The arrival of any new baby is an occasion greeted with joy and excitement - but perhaps no baby was as eagerly anticipated as the future ruler of the British Empire. The arrival of the future monarch, Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge, the offspring of Prince William and his wife Duchess Catherine (more commonly known as Kate Middleton) is being greeted with what can only be characterized as frenzy; everyone from souvenir manufacturers to London hotels is trying to get in on the action.
Since Buckingham Palace confirmed William and Kate were indeed expecting a bundle of joy, London buzzed with anticipation the baby's arrival - a level of excitement that reached a fever pitch upon the arrival of the little prince. While most of us can only catch a glimpse of baby George in photographs, we can still capture some of that excitement by enjoying the special events and celebrations taking place in London over the next few months.
Shop Like Royalty
For all of the tradition adn ceremony of the royal family, chances are the royal baby won't be wearing hand-me-down onesies and bibs. As expected, the Duchess was seen out and about in London during her pregnancy, shopping for the basics that every new parent needs.
And while you may not have the same budget, you can still check out some of the spots where Kate has picked up items for baby. She's been spotted shopping in the children's clothing store Trotters, where many London parents pick up stylish and affordable clothing for their children - and where many fashionable Brits have their first haircuts. Kate has also purchased clothing at the department store Peter Jones, where she also chose some furniture for the nursery, including a beige rocker.
Perhaps the most notable piece of furniture that this mom-to-be has been seen with was a wicker cradle she purchased at the high-end furniture shop Blue Almonds. And, being careful not to give away the baby's gender (although there is speculation that she knew she was having a boy), Kate chose neutral beige-and-brown fabrics to decorate the nursery in Kensington Palace from the exclusive Bernard Thorp decor store.
Of course, if you're not in the market for children's clothing or accessories, you can still shop for commemorative items. Souvenir shops around London will be cashing in on the royal baby, selling everything from commemorative plates and holiday ornaments to clothing, baby items and more. While commemorative items do not increase in value over time as they once did, some of the more original and rare items may become collector's pieces, especially when the baby finally does ascend to the throne.
Beyond the Shops
Of course, the royal baby's arrival isn't
only about the shopping. Many London establishments have developed their own
celebrations of the event, offering special packages for visitors to capture some of the excitement. For instance, at legendary London restaurant The Balcon, you can enjoy a high tea complete with pink-and-blue frosted crown cakes. Both The Lanesborough and The Bingham Hotels are offering special "Royal Baby" packages for mothers and mothers-to-be through the end of the year that including everything from relaxing spa treatments to breakfast in bed; you can
find out more about these hotels in London on Venere.com.
If high teas and foot rubs aren't what you're looking for, then check out the photographic exhibit at the Athenaeum Hotel, near Buckingham Palace. The exhibit, "The Royal Child" features more than 40 rare photos of royalty as children, dating back to the Vicotrian era. It runs through the end of August.
You can also pay a visit to the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital, the hospital where the royal heir made his arrival. It's also the place where the baby's father, Prince William, and uncle, Prince Harry, made their debuts. From the street you can see the unassuming doorway where Prince George made his debut - although the media has long since moved on to other stories.
The duke and Duchess of Cambridge are the most popular members of the royal family since William's late mother, Diana. There's no doubt that the arrival of their first child is a momentous occasion for all of the United Kingdom. With all of the celebrations, commemorations and unprecedented attention, Prince George's birth will certainly be an important even in history of the British Empire.
Photo credit: KLIM_ANDREEV/Foter/CC BY-NC-ND
About the Author: Louise Vinciguerra is a fantastic joke teller, has a million and one hobbies, and enjoys matching her fonts with her moods. This Brooklyn native dirties her hands in content on weekdays and as a devout nature lover, dirties them in soil on the weekends. When she's not on Facebook, Wordpress or Twitter, she's traveling in search of fun food, dabbling in urban farming or planning nature trips from her resident city of Rome. When she's not doing any of the above, she sleeps.
