Royal baby: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to break tradition and announce birth on Twitter before Buckingham Palace easel

The public will hear about Prince George's brother or sister on social media

Jess Denham
Tuesday 28 April 2015 12:00 BST
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hold Prince George as he makes his first public appearance in July 2013
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hold Prince George as he makes his first public appearance in July 2013

Anyone planning on rushing down to Buckingham Palace to learn of the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s new royal baby need not bother.

In an oh-so-modern break with tradition, the news will be announced first on Twitter because it’s the 21st century so really, where else?

Yes, royal devotees will find out the sex of the ‘spare heir’ with the help of a hashtag (#royalbaby, naturally), before the formal notice signed by doctors reaches that famous easel by the palace gates.

The baby’s big brother Prince George was born on 22 July 2013 and a press release was emailed to journalists.

There will be less pomp around the delivery of the certificate this time however, as it will likely arrive at the palace in an unmarked car having left via the side door of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington.

“We wanted to retain some of the theatre of the notice. It is quite important to us that this is done properly and with the degree of dignity that the event demands,” a palace spokesperson said after Prince George’s birth.

“This is the birth of a child who will be in line to the throne. It is a rare occasion and it is nice to be able to do it with some historical precedence.”

The ‘Great Kate Wait’ is in full swing, with a girl called Alice the punters’ favourite at the bookies. The Duchess is believed to be up to four days overdue, with many believing the blue-blooded baby will arrive on 29 April, her fourth wedding anniversary.

Those of you on #babywatch (apparently you’re out there…) best keep an eye on @KensingtonRoyal Twitter and Instagram accounts in the coming days. In the meantime, read our pre-emptive royal baby article here.

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