The late Princess Diana pioneered a significant shift in royal birthing traditions, paving the way for her daughter-in-law, Princess Kate. Unlike the Queen, who gave birth to her four children at Buckingham Palace, Diana opted to deliver Prince William and Prince Harry at the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital. This decision marked a historic moment, as Prince William became the first heir-apparent to be born in a hospital setting.
Two years after Prince William’s birth, Diana returned to the Lindo Wing for the arrival of her second child, Prince Harry. Princess Kate has followed in Diana’s footsteps, choosing the same hospital for the births of her three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Prince George, as the future King, was born at the Lindo Wing in July 2013, continuing the precedent set by his late grandmother.
Diana’s decision to break from the traditional royal birthing protocol opened the door for a more modern approach, one that Princess Kate has embraced. This shift not only reflects changing societal norms but also highlights the evolving nature of the royal family in adapting to contemporary practices.
The Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital in London has long been a favored destination for members of the British Royal Family and other high-profile individuals seeking a discreet and exclusive maternity experience. Notably, Princess Diana gave birth to both Prince William and Prince Harry at this esteemed facility, and more recently, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, welcomed her three children there.
Discretion and privacy are paramount at the Lindo Wing, with each new mother ensconced in her own en-suite room equipped with high-speed internet, radio, safe, fridge, and television. The rooms are designed to be comfortable and functional, without opulence. Meals are prepared by chefs, and a waiter takes orders for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each morning. A wine and champagne list is available for celebratory toasts, and the option of afternoon tea is offered.
While the accommodations are not extravagant, the cost of a stay at the Lindo Wing is substantial, with rooms reportedly starting at a minimum of £5,215 per night, and suites available upon application, said to cost around £10,000 per night ($14,0445). This exclusivity and discretion have made the Lindo Wing a highly sought-after destination for not only the Royal Family but also other high-profile individuals, such as Amal Clooney, who gave birth to her twins there.
The birth of Princess Kate’s children was a highly anticipated event, and as such, a team of top medical professionals was assembled to ensure the utmost care and safety. This team consisted of 20 highly skilled individuals, including the Queen’s surgeon-gynecologist Alan Farthing, the Royal Family’s surgeon-gynecologist Guy Thorpe-Beeston, neonatologist and pediatrician Dr. Sunit Godambe, physician to the Queen and head of the medical household Professor Huw Thomas, and a team of midwives, including Jacqui Dunkley-Bent and Arona Ahmed.
While not all of them were present on the day of the birth, the team was meticulously prepared for any potential complication. As Professor Tiong Ghee Teoh, a consultant obstetrician and gynecologist, explained after the birth of Princess Charlotte, “We had a huge team. For anything that could possibly go wrong, we had a team of people behind each specialty. Everyone was sworn to secrecy about who it was.”
The medical staff’s dedication was unwavering, with anesthesiologist Dr. Johanna Bray revealing, “We were on call for three months. You never know when you need to be called—you need to be in town and available. If you are at a party, you need to have your car keys at the ready. No drinking!”
