Princess Charlotte, who turns 3 years old on May 2, has already hit two major milestones: her first curtsy [1] and her first diplomatic handshake [2]. But do you remember when she was just a little baby [3]? Before Charlotte gets any older, take a walk down memory lane and look back at the most interesting details from her royal arrival.
- It took William and Kate two days to reveal Charlotte's name. Her birth certificate listed Charlotte's full name as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge and her occupation [5] as Princess of the United Kingdom.
- The hospital she was born at holds special significance. Not only was Prince George also born there [6], but so were William and Harry.
- Charlotte weighed just a tiny bit less than her big brother. While George was the heaviest royal baby in the last 50 years when he was born, weighing 8 pounds 6 ounces, Charlotte was three ounces smaller [7].
- George was Charlotte's first visitor. George visited her [8] eight hours after she was born. William actually left the hospital to go pick him up.
- Charlotte made her public debut hours after being born. Just before being whisked away to Kensington Palace, Will and Kate gave the world a first look at their baby girl when they stepped out of the Lindo Wing [9] of St. Mary's Hospital. The couple then headed back inside for a few minutes before reemerging with Charlotte in her car seat.
- The Royal Navy sent one of the first messages of congratulations [10] to William and Kate. Sailors spelled out the word "sister" on their HMS Lancaster, known as the "Queen's Frigate."