days before deciding upon and announcing Prince William’s name.
The birth will be celebrated with a 41-gun salute in Green Park or Hyde Park – and a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London.
The Queen’s top aide, her private secretary, Edward Young, informs Governor Generals overseas, while announcements are also made on the monarchy’s website and Facebook page.
