Thrice the Worry . . .
VOCABULARY
Even though we had been there twice before, when Prince George, four, and Princess Charlotte, two, were born, I couldn’t help but get excited when the Duchess of Cambridge went into labour last Monday. Sometimes, I just long for positive news and, for me, this was it. As usual, crowds had gathered outside the Lindo wing of St Mary’s hospital, in West London.
Many of the well-wishers had been sleeping outside for at least a week – to be there when the fifth in line to the throne was born. The streets were transformed into a kind of carnival of "monarchistic madness" as crowds waited for the good news and bookmakers took the final bets on the name and gender of the latest addition to the royal family. An Italian pizzeria handed out pieces of pizza, Ladbrokes, the bookmakers, offered prosecco and some "remainers" jumped on the bandwagon and tried to convince the crowds to think again about Brexit – but this wasn’t the right time.
With the new arrival Prince Harry is now sixth in line to the throne, but I am sure that he doesn’t mind as he prepares himself for his forthcoming marriage to Meghan Markle, on Saturday, 19 May, at Windsor Castle.
The crowds didn’t have to wait long as just after the prince was born, on St George’s Day, at 11.01, weighing 8lb 7oz (3.8kg), the town crier came onto the steps in front of the hospital and announced the birth, whilst ringing a very loud bell. A short while after, Prince William, who had been present at the birth, picked up the new prince’s siblings and brought them to see their baby brother. Prince George was very shy and looked away from the cameras, whereas, his sister gave a royal wave to the photographers and everyone was delighted. Then, just five hours after giving birth, the Duchess of Cambridge emerged from the hospital carrying the Queen’s sixth great-grandchild. She looked amazing, with her perfect hair and immaculate make-up -– nothing like a woman should look after just giving birth. But, with hundreds of cameras pointed at her, she couldn’t afford not to.
Other women, who had given birth recently, quickly put photographs on "mumsnet" – a website where people can offer support and advice to other parents – from conception to teenagers. The photographs showed how normal mothers looked five hours after their babies were born. The images were not quite as flattering, but then they probably didn’t have their own hairdresser and stylist at the ready.
Finally, Prince William picked up his wife and son and drove them to Kensington Palace, where they can start to enjoy being a family of five – and out of the limelight for some time. When a royal photographer asked him how he felt, Prince William called back "thrice the worry now", which some people found rather strange as nobody says "thrice" meaning three times, anymore. However, he could have been quoting William Shakespeare, in Henry V: "If we, with thrice such powers left at home – cannot defend our own doors from the dog – let us be worried, and our nation lose . . . "
It would be quite fitting, as it is said that the great English dramatist and poet, William Shakespeare, was born in Stratford upon Avon, on April 23, 1564. So, the new prince and the Bard would share the same birthday.
You may have noticed that one major fact is missing from my column and that is the name. We can blame this on Queen Elizabeth II as until she has given her consent – the new prince can’t be named. My column is always filmed on Thursday evening – and unfortunately, no announcement had been made by then. worried – besorgt to cope – es schaffen to get excited – aufgeregt sein to go into labour – Wehen haben to long for sth. – sich nach etw. sehnen to gather – zusammenkommen well-wishers – Gratulanten bookmakers – Buchmacher final bets – letzte Wetten to jump on the bandwagon – Trittbrett fahren to convince – überzeugen forthcoming – bevorstehend town crier – Stadtausrufer whilst – während to pick up – abholen siblings – Geschwister shy – schüchtern royal wave – königliches Winken delighted – entzückt to emerge from – herauskommen amazing – erstaunlich immaculate – makellos to point at – richten auf to afford – sich leisten recently – kürzlich support and advice – Hilfe und Rat conception – Empfängnis images – Bilder flattering – schmeichelhaft at the ready – bereit limelight – Rampenlicht thrice the worry – dreifache Sorgen to quote – zitieren to defend – verteidigen quite fitting – recht passend to share – teilen to notice – bemerken major fact – wichtige Tatsache to blame sbd. – jmd. beschuldigen