Kate Middleton had to follow strict rule after birth of her three children with William

Kate Middleton had to follow a strict rule after giving birth to her three children, including Prince George, it is has emerged.

Kate, now Princess of Wales, had to wait to tell her own parents and friends of the news because of the royal protocol. Rules around the births of a future monarch state the current monarch must be informed of the development before anyone, including other members of the royal family, are told. In this instance, Kate and Prince William had to inform Queen Elizabeth II of George’s birth before anybody else. The Queen rejoiced in the birth of her third great-grandchild on July 22, 2013 after George’s birth at St Mary’s Hospital in London.

Those in the delivery room at the NHS hospital in Paddington were also sworn to secrecy, reports claim. It is believed Prince William – the now next-in-line to the throne – called his grandmother from a specially encrypted phone, from the hospital, to break the good news. And, as is the case with any direct heir to the throne, the Queen had to approve William and Kate’s choice of name, it is reported.

This, again, is part of royal protocol. George, who turned 10 earlier this year, has grown up being photographed on royal tours, on official outings, and in family portraits as he will one day be king. He became an older brother for the first time in May 2015 when Kate gave birth to Princess Charlotte at the same hospital.

And, in April 2018, Kate welcomed Prince Louis, her and William’s third child. On each of these two subsequent occasions, Kate had to again keep the news quiet from her family and friends until the monarch – Queen Elizabeth II – was informed.