Here's How Kate Middleton's Maternity Leave With Prince Louis Has Been Different Than With George and Charlotte
Kate Middleton is taking more time off for maternity leave with Prince Louis than she did when Prince George and Princess Charlotte were born. Here are the main differences in how the Duchess of Cambridge has handled maternity leave the third time around.

This year has been a big one for royal family fans—we got a royal baby and a royal wedding within weeks of each other and there's another royal wedding coming up in October. Keep it coming, Windsors.
Let's zoom in and focus on just one of those momentous royal occasions: the birth of Prince Louis, Prince William and Kate Middleton's third child. Kate might be a veteran mom at this point, but she's changing up how she's handling her maternity leave in a big way with Louis as compared to her older kids, Prince George and Prince Charlotte.
Difference No. 1: Her first post-baby appearance.
The first and most obvious difference in how Kate has handled maternity leave with Louis is in her first public appearance after giving birth (not counting the adorable photo call as Kate and William left the hospital).
Prince Louis was born on April 23, less than a month before his uncle Prince Harry married Meghan Markle. In spite of the short time between Louis' birth and the royal wedding, Kate made an appearance and even wrangled Charlotte on the big day.
After Prince George and Princess Charlotte's births, Kate waited six weeks and two months, respectively, before making another public appearance, InStyle reports.
Difference No. 2: The overall length of her maternity leave.
Even though Kate has made a few appearances since Louis' birth, she's still officially on maternity leave, which means she's not expected to step out at nearly as many royal engagements as she would be otherwise. According to Town & Country, Kate's maternity leave with Louis will officially last until October—significantly longer than the time she took off with George and Charlotte. Sources close to the royal have suggested this is because she wants to be able to spend more time with all three of her kids and that she may have regretted returning to work so quickly in the past.
RELATED STORY
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Michelle Obama Lassos an Unexpectedly Western Look for SXSW
She seems ready for the 'Cowboy Carter' tour.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Kaia Gerber Has Carried This Tote Bag for Six Months Straight
It's finally back in stock.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Patina Miller’s Sultry New Manicure Is Reviving This Dramatic Nail Shape
It's also easier to DIY than you think.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Prince George Will Make History and Become the First Monarch to Have This Unusual Family Trait
The 11-year-old will one day mark a major royal first.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
This Royal Could Become Prince George's "Greatest Asset" When He Becomes King
A new documentary reveals who George could lean on for support.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Aim for "Normalizing Experiences" So Their Kids Don't Think They're "Elevated"
The princess is integrating her "Middleton upbringing and her family values."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince George Nearly Had a Different Name That Princess Kate "Set Her Heart On"
It's hard to imagine him as anything else.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
How "Grandpa Wales" King Charles Is Connected in a Special Way to Prince Louis
The two are tied together in a sweet way.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Why Princess Charlotte's Birth Announcement Was Almost Thrown Into Chaos, According to Kate and William's Former Aide
"It was one of those things, like, heart in mouth until we got to the announcement."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Kate Middleton Kept Her Cancer Diagnosis Secret for So Long Because She "Hadn't Told" George, Charlotte, and Louis Yet
"It was awful, absolutely awful," a former royal aide explained.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Queen Camilla and Princess Charlotte Share a Sweet Style Connection
It's unexpectedly touching.
By Kristin Contino Published