10 facts about royal births

The Duke of Edinburgh played squash while his wife was in labour, and government ministers used to have to witness royal arrivals.

A photograph of Queen Elizabeth II with her third child Prince Andrew, taken by Cecil Beaton (Cecil Beaton/PA)

Here are 10 facts about royal births:

1. A team of 23 medical staff was on hand for the birth of Prince George and Princess Charlotte at the private Lindo Wing.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with newborn Princess Charlotte outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

The Duchess of Cambridge is greeted by Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, who helped deliver of one of her children (Peter Nicholls/PA) — The Duchess of Cambridge is greeted by Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, who helped to deliver one of her children (Peter Nicholls/PA)

The Prince and Princess of Wales leaving the Lindo Wing, at St. Mary’s Hospital with their first born, Prince William (PA) — The Prince and Princess of Wales leaving the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital with their firstborn, Prince William (PA)

3. Diana was induced because she could not bear the pressure from the media any longer – and claimed doctors had to find a date that suited Charles and his polo fixtures.

A heavily pregnant Princess of Wales at at Aintree for the Grand National in 1982 (PA) — A heavily pregnant Princess of Wales at Aintree for the Grand National in 1982 (PA)

An exhibition showing Cecil Beaton’s photograph of Princess Elizabeth with her first child Prince Charles (Edmond Terakopian/PA)

The Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Elizabeth with their son Prince Charles after his christening ceremony (PA)

The Queen in uniform on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, holding 12-week-old son Prince Edward after the Trooping the Colour ceremony (PA)

She was breech and it was a difficult birth for her mother the Duchess of York.

The Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) holding their baby daughter Princess Elizabeth (PA) — The Duke and Duchess of York, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, holding their baby daughter Princess Elizabeth (PA)

9. But Queen Victoria put her foot down when her great-grandchild, the future Edward VIII, was born in 1894 and declared that just one Cabinet minister would be needed, with only the home secretary attending from then on.

Queen Victoria limited the number of government minister present at royal births to just one - the Home Secretary (PA) — Queen Victoria limited the number of government ministers present at royal births to just one – the home secretary (PA)

Queen Elizabeth II with her cousin Princess Alexandra (Yui Mok/PA)