A New Royal Baby

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Britain's Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge smile as they hold their newborn baby son as they leave the Lindo wing at St Mary's Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
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Britain's Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge smile as they hold their newborn baby son as they leave the Lindo wing at St Mary's Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
Britain’s Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge smile as they hold their newborn baby son as they leave the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London London, Monday, April 23, 2018. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

With the birth of royal baby Monday, the world’s eyes turned yet again to the now familiar steps of the Lindo Wing in London’s Paddington district, as the Duchess of Cambridge emerged, effortless in red, hair freshly blown dry, with her newest addition tucked neatly in her arms.

So why the heck is Kate heading home from the hospital just seven hours after giving birth — wearing stilettos no less? The newest prince, like his older siblings and indeed his dad, William, and uncle Harry, was born in the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in London. The wing is a private, high-end maternity facility located inside the hospital that has “overseen private births for generations of families since 1937,” according to its website. The facilities features hotel-like amenities including large suites, and meals prepared in dedicated kitchens.

When the royal babies are born, they emerge, with their parents onto the wing’s now-famous steps, where they are welcomed by a swarm of reporter and well-wishers, who are camped out awaiting them. Diana and Charles greeted fans on the same steps after William’s arrival in 1982.

As hard as it is to imagine getting out of bed a few hours after labor — much less donning a fancy frock and some heels — it’s not unheard of for Kate. After Prince George’s birth in 2013, she spent the night in the hospital, according to People. But when his little sister, Charlotte, was born two years later, mom headed home after just 10 hours. That would make this latest departure a record, clocking in at less than seven hours after Kensington Palace announced the birth of the new royal.

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