Skip to main content

Britain's Prince William, carries the Prince of Cambridge to the car, Tuesday July 23, 2013, as they leave St. Mary's Hospital exclusive Lindo Wing in London where the Duchess gave birth on Monday July 22. The Royal couple are expected to head to London’s Kensington Palace from the hospital with their newly born son, the third in line to the British throne.Joel Ryan/The Associated Press

Millions of people watched yesterday as a blissful and rested looking Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, dressed in a baby-blue polka-dot dress that emphasized her post-partum bump, introduced newborn baby George to the world.

New daddy Will made a joke about the baby having more hair than him; everyone laughed and all was wonderful.

The couple re-entered the hospital briefly and then exited again with George in a car seat.

All around the world, "oohs" and "ahhs" could be heard as Will put the car seat into the back of the Range Rover, got into the driver's seat and took off for home.

Perfect moment.

But online commenters were quick to point out that the royal parents are rookies, despite the around-the-clock help at their disposal.

Baby George, scrunching up his face as he was put into the car, had his seat belt all askew.

He was swaddled in his clothes, and only one strap of a five-point seat belt was across him, much like an adult's seat belt would sit on them.

The internet erupted. One comment on a post about the topic on the BabyCenter blog was critical: "For those that say maybe they just didn't know or anything because they are first-time parents that to me doesn't make them off the hook. I am pregnant now with my first and I have done soooo much research on this so I know that my [baby] will be safe when we get into that vehicle," the comment read.

But others were more forgiving. Carolyn Robertson commented on the post as well, writing, "If the world had been watching me and my husband in the days and weeks (and months!) after our first baby was born I'm sure they'd have a laundry list of mistakes to choose from. And that was without the added pressure of media scrutiny and public spotlight."

Overall, most people seemed to be pretty empathetic, insisting Will and Kate will pick it all up with time, and without millions of people watching.

It is sort of refreshing though that, like everyone else, even royals need some time to learn the ropes.

Interact with The Globe