Royal Baby: 11 Surprising Facts

By Jim Denison, Op-ed Contributor Monday, July 22, 2013

As everyone in the galaxy knows, Kate had her baby. But not everyone knows the following facts (at least I didn't). One: We may not know the boy's name for some time. It was a week before William's name was announced, while Charles's name remained a mystery for a month. He is officially "His Royal Highness Prince (insert name) of Cambridge."

Two: Bookmakers have placed odds on the royal baby name. Three: They are also offering odds of 4-1 that the baby inherits the recessive red hair gene, as Harry did. Four: He will be christened in a replica of the gown worn by Queen Victoria's eldest daughter in 1841.

Five: A 41-gun salute in London parks greeted the birth. Six: Following tradition, a royal aide emerged from the hospital with a signed bulletin on Buckingham Palace letterhead. The bulletin was driven to Buckingham Palace, where it was posted on an easel in public view in front of the building. At the same time, the birth was announced on Twitter (the first use of social media for a royal birth) and the media were notified. We were told the baby's gender, weight, and time of birth.

Seven: William will take two weeks for paternity leave before returning to his military duties as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot in Wales. Eight: Some economists predict a $380 million boost to the U.K. economy.

Nine: The baby is third in line for the British throne, behind his grandfather Charles and his father William. Ten: It's been 120 years since a monarch was serving at the birth of his or her great-grandchild in direct succession. And eleven: No government officials were required to attend the birth. At one time they were, "as evidence that it was really a royal birth and the baby hadn't been smuggled in," according to England's home secretary. Fortunately for Kate, the practice was abolished by George VI.

William and Kate's new son was born to privileges most of us will never know. But you and I are even more privileged. He is third in line to the throne, but Christians are children of the King himself: "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26). Now we have "an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4). Your culture defines you by your title, your possessions, and your achievements. God defines you by his love for you.

A man asked a thousand people as they walked by, "Who are you?" Every person responded with what he or she did for a living: "I'm a doctor," or "I'm a teacher," or "I'm a businessman." The next time someone asks you who you are, say: "I'm a child of the King." How is that fact relevant to your life today?

Adapted from Dr. Jim Denison's daily cultural commentary at www.denisonforum.org. Jim Denison, Ph.D., is a cultural apologist, building a bridge between faith and culture by engaging contemporary issues with biblical truth. He founded the Denison Forum on Truth and Culture in February 2009 and is the author of seven books, including "Radical Islam: What You Need to Know." For more information on the Denison Forum, visit www.denisonforum.org. To connect with Dr. Denison in social media, visit www.twitter.com/jimdenison or www.facebook.com/denisonforum. Original source: www.denisonforum.org.