The decision Princess Diana made about William’s birth that “wrote royal history”
On June 21, 1982, Princess Diana gave birth to the heir to the British throne, Prince William.
And now, a biography has touched on the controversial decision Diana made in the lead-up to the delivery – the location she would give birth to her son.
Royal insider Katie Nicholl revealed in her book The Making of a Royal Romance, that Diana’s decision to give birth to William in a hospital, rather than Buckingham Palace, “wrote royal history”.
While Duchess Kate has given birth to all three of her children in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, prior to Diana, it was tradition to give birth in Buckingham Palace.
“Diana had written royal history when on Monday 21 June 1982, the summer solstice, Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales was born in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital," she wrote.
“Like generations of royals before him, his father Prince Charles had been delivered in the Belgian Suit at Buckingham Palace, but Diana, as the royal family quickly discovered, wanted to do things differently."
Nicholl explained that Diana had a difficult pregnancy and suffered from morning sickness, a possible reason why she pressed to have her first child in a hospital.
While Kate followed in Diana’s footsteps, according to Vanity Fair, Meghan may opt for a home birth if she doesn’t choose the Lindo Wing.
Once Meghan gives birth to her child with Prince Harry, the first person that must be notified is the Queen.
After the family are told of the news, town crier Tony Appleton will announce it to the public.
The tradition, which stems from medieval times, involves a billboard with the announcement being placed outside Buckingham Palace.