Prince Louis is celebrating his six birthday today, and while there are different protocols surrounding the arrival of a royal baby, there are some things all parents have to do
It’s a big week for little Prince Louis. Today on 23 April, he will celebrate his sixth birthday, with his proud parents no doubt ready to pull out all the stops for his special day.
Louis was born at St Mary’s Hospital, London, at 11:01am, William and Kate’s third and youngest child. And while there are different protocols surrounding the arrival of a royal baby, there are some things that all parents have to do – even if you are the future King and Queen.
In the days following Louis’s safe arrival, his father Prince William registered his birth, signing the paperwork at Kensington Palace.
The official document listed the baby’s date and place of birth as 23 April 2018, St Mary’s Hospital, Praed Street, Westminster. It also confirmed the newborn’s full name and surname – His Royal Highness Prince Louis Arthur Charles of Cambridge.
William and Kate’s occupations were also recorded on the paperwork. The surprising entry states they are ‘Prince’ and ‘Princess of the United Kingdom’, respectively, while their places of birth – Paddington for the Duke and Reading for the Duchess – are also documented. The baby’s address is the family’s home, Kensington Palace.
Interestingly, when William’s own birth certificate was signed in 1982, there was no box for Princess Diana’s occupation. The mother’s occupation was not introduced to birth certificates until 1984.
Parents in the UK legally have 42 days to officially register a child’s birth, although William and Kate registered their son’s arrival eight days after he was born.
Unlike most parents, the royals did not have to wait in line at the register office. A registrar travelled to Kensington Palace where William signed the document from the comfort of his home. Westminster City Council registrar Alison Cathcart was on hand when Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s births were officially recorded.
After George was born, Ms Cathcart said: “It was a pleasure. Westminster City Council registered the birth of the Queen and Prince Charles and Princes William and Harry, so it’s great to see that tradition continue.”
William and Kate registered George 11 days after he was born. In contrast, they registered Charlotte’s birth just three days after she arrived on 2 May 2015.
While the Duke and Duchess announced their elder children’s names just two days after the birth, the couple waited four days before revealing Louis’. William had admitted they were still “working” on a name.
A statement later confirmed: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their son Louis Arthur Charles. The baby will be known as His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge.”
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