Royal watchers will vividly recall this time last year, when the world's media gathered outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington awaiting the arrival of William and Kate's first baby and the future heir to the throne. It was dubbed "The Great Kate Wait" by the press who took up residence outside the hospital for two weeks.
On the 22 July 2013 shortly after 5.30 a.m. reports began to surface that Kate had been admitted to hospital in the early stages of labour. There was enormous excitement as the news was confirmed by the Palace.
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| David Wilkinson CNN Twitter Feed |
At 8.30 p.m. that evening the Palace released a statement reading: "The Duchess of Cambridge has been safely delivered of a son at 4.24 p.m. The baby weights 8 lbs 6oz". William and Kate decided to wait for four hours before telling the press their joyous news. It gave the couple time to share the news with their families and to enjoy those first precious hours with their baby. In a brief but perfectly apt statement William said, "We couldn't be happier."
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| Kensington Palace |
The next evening, following a visit from Prince Charles and Michael and Carole Middleton, proud parents William and Kate presented their son Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge to the world. The Duke and Duchess looked overjoyed as they walked out onto the steps of the Lindo Wing.
A thrilled William and Kate walked over to the press pen and spoke about their son:
One-day-old Prince George.
The headlines the next day were dominated by only one story.
The trio spent the night at their then Kensington Palace home, two-bedroom Nottingham Cottage, where The Queen and Prince Harry met Baby George. The Cambridges decided to spend their first weeks with George at the Middleton family home in the leafy village of Bucklebury. The Palace revealed, "They are keen to enjoy some private time together, like any new family. They want to get to know their son." Kate is incredibly close to her family and William equally so, so it was no surprise they wanted to enjoy such an important time with them.
As we know William and Kate are fiercely protective of their privacy and the Middleton's Georgian mansion offered an escape from the press and paparazzi in London. Kate's parents purchased the seven-bedroom manor in 2012. The well-protected home boasts a tennis court, an outdoor swimming pool, scenic gardens and a nursery decorated by Carole.
It is understood they enjoyed a wonderful time in Bucklebury where Michael Middleton took the first official photos of his grandson... later revealed to some rather harsh criticism (Ok, Ok, perhaps from the view of professional photography they weren't perfect, but there was something rather charming about seeing the new grandfather's snaps).
George's birth certificate was formally registered at the beginning of August listing his parents' occupations as 'Prince and Princess of the United Kingdom.'
When William's leave ended, the couple took George to their Anglesey farmhouse where Prince William completed his time as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot. The family enjoyed the normality and privacy they have always loved the scenic island for, with strolls on the beach and hosted family dinners when the Middletons visited. Kate would later reveal "William was a away a lot when George was young. The first five months were tough but you just get by". In mid-August it was reported William's old nanny Jessie Webb had come out of retirement to help the couple as they made the transition to living full-time in London and leaving Anglesey permanently.
We next saw Prince George on 23 October for his christening at The Chapel Royal, St James's Palace. A christening is always a special family occasion; exactly what the Duke and Duchess wanted. Opting for an intimate christening they invited just twenty-two guests including their closest relatives and George's godparents. Their closest aide Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, Zara Tindall, Diana's friend Julia Samuel, Hugh Grosvenor, and friends Oliver Baker, Emilia Jardine-Paterson and William van Cutsem.
Kate looked regal in a bespoke cream Alexander McQueen ensemble as she carried her son into the chapel. George was dressed in a hand-made replica of the royal christening robe, made by Angela Kelly, dressmaker to The Queen. The original Honiton lace and satin robe, which is now 172 years old, was last used in 2004, with Lady Louise Windsor being the last royal baby to wear the piece. After years of wear it had become too fragile to use, so in 2008 The Queen commissioned a replica. It features the same length skirt, elaborate collars and bow as its predecessor
As they family settled into full-time life in London Kate returned to royal duties while William began a transitional year which included a ten-week agricultural course at Cambridge University. Christmas was spent with the Royal Family on the Sandringham estate where little George - who according to his parents was quite loud at the time - was the centre of attention. In February, Kate took George to Mustique for the Middletons' annual family holiday.
To mark Mother's Day the Palace released a family photo. The informal family portrait was taken at a window in the family's home, Apartment 1A, Kensington Palace by award-winning photographer Jason Bell. Eight-month-old George looked adorable in a baby blue cashmere jumper with his name embroidered on it.
'The Duchess said: "It's been very emotional. It's very special. Any parent will know what this feeling is like." While Prince William revealed: "He's a big boy, quite heavy. We're still working on a name. He has a pair of lungs on him that's for sure."
Confirming the Prince was overdue the new father said: "I will remind him of his tardiness when he's older," and with a broad smile William added, "He's got her looks thankfully" to which the Duchess replied, "No, no, no, I'm not sure about that." The Prince also jokingly said, "He has more hair than me."
One-day-old Prince George.
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| Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Official Website |
The headlines the next day were dominated by only one story.
The trio spent the night at their then Kensington Palace home, two-bedroom Nottingham Cottage, where The Queen and Prince Harry met Baby George. The Cambridges decided to spend their first weeks with George at the Middleton family home in the leafy village of Bucklebury. The Palace revealed, "They are keen to enjoy some private time together, like any new family. They want to get to know their son." Kate is incredibly close to her family and William equally so, so it was no surprise they wanted to enjoy such an important time with them.
As we know William and Kate are fiercely protective of their privacy and the Middleton's Georgian mansion offered an escape from the press and paparazzi in London. Kate's parents purchased the seven-bedroom manor in 2012. The well-protected home boasts a tennis court, an outdoor swimming pool, scenic gardens and a nursery decorated by Carole.
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| Jill Mason Garden Design |
It is understood they enjoyed a wonderful time in Bucklebury where Michael Middleton took the first official photos of his grandson... later revealed to some rather harsh criticism (Ok, Ok, perhaps from the view of professional photography they weren't perfect, but there was something rather charming about seeing the new grandfather's snaps).
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| Michael Middleton |
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| PA |
When William's leave ended, the couple took George to their Anglesey farmhouse where Prince William completed his time as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot. The family enjoyed the normality and privacy they have always loved the scenic island for, with strolls on the beach and hosted family dinners when the Middletons visited. Kate would later reveal "William was a away a lot when George was young. The first five months were tough but you just get by". In mid-August it was reported William's old nanny Jessie Webb had come out of retirement to help the couple as they made the transition to living full-time in London and leaving Anglesey permanently.
We next saw Prince George on 23 October for his christening at The Chapel Royal, St James's Palace. A christening is always a special family occasion; exactly what the Duke and Duchess wanted. Opting for an intimate christening they invited just twenty-two guests including their closest relatives and George's godparents. Their closest aide Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, Zara Tindall, Diana's friend Julia Samuel, Hugh Grosvenor, and friends Oliver Baker, Emilia Jardine-Paterson and William van Cutsem.
Kate looked regal in a bespoke cream Alexander McQueen ensemble as she carried her son into the chapel. George was dressed in a hand-made replica of the royal christening robe, made by Angela Kelly, dressmaker to The Queen. The original Honiton lace and satin robe, which is now 172 years old, was last used in 2004, with Lady Louise Windsor being the last royal baby to wear the piece. After years of wear it had become too fragile to use, so in 2008 The Queen commissioned a replica. It features the same length skirt, elaborate collars and bow as its predecessor
As they family settled into full-time life in London Kate returned to royal duties while William began a transitional year which included a ten-week agricultural course at Cambridge University. Christmas was spent with the Royal Family on the Sandringham estate where little George - who according to his parents was quite loud at the time - was the centre of attention. In February, Kate took George to Mustique for the Middletons' annual family holiday.
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| Hello! Magazine |
To mark Mother's Day the Palace released a family photo. The informal family portrait was taken at a window in the family's home, Apartment 1A, Kensington Palace by award-winning photographer Jason Bell. Eight-month-old George looked adorable in a baby blue cashmere jumper with his name embroidered on it.
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| Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Official Website |
George's trip to Mustique was thought to be in preparation for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's royal tour of New Zealand and Australia. The much-anticipated tour offered the public the opportunity to really see the adorable tot interacting with his parents for the first time.
The tour itinerary was planned with George in mind and included only two evening engagements. An engagement was planned in both countries to include George and as you all know, they turned out to be the most popular of the tour.
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The couple decided in advance they would be taking their son with them and hired Spanish nanny Maria Tereasa Turrion Borrallo as a full-time, live-in nanny to accompany them on the trip. Maria Tereasa, who trained at the prestigious Norland College, was said to be "happy and delighted she came on board".
Little George quickly became affectionately known as "Cheeks" among royal fans and very much stole the show throughout the tour.
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The highlight of the tour for me was the family trip the trio enjoyed at Taronga Zoo where George met a bilby much to his delight. This photo is perhaps my favourite of William, Kate and George taken thus far.
Despite the extraordinary circumstances, William and Kate enjoy as normal a life as possible in London with George. William is said to take his son for very early morning walks through Kensington Gardens at 5.30. Kate had been photographed enjoying strolls in the park with her son several times.
Weekends are regularly spent with the Middleton family. Recently during a weekend in Buckelbury they all enjoyed a family day out at Bucklebury Farm Park managing to go relatively unnoticed and unphotographed. The park offers a magical experience and a great day out for the whole family. If George's reaction to the bilby is any indication, we can guess he thoroughly enjoyed meeting all the animals.
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| Bucklebury Farm Park |
For Father's Day Kate and George supported William at a charity polo match. The little Prince had a blast crawling and walking as he held on to his mother's hand.
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As George approaches his first birthday later this month it appears it will be another busy year for the Cambridges. It is very much thought Prince William's transitional year has led to a decision that royal life is not for him just yet, and he is expected to take a full-time post with the East Anglia Air Ambulance in the autumn. This will most likely see a reduction in royal duties for the couple as they base themselves at their Georgian home on the Queen's Sandringham Estate - Anmer Hall. Extensive renovations and security measures have been underway ensuring the family home is ready for the trio come September.
It would seem a life away from the public and media glare is what the couple want for themselves and George, meaning full-time royal duties for William and Kate are most likely years off. A senior royal aide recently told journalist Richard Palmer "Their staff are looking for any excuse to stop off-duty photos of the family being published". With privacy at the forefront in their minds, this is not a surprising move, however, it is one that will bring criticism from many who believe it is time William and Kate took on a larger schedule of duties. With a move to the country on the horizon, it is also quite possible George will have a brother or sister in 2015.
We expect George's first birthday will be a memorable family affair celebrated with their nearest and dearest. It is believed the couple are planning a "low-key family celebration". Pippa Middleton wrote a piece offering tips for a one-year-old's birthday on the Party Pieces website: "Your one-year-old will feel most at ease with people they know well, so keep their first birthday party familiar and intimate".
Royal fans are in for a treat this month as a portrait will be released to mark the Prince's first birthday. We've heard rumours speculating the family's recent trip to the Natural History Museum's Butterfly Exhibit may have something to do with this...
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| Emily Rickard Twitter Feed |
We wish Prince George a very, very happy first birthday next week!
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