Welcome To The World Prince George Alexander Louis!

by Claudine

Oh how exciting!  I have been a royal watcher since Princess Diana first arrived on the scene.  As a little girl I bought every magazine that had an image of Diana on the cover.  I was totally fascinated with the royal family.  I have to admit I also shed a tear after her untimely death in 1997.  Alas...there were some rough years for the royals where even I didn't feel like reading or hearing about them.  I am still not, nor will I ever be, a Camilla fan!

Thankfully life moves forward and Diana's little boys are now men and much of the black cloud over the House of Windsor has been lifted like an evil spell cast out of the kingdom (must stop reading so many princess stories to my daughter).

The British Monarchy has once again cast a spell on me with the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton.  As I have watched the evolution of their relationship that included a 10-year courtship, marriage and now a journey into parenthood, I can't help but wonder what would Diana be thinking and feeling?  I suspect she would have been so proud of her children and would be elated to welcome her first grandchild.  When they do close ups of Wills on TV you truly see her face. 

As I watched the royal couple introduce their child to the world, you could see how comfortable William was with fatherhood.  In front of the press he took the baby from Kate similar to how Princess Diana took baby William from Prince Charles in 1982. He is his mother's son. I would like to think somewhere she is smiling.

I took a ride today with my older daughter.  I was listening to CNN's live coverage of the couple leaving the hospital.  The next hour was then spent talking ad nauseum (my daughter's opinion) about the new baby.  My daughter finally said..."Enough about the baby, why is he so special?" I had to think for a minute. 

It suddenly dawned on me that this transcends a royal heir being welcomed into the world, this is an emotion that most humans cherish.  The idea of a new baby and a new life is just something that is still awe-inspiring for most people.  If you are parent you just can't help but harken back to the moment you met your child for the first time.  The moment you brought your newborn home and walked into the nursery for the first time.  It is just such an exciting, albeit exhausting, time and I think that is what this little baby has tapped into with the masses.  It is the exuberance that one feels when they become a parent. 

Sadly Prince George's arrival also conjures up feelings of melancholy about loved ones who won't have the opportunity to meet a new grandchild.  Possibly for others it is simply the excitement of witnessing history.  The birth of the future King of England is very newsworthy for a lot of people. I suspect a lot of the intrigue is remnants of adoration from Diana devotees across the world...similar to the love affair previous generations had with Camelot and John F. Kennedy Jr.  People feel as though they know these families and celebrate in times of happiness and cry in times of sadness with them.

To make the royal couple even more approachable, I couldn't help but notice that Kate looked like so many new mothers.  Tired, walking a bit gingerly and still showing the physical signs of nine months of pregnancy.  Oh thank God!  If she came out of that hospital in a size zero dress I think all hope would have been lost.  Thank you Kate for letting it all show!

Whatever the reason for the world's fascination with Prince George, I for one think it is a good thing, no a great thing! If one little life can bring this much joy to so many people, I say HOORAY!  We have had enough sadness and misery on the news and in the world. Let's, if only for a moment, celebrate the life of this little guy. 

I would also like to think that Diana is partly responsible for all of this happiness and celebration that has been shared with the world. Somewhere she must be overjoyed.  Sadly it isn't here in the physical world.  She is still so missed.  Never underestimate the power of motherhood and the legacy it leaves behind.  For all the riches the future King George has he is still missing a very special grandparent.

Image Credit:

CBC The National
Duke and Duchess Of Cambridge.org
My Wedding Decorations
Deviantart