The first photos released by Prince William and Kate Middleton of their newborn son Prince George are a sure sign that they are modern parents who are not afraid to put a contemporary spin on royal traditions.
Taken by Kate's father Michael Middleton in the garden of the Middleton family home, the photocall was very much a relaxed, family affair which broke with the royal convention of using a commissioned official photographer.
Proving that the young family are in touch with the digital age, the two photos were beamed around the world via Clarence House's Twitter account. In the relaxed setting, William and Kate are beaming as they proudly hold their sleeping newborn baby son in their arms.
Many royal watchers have commented that they will follow in the footsteps of William's late mother Princess Diana whose practical and playful approach revolutionised the royal households.
HELLO! Online looks at how the Duke and Duchess are moving with the times.
— Although George's birth was later announced via the traditional easel method at Buckingham Palace, news first broke of his arrival into the world via a press release emailed from Kensington Palace.
— It is an image that will be etched on the nation's memory for generations to come
– William driving his new family away from the hospital back to their Kensington Palace home. "I think driving your son and your wife away from, from hospital was really important to me," William said about not using a chauffeur in an interview with CNN. "And I don't like fuss so it's much easier to just do it yourself."
— The first-time dad had niftily put their £80 car seat into the car just moments before. He did admit that he had practised in advance, "Believe me, it wasn't my first time. And I know there’s been speculation about that. I had to practice, I really did."
— William was at the hospital with Kate throughout the birth and unlike his own father Prince Charles, stayed overnight in the room with his wife and new son at St Mary's Hospital.
— William looked every inch a hands-on dad when he left the hospital in chinos and a blue shirt with his sleeves rolled up unlike Charles who wore a suit when he and Diana left the hospital with William in 1982.
— When the proud new parents spoke to press, Kate revealed that her husband of two-and-a-half years had changed the first nappy.
— Although there was no chance of getting a replica of the bespoke Jenny Packham dress that Kate wore when left the hospital, George was wrapped in swaddling cloths readily available from online shops - he was just two days old and the 'Prince George effect' was born!
— After introducing George to the Queen and other senior members of the royal family at Kensington Palace, the new parents went to Kate's parents' house in Berkshire where they spent their first few days with the baby. Previous royal babies have spent their first days in palaces but Kate chose to go home to where she feels safe and secure.
— So far, the couple have not taken on a nanny to raise George. Despite having hired Italian housekeeper Antonella Fresolone to oversee their family household, it remains to be seen whether they will employ full-time or part-time help for George.
