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Split image of Prince William and Kate Middleton holding Prince Charlotte and of Princess Charlotte looking shocked© Getty Images

The major mishap that happened around Princess Charlotte's birth revealed

Jason Knauf appeared in an interview on 60 Minutes Australia

Matthew Moore
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead
February 23, 2025
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Royal fans were delighted on 2 May 2015 when it was announced that the Princess of Wales had given birth to her second child, Princess Charlotte.

The announcement of a royal birth is a carefully choreographed operation. However, during an appearance on 60 Minutes Australia, Jason Knauf, a former royal aide to William and Kate, revealed that there was a major mishap when it came to announcing Charlotte's birth.

WATCH: Former royal aide reveals mishap that happened around Princess Charlotte's birth

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Speaking on the show, Jason revealed that he had written down information on Charlotte's birth, including her time of birth and weight, in order to write it into a press release. However, when speaking to a group of journalists outside the hospital, he realised that he had lost the slip.

"We weren't going to announce it for another couple of hours," he explained. "And I had this piece of paper to go write this press release. I'm still out there with hundreds of journalists trying to have a game face, and then I couldn't find the piece of paper, and I think I had dropped it somewhere on the street."

Jason Knauf appearing on 60 Minutes Australia© Instagram
Jason spoke on a range of topics with 60 Minutes Australia

"Oh my God. Which we managed to get through, but not announce it. But somewhere on that street the entire time was a piece of paper that said there had been a little princess born, what time and how much she weighed. It was one of those things, like, heart in mouth until we got to the announcement, and I got through it."

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When asked if he had ever found the slip, Jason responded: "No, I never found it and neither did any of the media though. So that's all that really mattered."

Princess Kate and Prince William with their baby daughter© AFP via Getty Images
Charlotte welcomed introduced by William and Kate hours after her birth

Princess Charlotte was born at 8.34am on 2 May 2015, weighing 8lb 3oz. The birth took place at St Mary's Hospital in London. As Charlotte was delivered relatively quickly, the couple left the Lindo Wing in the late afternoon, just hours after Kate had given birth.

Since her birth, Princess Charlotte has developed her own independent streak and can often be seen looking after her brothers, whether it's reminding Prince George to bow at their late grandmother's funeral, or just keeping an eye on her rambunctious younger brother.

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis inside Westminster Abbey© WPA Pool
Charlotte looks after her siblings

Charlotte's 'mother hen' attitude even extends to her mother, and during Kate's appearance at last year's Trooping the Colour, which was her first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis, Charlotte made sure to look after her.

Speaking to HELLO!, royal author Ingrid Seward said: "I think that Charlotte is really taking care of her mum. It was quite sweet the way she stood in front of her and they kept chatting. Charlotte seems to be very full of admiration for her mother, which I think is a lovely thing, too."

Princess Charlotte looking up at Kate Middleton© Getty Images
Kate and Charlotte have a close relationship

She added: "Kate and Charlotte are great friends, and I think to Kate, their bond is very precious. The mother-daughter relationship is obviously particularly important to Kate because she has such a close relationship with her own mother, Carole Middleton."

See Jason's other major revelations from his interview here.

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