Tradition Celebrated as the UK Weclomes Baby Boy Cambridge

The official notice of the birth of "Baby Cambridge" on display outside Buckingham Palace

     If you're a monarchist, it does not get better than events such as this. In many ways, words cannot be found to express the joy of this occasion.

     One thing for certain is that there has been a huge sigh of relief and exultation's of celebration. After nine months of waiting (including a month-long build-up of public and media frenzy), Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn, and Baroness Carrickfergus was safely delivered of a son at 4:24 PM BST (11:24 AM EDT) on July 22, 2013 after about 10 hours of labor. According to the Kensington Palace press release, Prince William was at his wife's side in the delivery room, following in the footsteps of his father Prince Charles (though not his grandfather Prince Philip, who was playing squash at the time when then-Princess Elizabeth gave birth to Charles). The press release also stated that boy weighs 8 lbs, 6 oz, and that he and his mother are doing well. There has been speculation over whether there were complications with regard to the delivery, for there was a four hour gap between the time of the birth and the time of the announcement, but I believe that William and Kate wanted a period of time to savor the moment for themselves. In my earlier post, I said that although this was an event of international significance, there ought to be ample time for the families to have their moment of solitude before the glare of camera's changes everything. I for one, am happy that this is happening.

Crowds outside of Buckingham Palace following the announcement of Baby Cambridge.

     While the Duke and Duchess got to know their child, the world waited anxiously for news. At around 3:30 PM EDT, the Kensington Palace press release was issued. Soon after that, the Duke and Duchess's press secretary took the medical bulletin (containing the baby's gender and time of birth) to a Palace courtier, who then drove it to Buckingham Place. There, it was handed to a royal military aid, who then carried it into the Palace so that it could be framed. Finally, it was brought out by the Queen's press secretary and a footman of the Royal Household who placed on the easel just behind the gates so that the teeming crowds could see it. In the age of Facebook and Twitter, it's rather nice to witness the continuance of this tradition. It was also interesting to see another tradition in the form of the London town crier making his own announcement on the steps of the hospital. After days of stunts by royal lookalikes, many in the press corp were initially unimpressed by this display and were shouting him down. But by the end, it was realized that this man was literally performing his public duty as a town crier and was cheered on by the crowds as he finished. Indeed, this is what makes the United Kingdom special to me. The British people retain their traditions and are reluctant give up on them, no matter how old, archaic, or anachronistic they may be. The tradition of monarchy is remains popular in part because it connects to the history of Britain like no other institution.

The fountains at Trafalgar Square were lit in blue to mark the occasion of the birth

     Indeed, history has been made. For the first time since 1901 with the death of Queen Victoria, there are now three generations of heirs in the direct line of succession: Charles, Prince of Wales, William, Duke of Cambridge, and now the recently-born boy, who will be titled "His Royal Highness Prince [NAME] of Cambridge." But this child will not only be King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but also of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, The Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda. He will also be Supreme Governor of the Church of England, head of the Armed Forces, and possibly head of the 54-member Commonwealth of Nations.

The Commonwealth of Nations. The countries in red represent the members of the Commonwealth that are realms that share the British monarch as head of state. The countries in blue represent the members of the Commonwealth that either have their own monarchies, or are republics.

      It is in part because of this international role that the monarchy retains its luster throughout the world - especially in United States - in a way the remaining monarchies of the world do not. Thanks to the fact that the British Empire once covered over 25% of the world's surface and contained nearly as much of its population, there is near-universal respect and affection for the monarchy. The Queen has been exemplary in her duties as the face of this ancient institution through the 20th and 21st centuries, and now she has three heirs to secure the monarchy into the 22nd Century. Some people have talked about the possibility of a line of silver (and potentially bald) haired monarchs succeeding to the throne at advanced ages because the Queen has reigned for so long (and may reign longer given the longevity of her mother who passed away in 2002 at the age of 101). Charles will be 65 by the end of the year and William is already 31, which means that this child will not likely reign until the after the midpoint of this century, and there are thoughts that old monarchs will not prove to be as popular as younger ones at the start of their reigns. I believe that the public will be receptive to older monarchs because of perceived wisdom and wit that comes with age and a prolonged "apprenticeship." It also potentially removes some pressure from the younger generations, so that they may have a more private and normal life, resulting in being more equipped to assume the pressures of kingship. This is all the more reason why the Queen should not, and will not, abdicate. Don't underestimate the ability of the monarchy to reinvent itself as a modernizing institution with age and experience at the helm.

Not wanting to be left out, Niagara Falls were also lit in blue to commemorate the birth of the boy who will one day be King of Canada.

     At any rate, there is cause for great celebration because of what this boy represents for the future of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, which is continuity and stability. While everything else changes at a rapid pace, the order of succession is solidly in place, and there is comfort in knowing who the next head of state is going to be, as well as having a monarchy to represent the whole nation and not a political party or faction. Now the child's name is next topic for discussion. Personally, I prefer James, since it has not been used for a British king since 1689 when James VII of Scotland & II of England and Ireland was deposed. In contrast, George has been used six times since 1714 with the accession of George I of Great Britain. But regardless of the name, this boy is already known around the world, and like William, we'll be watching him grow up to eventually fulfill his destiny.

Photo Credit: David Hart & David Hart via flickr cc, Philip Stevens via Wikimedia Commons cc