Prince Edward by Hans Holbein, 1539
In July 2013, the Duchess of Cambridge—now Catherine, Princess of Wales—gave birth to Prince George of Wales, the latest in a line of British royal babies that stretches back centuries. Expectations have always been high when it comes to the line of succession, as the birth of a healthy royal baby could shape history.
These important infants have arrived under a wide variety of circumstances, some in times of peace and some in war. A few became the casualties of political conflict, born to a kingship they never enjoyed, and one baby even sparked a revolution. Often it was the “spare” and not the heir who came to the throne.
Many never achieved their lofty destinies, while others rose to take their place. For example, during the the Wars of the Roses, the 12-year-old Edward V vanished in mysterious circumstances. Known to history as the elder of the Princes in the Tower, his disappearance would ultimately lead to Henry Tudor founding the Tudor dynasty.
Medieval childbirth was shadowed by superstition, fear, and danger for queens and commoners alike, and religion played a role from conception through recovery. Later centuries witnessed medical advances in obstetric care and pain relief, providing better survival rates for both mothers and babies. With her children marrying into numerous royal houses, Queen Victoria became the “Grandmother of Europe”.
The birth of the present king in 1948 was a welcome boost to the morale of post-war Britain. Baby Charles was baptized at Buckingham Palace with water taken from the River Jordan in a tradition believed to date back to the time of Richard I.
Historian Siobhan Clarke explores the historical significance of royal babies from the 15th century to the present day. She examines how the fertility, pregnancies, and childbirth experiences of queens have shaped politics as well as their personal relationships—and how history has often hung on one tiny heartbeat.
Clarke, the author of several books on the Tudor period, has been featured on BBC radio and PBS television, and has given tours and lectured for Historic Royal Palaces for more than 20 years.
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