The history of the British monarchy is steeped in rules and tradition, including when it comes to their offspring [1]. Over the years, royal babies — especially those who will one day take the throne [2] — have been born to tremendous fanfare. We've seen gun salutes, easel announcements, and in the cases of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle [3], masses of press and photographers waiting to get a glimpse of the family's newest, tiniest members.
Most recently, Meghan and Prince Harry shook things up by having the proud dad hold his bundle of joy [4] — a statement perfectly in line with the couple's feminist ideals [5] and commitment to bucking gender norms [6]. While impressive, you might be surprised to find out that Harry isn't the first male royal to take over cradling duties during his baby's big reveal! Scroll through to see how royal babies have made their debut over the past several decades.
Princess Elizabeth, April 1926
Princess Elizabeth was the first child born to the then-Duke and Duchess of York, and her birth was commemorated with this sweet family photo. Of course, nobody knew then that she would one day take the throne [8] and become the queen of England!
Princess Margaret, August 1930
Elizabeth's younger sister Margaret was born four years after her [9], and posed for this official photo with the Queen Mother (who was then the Duchess of York).
Fun fact: Margaret's birth inspired the sun sign horoscope [10]!
Prince Charles, November 1948
Elizabeth looked adoringly at her first child, Prince Charles [11], in this precious snap released shortly after his historic birth.
Princess Anne, August 1950
She looked lovelier than ever in this photo with her second child and only daughter, Princess Anne [12]. In just two short years, Elizabeth would officially take the throne [13] after the death of her father, King George VI.
Prince Andrew, February 1960
Weeks after Prince Andrew's birth in 1960, the palace released this portrait of the newborn with his mother (and monarch).
Prince Edward, March 1964
Talk about a big reveal! Three months after his arrival, Prince Edward joined his parents on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the annual Trooping the Colour [14].
David Armstrong-Jones, Nov. 1961
Princess Margaret posed with her first child [15], David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon, for this portrait weeks after his birth.
Margaret and her then-husband Antony Armstrong-Jones [16] brought their baby boy from Clarence House to Kensington Palace in the weeks after he was born.
Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones, May 1964
Lady Sarah Frances Elizabeth Armstrong-Jones (now Chatto) was born at Kensington Palace on May 1, 1964. It wasn't until that July that she made her first public appearance with Princess Margaret at her christening [17].
Peter Phillips, Nov. 1977
The queen's first grandchild, Peter Phillips, was born to Princess Anne and her then-husband Mark Phillips. Anne gave a quick glimpse of her two-day-old son when she was snapped leaving St. Mary's Hospital with him.
Peter's first official appearance was at his christening in December 1977, which took place in the music room at Buckingham Palace. How excited does the queen look about her new family member?
Zara Phillips, May 1981
Princess Anne made a low-key exit from St. Mary's Hospital three days after giving birth to daughter Zara.
Anne famously declined royal titles [18] for both of her children in an effort to help them lead lives out of the public eye.
Prince William, June 1982
Prince Charles and Princess Diana welcomed their first child and heir to the throne Prince William on June 21, 1982 at St. Mary's hospital in London. Being that she had given birth to a future king [19], Diana was also the first royal [20] to present her newborn to the world outside of the Lindo Wing the following day. The historic move helped change how royal babies have been delivered [21] and introduced to the public ever since.
Prince Harry, September 1984
Two years later, Diana and Charles were back at St. Mary's Hospital for the birth of their second son, Prince Harry [22].
Prince Charles brought 2-year-old William to St. Mary's to meet his new baby brother.
Oh, and if William's adorable little outfit looks familiar, it's because his son George wore a similar ensemble [23] for his sister Charlotte's royal christening in 2015.
Princess Beatrice, August 1988
Not long after Prince Charles expanded his family, his brother Andrew was front and centre outside of Portland Hospital in London to celebrate the birth of his and Sarah Ferguson's first daughter [24], Princess Beatrice.
Princess Eugenie, March 1990
Two years later, Andrew and Sarah were back at Portland Hospital to present their second daughter, Princess Eugenie, to the world.
Princess Diana stopped by to visit her sister-in-law in the hospital.
And how cute is little Beatrice arriving to meet her new sister?
Lady Louise Windsor, Nov. 2003
The queen's youngest granddaughter was born prematurely and had to stay at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, England, for two weeks after her birth. Prince Edward held on to his baby girl as he and Sophie, Countess of Sussex, were finally able to take her home.
James, Viscount Severn, 2007
Edward and Sophie were beaming as they emerged from the Frimley Park Hospital in 2007 with their newborn baby boy.
Prince George, July 2013
Just one day after giving birth, Kate Middleton emerged [25] from the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital (the same hospital where William and Harry were born!) with William to debut their baby boy and England's future king, Prince George.
Because it was the couple's first birth — not to mention that whole "future king of England" thing — Kate and Will took time to speak to the press [26] before putting George in his car seat and heading home.
The Duchess of Cambridge also made headlines for proudly displaying her still-round and totally normal postpartum belly, something that many people still can't seem to get over [27].
George even gave us a tiny royal wave!
Princess Charlotte, May 2015
Nearly two years after George was born, the Cambridges returned to the Lindo Wing to welcome their daughter, Princess Charlotte [28].
This time around, instead of spending the night at St. Mary's or speaking to the waiting press, Kate and William headed home 10 hours after Charlotte's birth.
The world pretty much squealed with delight when William arrived with George to introduce him to his new baby sister.
Look at her sweet face!
Prince Louis, April 2018
Will and Kate returned to St. Mary's for a third time to introduce Prince Louis [29] to the world.
Many considered Kate's red and white dress a sweet tribute to the look Princess Diana wore [30] when she left the same hospital with Harry decades earlier.
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, May 2019
Nearly a year after their royal wedding at St. George's Chapel, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle [31] were back at Windsor Castle to introduce their son Archie to the world [32].
Meghan and Harry made sure to shake things up by having Harry hold his bundle of joy [33] — feminism at its finest.
I think he has Meghan's nose.
