Today, as Prince Louis celebrates his sixth birthday, a glance back at his birth certificate reveals some intriguing details about his parents, Prince William and Princess Kate.
The document, which became public following the royal baby’s arrival on April 23, 2018, shed light on the official job titles of the Prince and Princess of Wales, much to the surprise of many.
Like any new parents, William and Kate had to complete the necessary paperwork after Louis was born.
He entered the world at 11:01 AM at St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, weighing a healthy 8 pounds and 7 ounces.
Just days after his birth, Prince William confirmed the baby’s full name, which was officially recorded as His Royal Highness Prince Louis Arthur Charles of Cambridge.
What caught the public’s attention was the entry for William and Kate’s occupations: “Prince and Princess of the United Kingdom.”
This unexpected designation raised eyebrows and sparked conversations about their roles within the royal family.
In the UK, parents typically have 42 days to register their child’s birth, but the royal couple managed to do so within just eight days.
This promptness is notable when compared to their previous experiences.
For instance, they registered Prince George’s birth 11 days after he was born and Princess Charlotte‘s just three days post-delivery.
Unlike most parents who must visit registration offices, William signed the certificate from the comfort of Kensington Palace, where a registrar made a house call.
Interestingly, the birth certificate of Princess Diana did not include her occupation when she gave birth to Prince William in 1982.
At that time, the inclusion of a mother’s job title wasn’t standard practice; it wasn’t until 1984 that this detail became customary on birth certificates.
Shortly after Louis’s birth, Kensington Palace released a statement announcing his name.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge expressed their joy in revealing that their son would be called Louis Arthur Charles.
The choice of the name Louis is particularly significant, as it honors Lord Louis Mountbatten, a beloved uncle of Prince Philip who tragically lost his life in an IRA bombing in 1979.
Arthur, on the other hand, has a rich royal history, having been the name of King Henry VIII’s first son, who died young.
Furthermore, Louis also pays homage to his grandfather, King Charles.
The selection of these names reflects the family’s deep-rooted traditions and connections to British history.
To ensure that Louis received a royal title, the late Queen Elizabeth II had to amend a long-standing rule established by King George V in 1917.
This regulation stipulated that only children directly in line to the throne and their grandchildren would be granted the title of prince or princess.
However, Queen Elizabeth altered this century-old policy, allowing Prince William and Princess Kate’s children to enjoy their titles as well.
Related Stories
