23 July 2013
The Duchess of Cambridge has given
birth to a baby boy. For the first time in British history, it made no
difference if the royal child was a boy or a girl - the baby would be third in
line to the throne regardless. But the new law, which was changed especially
for this baby, will not be put to the test.
Reporter:
Luisa Baldini
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
·
Report
It was a pregnancy in
the public eye. There was no hiding away from the cameras. And
royal duties continued for the Duchess of Cambridge until the final weeks.
Wherever she went, the gifts, the questions, the chat, had been of the baby.
She gave little away.
With his great-grandmother in her
61st year on the throne, and his grandfather and father ahead of him in the
line of succession, it will be some time
before the Duke and Duchess's son is King.
Suzannah Lipscomb,
Historian:
It is in the nature of
these next few years, in his upbringing, in his childhood, in the character and values that are instilled in
him at this stage, that will determine how the British people view their monarch.
In the past, there was a formality
to the royal birth announcements. Much has changed. After Prince William was
born at St. Mary's hospital, his father spoke to the media.
Reporter: How is Lady Di?
Prince Charles: She's very well, marvellous.
Reporter: Was it a very painful experience?
Prince Charles: Have you ever had a baby?
Reporter: No I haven't.
Prince Charles: I should wait and see!
And from the moment the new Prince
appeared on the hospital steps, it was clear his upbringing would be different,
less formal. William will now be fiercely protective of his wife and child, but
controlling the level of interest from the public and the media is increasingly problematic.
The Duchess of Cambridge's
childhood memories are of a strong family unit in rural Berkshire .
Royal life appears not to have diminished that bond. And there is speculation that after the birth the Duchess will
return home to mum for a few weeks.
William's childhood broke
with tradition. By royal standards there was greater freedom.
It was more normal, there was less restraint. He is likely to want the
same for his son, a little boy who one day will be King.
·
Vocabulary
in the
public eye - well known by
many people
gave little
away - did not tell anyone any information
succession
- process in which someone automatically
takes their position after someone
else
upbringing
- how a child is treated and educated by its parents
diminished -
reduced
speculation
- guessing what might happen without any certain information
broke with
tradition - did something different from what is normally done
restraint
- control in showing emotions or behaving in a certain way
You can listen to the programme here
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