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Duchess Kate echoes Diana in polka-dot dress for royal baby debut

The Duchess of Cambridge, 31, showed off her newborn prince on Tuesday after giving birth on Monday in London's St. Mary's Hospital, with her husband Prince William, 31, at her side. The smiling new mom — wearing a custom-made, light blue polka-dot dress by British designer Jenny Packham — revealed the baby boy to huge crowds and cheers, much like Princess Diana did in June 1982, when she dis



Paying tribute? Like Princess Diana, Duchess Kate addressed the crowds outside St. Mary's hospital in a loose polka-dot gown.
Paying tribute? Like Princess Diana, Duchess Kate addressed the crowds outside St. Mary's hospital in a loose polka-dot gown.Today

The Duchess of Cambridge, 31, showed off her newborn prince on Tuesday after giving birth on Monday in London's St. Mary's Hospital, with her husband Prince William, 31, at her side. The smiling new mom — wearing a custom-made, light blue polka-dot dress by British designer Jenny Packham — revealed the baby boy to huge crowds and cheers, much like Princess Diana did in June 1982, when she displayed a newborn Prince William to the world less than 24 hours after giving birth at the very same hospital.


Diana, 20, greeted the public in a loose green polka-dot gown as her then-husband Prince Charles, 33, handed her baby William. The "people's princess" smiled, waved and blushed as the crowds cheered and clapped, before the young couple set off in a chauffeured station wagon to their London home at Kensington Palace — where Duchess Kate and Prince William will travel to as well.

Asked why Princess Diana was leaving the hospital so soon, Buckingham Palace press secretary Michael Shea told the AP, "It is the fashionable thing to do."

Prince Charles and Princess Diana pose with their newborn son Prince William on the steps of St Mary's Hospital in London, June 1982.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana pose with their newborn son Prince William on the steps of St. Mary's Hospital in London on June 22, 1982. “I’m honestly relieved and delighted. It’s marvelous,” Charles said when asked how he felt.Princess Diana Archive / Today
Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge show their new-born baby boy to the world's media, on the steps outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's...
Prince William and Duchess Kate, both wearing blue, wave outside St. Mary's hospital on July 23, 2013. \"He's got her looks, thankfully,\" Prince William joked, tipping his head towards Duchess Kate.Ben Stansal / Today
Then and now: Prince Charles and Prince Williams are photographed with their newborn sons.
Then and now: Prince Charles and Prince Williams are photographed with their newborn sons. \"He's got a good pair of lungs on him, that's for sure,\" Prince William told the screaming crowd. \"I'll remind him of his tardiness when he's a bit older.\"Today
Getty
Crowds hover outside London's St. Mary's Hospital in 1982 and in 2013 during the royal birth announcements.Today
The prince said the couple is still \"working on a name,\" assuring the crowd the couple would have one \"as soon as we can.\" Prince Charles and Princess Diana took a week to announce Will's name.
Prince William said the couple is still \"working on a name,\" assuring the crowd the couple would have one \"as soon as we can.\" Prince Charles and Princess Diana took a week to announce Will's name.Today
The infant will be third in line to the British throne, after his father and grandfather, Prince Charles. He is the first grandchild for both Prince Charles and the Middleton family.
The infant will be third in line to the British throne, after his father and grandfather, Prince Charles. He is the first grandchild for both Prince Charles and the Middleton family.Today

Prior to Diana's appearance, a weary but affable Prince Charles emerged from London’s St. Mary’s Hospital to a cheering crowd of baby watchers who had been chanting, “We want Charlie! We want Charlie!”

In a video taken by reporters, the prince appeared calm despite being immediately swallowed up by media representatives, cameramen and random well-wishers, including one who congratulated him with a peck on the cheek that left behind a smear of lipstick.

“I’m honestly relieved and delighted. It’s marvelous,” he said when asked how he felt about being a father. “It’s rather a grown up thing I’ve found. It’s rather shock to my system.”

Much like in 1982, there was a horde of media camped outside of St. Mary’s Hospital last week as the royal baby watch dragged beyond the middle of the month. Despite the heat wave that blanketed the city, journalists dutifully staked out spots that would give them the best view of the Duchess of Cambridge once she finally went into labor.

The newest royal infant, born at 4:24 p.m. local time (11:24 a.m. ET) on Monday, will be third in line to the British throne, after the child’s father and grandfather, Prince Charles.

Of the latest royal birth news, Prince Charles told BBC News he was "thrilled and very excited", while Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, described the baby boy's arrival as "a wonderfully uplifting moment for the country". Both visited the new parents on Tuesday, chatting briefly with staff that was lined up on the steps before entering the building.

Princess Diana's pregnancy style

Slideshow  8 photos

Princess Diana's pregnancy style

The Princess of Wales was known for her sense of style and that didn’t change during her pregnancies. From William to Harry, Princess Diana continued wearing stunning looks while sporting her baby bumps.

Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, also visited the hospital Tuesday, speaking briefly to the gathered press on the way out. "He's absolutely beautiful," Carole said of the baby. "They're both doing really well. We're so thrilled."

On Tuesday, a Kensington Palace spokesman said, “Mother, son and father are all doing well this morning.”

Duchess Kate's maternity style

Slideshow  17 photos

Duchess Kate's maternity style

From the moment the royal couple announced in December 2012 that they were expecting, the world has been captivated by Kate's many maternity looks.