A LOTTE OF LOVE:
Big sis steals show with wave She stays 4th in line to throne
ARRIVING to meet their baby brother, Prince George looks bashful but little sister Princess Charlotte steals the show, charming the crowds with a royal wave and a smile.
As Prince William, 35, led his children into St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, shy George, four, stared at his shoes, but Charlotte waved enthusiastically at a throng of well-wishers, who let out an “awww” in response.
Gran-of-four Margaret Tyler, 74, was among those enchanted by the confident little princess, who turns three next Wednesday.
She said: “I think she’s a gorgeous little princess. She looks so much like Kate. She will be as beautiful as Kate when she grows up.”
It was a historic day for Charlotte, two, as a 2013 change in the law means she is the first royal female not to be supplanted in succession by a younger male.
Charlotte will stay fourth in line to the throne, and Margaret approves. Wearing a Union flag blazer with a Queen’s 90th birthday rosette, she said: “It’s fantastic. That’s how it should be.”
After a scorching weekend, grey skies hung over the capital as the day began with news that the Duchess of Cambridge, 36, had gone into labour. But there was nothing gloomy about the crowds, who formed a sea of red, white and blue outside the £7,500-a-night Lindo Wing.
Terry Hutt, 82, dressed in a Union Jack suit and matching top hat, had been camping out for 15 days to ensure he got a good view of the new baby.
Waving his flag patriotically, he said: “We’ve beaten the record for the number of days out here camping – 15.” Terry, a retired carpenter from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, has been attending royal events for more than 20 years with his friend John Loughrey, 63, who is from Streatham, South London.
Terry said: “We were all here for eight
days for George and 13 days for Charlotte. It doesn’t matter that it’s Kate third child, of course not. Every child is a miracle, a blessing.
“What a wonderful, amazing day for the Duchess to have given birth, St George’s Day. What amazing timing.
“I really hope they name their little boy Terry, after their biggest fan.”
Retired chef John, wearing a Union Jack beanie studded with Princess Diana badges and holding an “I was there when baby number three was born” T-shirt, said: “Princess Diana is here today with Kate and William and the new baby, looking down on them.”
Another royals fan, Alma McClorey, 45, from Ireland, ran the London Marathon on Sunday and waited at the hospital from 9am on the last day of her trip just to catch a glimpse of the baby.
She said: “I did the London Marathon yesterday and my legs are really hurting, but it’s worth standing here to see him.”
Julie Peterson, 58, from Perth, Australia, also joined the crowds. She said: “We’re in the Commonwealth, so of course we love the royals. It’s so lovely that Kate is having another little boy.” When it was announced at around 2pm that the Duchess had given birth to a boy, the crowd whooped and jumped up and down, many of them careful not to spill their pints of lager, in celebration.
Triumphant Terry declared: “I called it. We’re going to have British fish and chips to celebrate. We should be so proud of our country and Royal Family.”
By 3pm, the crowd had swelled to about 500 people, who were in raptures when Prince William arrived hand-inhand with George and Charlotte.
Terry said: “It’s been a real day to remember.” The atmosphere hit fever pitch when Kate and William walked out of the hospital to present their third child to the world for the first time.
Terry, by then clutching a bottle of champagne with a British flag poking out of the neck, said: “The 15-day wait was worth it. He’s beautiful. I’m finally going home tonight.”
Irene Dejuan, 41, originally from Uruguay, was just as thrilled, and said: “I’m so happy to have seen the newborn. They are such a beautiful family.”
Joanne Lawlor, 27, walked 45 minutes from her work to try to see the newborn.
The admin assistant said: “I am so happy for them and I am so happy I made it on time.”
Retired charity worker Margaret was delighted by the third Cambridge child, even though it means finding even more space for royal memorabilia, which already fills five rooms in her home in Wembley, North London.
She said: “The Guinness World Records really want to come and count everything, but I’ve told them it’ll take too long. I’ve been collecting figurines, dolls, cardboard cutouts and photo frames for more than 40 years. I think I have around 10,000 items.
“I have a dedicated Prince George table and a Princess Charlotte table, so when my grandchildren visit they have to sit and eat their dinner on their laps.
“I have no idea where I’m going to fit in baby number three memorabilia. But don’t worry – I’ll find the space.”
John said: “A lot of countries don’t have a Royal Family. But it’s our heritage. We should be proud of it and celebrate everything they do for us.”
So three cheers for Prince Terry, if John’s pal has called it right…