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Within hours of giving birth to Prince George in 2013, Kate Middleton appeared on the steps of the Lindo Wing in London looking immaculately put-together.
The Princess of Wales – who was 31 at the time – radiated with happiness as she cuddled her newborn son and stood next to her proud husband Prince William.
The royal looked effortlessly stylish in a light blue polka dot dress, white heels and minimal makeup for her first public appearance as as mother.
Even though Kate was following in her late mother-in-law’s footsteps with her Lindo Wing appearance, her glamorous look subsequently upped the style stakes for all royal mothers going forward.
Here FEMAIL marks the 10 year anniversary of this memorable moment in royal history – and how Kate’s future sister-in-law even said it made her ‘feel sorry’ for the Princess.
It’s been almost 10 years since the Princess of Wales announced the birth of Prince George (pictured here cradled in her arms) on the stairs of Lindo Wing, at St. Mary’s hospital in London
Although Prince George – who celebrates his 10th birthday today – was the centre of attention during this historic photocall at St. Mary’s hospital, royal watchers were wowed by how stylish Kate looked mere hours after her first labour.
Aside from royal baby bump, there was barely any indication that Kate had just given birth on 23 July 2013.
The then Duchess of Cambridge settled on a crepe de chine polka dot dress by Jenny Packham – a designer she has worked with throughout her royal life – which was made bespoke for her.
The mother-of-three has been dressed by the fashion house on multiple occasions, including just recently at the wedding reception of Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan and Rajwa Al-Saif and the luxurious State Banquet for the visiting South African president in November last year.
The stylish silhouette hovered over her very noticeable baby bump, which the princess proudly displayed, and the hemline hit just above her knees.
As she waved to the crowd, the view of her post-pregnancy stomach was lapped up by mothers and fans alike.
The cornflower blue was a nod, no doubt, to her baby’s gender – the same gesture made by her mother Carole Middleton during her own visit earlier in the day.
What’s more, the royal had her own glam squad on standby in the hospital – as she emerged on the steps with a beautifully styled straight blow-dry and radiant face of makeup.
As Prince George marks his 10th birthday next week, FEMAIL takes a look at how the princess’s fearless maternal style became a global force to be reckoned with
According to Page Six, a close friend of Meghan Markle’s revealed that the duchess ‘felt sorry’ for the future queen during Prince George’s baby reveal
She donned a £550 pair of citrine pear drop earrings by London-based jewellery designer Kiki McDonough (pictured)
The princess bravely donned a pair of high slingback espadrille wedges by Dune. The nude-coloured shoes by the high-street retailer is currently priced at around £70
Kate’s iconic bouncy blow-dry was the work of Amanda Cook Taylor, her hair stylist at the time, who was tasked with glamming up the princess at her private maternity ward in St.Mary’s.
Amanda first worked with Kate in 2012, and had been cutting William and Harry’s hair for years – since they were children.
She ensured that the royal’s brunette waves, which were tinted with caramel highlights, were primed and ready for the occasion.
For her make-up, Kate kept it simple with a subtle base, barely-there rosy cheeks and a smidge of eyeliner. The royal’s foundation was accentuated by a sun-kissed glow, perhaps the result of a light tan.
The Lindo Wing was also used for the birth of William in 1982 and Harry in 1984. This is while in 1977 the Princess Royal had Peter Phillips there, followed by daughter Zara in 1981.
As such, the Princess of Wales’ dress has been widely regarded by many as a sweet nod to the late Princess Diana.
Prince George’s great grandmother also wore a polka dot outfit as she left the same hospital following the birth of Prince William in 1982.
Diana opted for a lengthy teal-coloured spotted dress with a large collar and billowing sleeves.
Pictured: the Princess of Wales pictured on July 23 2013 on the steps of the Lindo Wing, hours after giving birth
Prince George was swaddled in a white blanket while his mother wore a bespoke Jenny Packham dress
Kate’s on-site hairdresser ensured her locks, which were tinted with caramel highlights, were primed and ready for the occasion
As for Kate’s jewellery, the new mother kept it minimal – opting for a £550 pair of citrine pear drop earrings by London-based jewellery designer Kiki McDonough.
The then Duchess was first snapped in the stunning yellow gold citrine pear drop earrings in 2009, and the good luck charm was recycled once more for the birth of precious George.
And while most new mothers may turn to comfort over style after childbirth, the princess bravely donned a pair of slingback espadrille wedges by Dune, which feature a 80mm heel.
Parents from around the world heaped praises on Kate for refusing to hide her mummy tummy, with Netmums founder Siobhan Freegard saying the duchess had dispelled the ‘myth that all mothers should be perfect postpartum’.
‘Kate shows what a real mum looks like – and natural is beautiful’ she added
However, Kate’s future sister-in-law Meghan Markle did not seem to hold this opinion.
The then Duchess of Cambridge had a glam squad at the hospital to prepare her for the world’s cameras
Kate’s iconic hairdo was the work of Amanda Cook Taylor, her hair stylist at the time, who was tasked with glamming up the princess at her private maternity ward in St.Mary’s
Pictured: Kate Middleton and Prince William pose outside St Mary’s hospital in London following the birth of Princess Charlotte in May 2015
According to Page Six, a close friend of Meghan Markle’s revealed that the duchess ‘felt sorry’ for the future queen during Prince George’s baby reveal.
Ahead of Prince Archie’s birth in 2019, a source told the US newspaper that Kate’s perfectly polished look had put Meghan off the much sought after photo shoot following the birth, especially after the Princess of Wales had emerged looking immaculate following Prince Louis’ arrival.
In 2018, Kate Middleton was seen on the steps of the Lindo Wing – just hours after giving birth to Prince Louis – looking equally as glamourous.
For the occasion, Kate wore a pretty red dress with a lace-trim Peter Pan collar and nude suede heels.
The princess looked flawless once again – this time following the birth of the couple’s last born, Prince Louis, in 2018
For Prince Louis’ photocall, the Princess of Wales wore a red Jenny Packham dress with a lace collar and pearl earrings
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle broke royal protocol by keeping details of the birth of their first child, Archie, in May 2019 a fierce secret
Meghan oozed glamour in a crisp white belted blazer dress by British designer Grace Wales Bonner for Archie’s photocall in June 2019
Her flawless appearance, neatly styled locks and full face of make-up in front of cameras was possibly regarded by Meghan as too much to bear just hours after delivery.
Opting for an entirely different approach, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry broke from royal tradition in May 2019 and kept Archie’s birth a fierce secret.
Prince Archie was born in the Portland Hospital in Westminster and his birth was only announced after the family-of-three had returned home to Frogmore Cottage.
As such, the couple decided to hold their carefully-managed photocall in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle – with just a handful of press present.
For the occasion, Meghan oozed glamour in a crisp white belted blazer dress by British designer Grace Wales Bonner.
She kept the look simple by pairing it with her pair of nude Manolo Blahnik BB pumps and kept her accessories to a minimum, wearing a simple Jennifer Meyer turquoise necklace.
And in a further break from tradition, the new parents used their Instagram account to announce Archie’s name.
The future monarch’s Jenny Packham dress has been widely regarded by many as a sweet nod to the late Princess Diana
Prince George’s great grandmother also wore a polka dot outfit as she left the same hospital following the birth of Prince William in 1982
In February 2020, the Princess of Wales admitted that she found it ‘terrifying’ to debut her three children to the world on the steps of the Lindo Wing.
The mother-of-three was speaking as a guest on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast when she was asked by host Giovanna Fletcher what it was like to stand in front of the crowds with a newborn baby in her arms.
Ms Fletcher, who was speaking about Kate’s first appearance with Prince George in 2013, asked: ‘What was it like knowing that there were so many people outside after you’ve given birth and you’re in your little cocoon with your new family?’
The Duchess of Cambridge said: ‘Slightly terrifying, I’m not going to lie.
‘Everyone had been so supportive and both William and I were really conscious that this was something that everyone was excited about and we’re hugely grateful for the support that the public had shown us, and actually for us to be able to share that joy and appreciation with the public, I felt was really important.
‘But equally it was coupled with a newborn baby, and inexperienced parents, and the uncertainty of what that held, so there were all sorts of mixed emotions.’
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