In a last-minute change of plan – 30 minutes before the Duke and Duchess told the world that their son had been born – Kensington Palace announced the royal arrival would be declared by email and Twitter first.
And indeed they were:
The Queen and Prince Philip are delighted at the news of the birth of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s baby
— TheBritishMonarchy (@BritishMonarchy) July 22, 2013
Twitter also got Mother’s most anticipated news ( THE BABY’S WEIGHT) which will tell and predict the Mother (KATE’S CONDITION).
William and Kate have already done so much to bring the Royal Family into the 21st century.
And yesterday they once again showed their modern side by using the internet to announce the birth of their son.Using an email and string of tweets, the young couple ensured a historic first for our future king.Until then it had been expected that the traditional easel at Buckingham Palace, used when William was born 31 years ago, would be the way the news was broken.
It was announced in a formal press release by email and then, moments later, at 8.29pm, Clarence House tweeted:
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4.24pm
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) July 22, 2013
A series of tweets then followed, giving more details. The next tweet said: “The baby weighs 8lb 6oz.”
The baby weighs 8lbs 6oz.
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) July 22, 2013
The royals’ techies then confirmed: “The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.”
The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) July 22, 2013
TheY added:
The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry & families have been told and are delighted. — Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) July 22, 2013
It then followed up with: “Her Royal Highness and child are both doing well and will remain in hospital overnight.”
They also encouraged people to join in saying: “Use our hashtag #WelcometotheWorld to tell us about any other new arrivals today – we would love to hear from you! #RoyalBaby.”
It was a far cry from claims made by the Palace in June. At the time a spokesman said the announcement would definitely not be made online and instead issued on the easel outside Buckingham Palace.
Instagram: The announcement of the Royal Baby’s arrival.
The spokesman said then: “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. 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 spokesman even added: “It is very important that it will not be announced first on Twitter, although it will be announced on Twitter in due course.” It was not until 8.48pm that the message was finally posted on the easel outside Buckingham Palace.
But it did not matter to the millions of people across the world eagerly waiting news of the royal baby. The message was rapidly re-tweeted around the globe, spreading the good news.
Twitter was awash with congratulations several minutes before the formal announcement, contained in a leather bound red folder, was carried out of the Lindo Wing’s front door and placed in a waiting Jaguar with a Kensington Palace orderly and a police officer. A town crier also confirmed the announcement with pomp and ceremony outside the hospital.
Town Crier: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge gives birth to a baby boy.
Kensington Palace briefed the media on the hasty changes to announcing the birth at around 8pm, saying: “This alteration has been made to ensure that the announcement is made as quickly as possible.”
There were cheers of delight as the news a new prince, who will be called the Prince of Cambridge, rippled around the crowd of 250 outside. The 200 photographers outside St Mary’s Hospital captured the emotional scenes of celebration.
In a statement, US president Barack Obama said:
“Michelle and I are so pleased to congratulate The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the joyous occasion of the birth of their first child. We wish them all the happiness and blessings parenthood brings. The child enters the world at a time of promise and opportunity for our two nations. Given the special relationship between us, the American people are pleased to join with the people of the United Kingdom as they celebrate the birth of the young prince.”
