After spending two weeks at the hospital for abdominal surgery, Kate Middleton has finally returned home to Adelaide Cottage to be with her family. The fact that she can now travel is a positive sign of her recovery, and she can also spend time with her three children at Anmer Hall during their half-term break.
While Kate has always expressed her dislike for staying in hospitals, she has had to spend quite a bit of time there over the years, especially during the births of her three children. However, when Prince George was born in 2013, there was one surprising thing she wasn’t allowed to do – call her own mother.
Kate Middleton spent two weeks at The London Clinic before being able to see her children again, and we can all agree that two weeks without one’s own kids is never easy for any parent.
Pregnancy Struggles and Acute Morning Sickness
Life can now return to normal for Kate, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Royal life may be extraordinary, but Prince William and Kate have always strived to give their children as normal a childhood as possible. One significant challenge they faced was during Kate’s pregnancies, particularly when she was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition characterized by acute morning sickness. Her experience with this illness affected her ability to enjoy her pregnancy and caused her to cancel a royal tour in 2014.
During a visit to the Orchards Centre in Kent, Kate spoke openly about her struggle with acute morning sickness, empathizing with a father whose wife went through the same thing. She expressed, “I went through that. I know what that feels like.”
Kate also shared her experience on Giovanna Fletcher’s podcast, Happy Mum, Happy Baby. She described her pregnancy as “utterly rotten” and revealed that she wasn’t able to eat properly throughout. Despite her own suffering, she marveled at how her body was able to take the necessary nutrients and grow new life. She also mentioned that William felt helpless during this time.
The Challenges of Labor and the Blessing of an Ending
Kate found some relief in meditation and deep breathing techniques, which she learned from hypnobirthing. She admitted that during her pregnancy, she “quite liked” the labor experience because she knew it would eventually come to an end. However, she emphasized that every pregnancy and birth is different, and not everyone has an easy time.
Having gone through acute morning sickness in all three pregnancies, Kate acknowledged the impact it has on the entire family. The challenges of being pregnant and welcoming a newborn baby affect everyone involved.
The Terrifying Yet Joyful Moment of Leaving the Hospital
When Prince George was born, Kate and William faced the challenge of leaving the hospital with their newborn baby while thousands of people awaited news and glimpses of the young prince. Kate admitted that it was a “slightly terrifying” experience but one that she believed was important to share with the public. Following in the footsteps of her late mother-in-law, Diana, Princess of Wales, Kate posed on the hospital steps with her baby.
Despite the excitement and support from the public, Kate revealed that she and William had mixed emotions. The uncertainty of being first-time parents combined with leaving the hospital with their newborn made the experience overwhelming.
While recalling her experience, Kate didn’t specifically remember how long she stayed in the hospital before posing on the Lindo Wing steps. The hot weather and thunderstorms also contributed to a sleepless night. She was eager to return home quickly because being in the hospital reminded her of her previous sickness, and she wanted to get back to a sense of normality.
Royal Rules and Queen Elizabeth’s Role
As with any royal birth, security and privacy are of utmost importance. Royal protocol dictates that no one can know about the birth of a future monarch until the current monarch, in this case, Queen Elizabeth, is informed. These rules meant that Kate couldn’t even inform her own parents, relatives, or friends until the queen had received the news.
Prince William had to follow this protocol and used a specially encrypted phone to inform Queen Elizabeth of Prince George’s birth. Once the news reached her, Kate was free to share the joy with her loved ones.
The Naming Process and the Queen’s Consent
Another important royal rule that Prince William and Kate had to follow was obtaining the current monarch’s consent for the chosen name. For a future monarch, like Prince George, the name had to be approved by Queen Elizabeth. In the case of Prince George, the name was indeed approved.
The tradition of bestowing multiple names upon royal children in the line of succession also continued. Prince George’s full name is George Alexander Louis, while his siblings have multiple names as well.
Choosing the Name with the Help of a Beloved Family Pet
Deciding on a name for their firstborn child was not an easy task for Prince William and Kate. To simplify the process, they enlisted the help of their beloved dog, Lupo. They wrote potential names on scraps of paper and placed them on the floor. They observed which name Lupo gravitated toward, and when he selected George, the couple knew their decision was made.
Although Lupo has since passed away, the family welcomed a new cocker spaniel puppy named Orla into their lives. This furry companion will surely bring joy and love to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis as they grow up together.
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