Prince William and Kate Middleton’s Unexpected Job Titles on Prince Louis’s Birth Certificate
As Prince Louis celebrates his sixth birthday today, a glimpse into the formalities surrounding his birth unveils some surprising details about his parents, Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Born on April 23, 2018, at St Mary’s Hospital in London, Prince Louis became the third child and youngest offspring of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Despite the royal status of his parents, certain standard procedures were adhered to, including the registration of his birth.
In the days following Louis’s arrival, Prince William took on the responsibility of registering his son’s birth and completing the necessary paperwork at Kensington Palace. The official document not only recorded the date and place of the baby’s birth but also revealed his full name and title – His Royal Highness Prince Louis Arthur Charles of Cambridge.
Interestingly, the birth certificate also provided insight into William and Kate’s occupations, listing them as ‘Prince’ and ‘Princess of the United Kingdom’, respectively. Furthermore, it documented their places of birth – Paddington for the Duke and Reading for the Duchess – along with the family’s address at Kensington Palace.
The inclusion of the parents’ occupations on the birth certificate is noteworthy, especially considering historical practices. Unlike William and Kate’s birth certificates, where there was no provision for the mother’s occupation, the introduction of this detail was not standardized until 1984.
Despite their royal status, the Duke and Duchess followed the legal requirement to register their son’s birth within 42 days, completing the process just eight days after Louis was born. However, unlike most parents who visit a register office, a registrar traveled to Kensington Palace to facilitate the registration, ensuring convenience for the royal couple.
This personalized service aligns with previous instances of royal birth registrations, where registrars have visited the royal residences to record the births of Prince George and Princess Charlotte. For Prince George, the registration occurred 11 days after his birth, while Princess Charlotte’s birth was registered just three days after her arrival.
The delay in announcing Prince Louis’ name also drew attention, with the Duke and Duchess waiting four days before revealing it to the public. Ultimately, the couple delightedly announced their son’s name as Louis Arthur Charles, officially designating him as His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge.
As Prince Louis’ birthday festivities unfold, these glimpses into the formalities surrounding his birth provide a fascinating insight into the traditions and protocols observed by the British royal family.
Prince Louis is celebrating his sixth birthday today.
— Royal Central (@RoyalCentral) April 23, 2024
Happy Birthday! pic.twitter.com/u7m9VX230f