It may have been all about his little sister, but Prince George almost stole the show when he turned up unexpectedly at the London hospital where Princess Charlotte was born to see her for the first time. People who’d gathered outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital oohed and aahed when the toddler prince arrived with his dad, Prince William. And he looked a little overwhelmed to see the crowds who had gathered.
The third in line to the throne is not used to this kind of attention, given he’s been kept out of the spotlight for most of his life. In fact, this was his first public appearance in his home country – apart from a brief glimpse as he was carried into his private christening at St James’s Palace in October 2013 – since his parents showed him off to the world in the very same spot nearly two years ago.
A kiss and a wave. Gorgeous George’s blue and white outfit matched his father’s ensemble.
William encouraged his son to wave at the onlookers, then whispered that he had been a good boy, and gave him a kiss on the temple before going through the hospital doors. Being in the public eye is something George is going to have to get used to eventually. In the meantime, he’s going to have to adjust to not being the centre of his parents’ attention now that Charlotte has arrived.
Left: Harry and William having fun with Charles in 1985. Right: The boys with their mother Diana in 1988.
Luckily, granny Carole Middleton will be on hand to lavish attention on him if necessary. Carole is expected to move in to Anmer Hall, Kate and William’s Norfolk home, where they will be based for at least six months. George will also share his nanny Maria Borrallo with his sister for now.
It might be a good few months before the princess is photographed again. When George was tiny, he and his parents went to live with the Middleton family in Bucklebury, so Carole could help Kate with the newborn.
Apart from a family photo taken by Kate’s dad Michael, he wasn’t seen again for three months.
Royal insiders say William has insisted that his family spend as much time as possible at Anmer, where he has a job nearby as an air ambulance pilot. “He wants to live away from the goldfish bowl that is London and give his children a full and happy upbringing – the kind of life that Kate had,” says the source.
Anmer Hall in Norfolk is the perfect place to raise little ones.
