[post_page_title]A government minister was still required to witness Queen Elizabeth’s birth[/post_page_title]
Having a government official on hand to certify royal births seems medieval, but three decades into the 20th century that was precisely still the situation. When the Duchess of York, later Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, gave birth to Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret in 1926 and 1930, respectively, the Home Secretary was required to be just outside her door.
The Queen’s cousin, Princess Alexandra, was the last royal baby born with a Home Secretary as a witness, as Elizabeth’s father, George VI, abolished the practice. Interestingly, the Home Secretary’s still involved in royal births today – but only through breaking the news to important figures like London’s Lord Mayor.
