Princess Charlotte’s Birth: A Near Miss with a Major Media Leak
Imagine the scene: it’s May 2015, and anticipation is surging around the imminent arrival of Princess Charlotte, the second child of Prince William and Kate Middleton. With a swarm of journalists practically camping outside the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital in London, every moment counts—especially for former royal aide Jason Knauf, who was tasked with crafting the all-important birth announcement. To everyone’s relief, a slip-up that could have turned that moment into a full-blown media frenzy was averted at the last second. In a juicy interview with 60 Minutes Australia, Knauf let slip the behind-the-scenes drama of that day, where he almost lost a crucial note containing key birth details—like the weight of the baby (8 lbs, 3 oz), the time of birth (8:34 a.m.), and of course, the announcement of the newest addition to the royal family.
Knauf recounted the absolute chaos of having that piece of paper slip through his fingers while maintaining a “game face” outside amidst countless eager photographers. “We weren’t going to announce it for another couple of hours, and I had this piece of paper to go write this press release,” he explained, detailing how a misplaced paper could have gotten into the hands of those press sharks circling outside. Luckily, the leak never happened, and the couple was able to give that classic royal photo op on the steps of the hospital—quietly affirming that they had a daughter and that she was indeed a healthy little princess.
Charlotte Elizabeth Diana—named after both Queen Elizabeth and the beloved late Princess Diana—has grown up under the media’s watchful eye ever since. Today, she, alongside her brothers Prince George and Prince Louis, navigates royal life that feels more scrutinized than ever—especially as social media becomes a constant factor in their lives, a concern that weighs heavily on her parents, according to Knauf. And believe me, no family knows the pressures of the spotlight better than this one, with Prince William opening up about his worries for his kids, given his own tumultuous childhood in the public eye.
So here’s to Princess Charlotte, whose first moments were cloaked in mystery, but thankfully remained free from premature publicity scares—at least for this big royal reveal.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, 60 Minutes Australia
