Call the midwives! The calm duo who delivered the Princess after striking up close rapport with Kate
- Midwives Arona Ahmed and boss Jacqui Dunkley-Bent delivered Princess
- They struck up close rapport with Duchess of Cambridge during first birth
- Team of surgeons were led by royal gynaecologist Mr Guy Thorpe-Beeston
- Kate gave birth to a girl just 154 minutes after being admitted to hospital
The unsung heroines of the Royal birth were midwives Arona Ahmed (right) and her boss, Jacqui Dunkley-Bent (left)
The unsung heroines of the Royal birth were midwives Arona Ahmed and her boss, Jacqui Dunkley-Bent, Professor of midwifery at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, who together delivered the Princess.
According to hospital insiders, the professor, 51, had struck up a close rapport with the Duchess of Cambridge when she delivered Prince George two years ago at St Mary's Hospital, West London.
Mrs Ahmed, 44, had missed out on that occasion because her shift ended before the birth and she was replaced by another midwife.
But yesterday, Mrs Ahmed helped at the princess's birth, while the team of suited male surgeons, led by Mr Guy Thorpe-Beeston, Surgeon Gynaecologist to the Royal Household, looked on.
Kate had a meticulous birth plan. She had opted to be seen first by the midwives, and as a source said: 'What the duchess wants, the duchess gets.'
So while the male doctors waited in a nearby room, it was the red-uniformed midwives – the colour denotes their seniority – who monitored Kate as her contractions progressed and supported Prince William.
Both women are experienced, unflappable and have the full confidence of the obstetricians.
It is understood a team of three midwives has been on standby for more than a month to cover three shifts over a 24-hour period should Kate have been admitted early.
By establishing a specific team for the Royal birth, Kate and William ensured that the care of other patients, NHS or private, was not affected or disrupted.
Given the speed of Kate's delivery – just 154 minutes after being admitted to the hospital – it is likely she was in labour at home for some hours before feeling the need to be with her medical team.
The midwives and doctors involved in the delivery of the princess can expect a little 'thank you' party from Kate and William.
A few months after Prince George's birth, medical staff were invited to Kate and William's home at Kensington Palace for an informal get-together, which included a bouncing Prince George. Kate and William provided Marks & Spencer nibbles and happily topped up glasses for their guests.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge glowed with pride as they left the hospital with their new baby daughter - just 12 hours after arriving at the Lindo Wing and ten hours after giving birth
Kate had a meticulous birth plan and opted to be seen first by the midwives. A source said: 'What the duchess wants, the duchess gets'
The team of suited male surgeons were led by Mr Guy Thorpe-Beeston (centre), Surgeon Gynaecologist to the Royal Household
COME HOME HARRY... YOU ARE MISSING ALL THE FUN
While the world welcomed the new princess yesterday, Uncle Harry was at a game of Aussie Rules Football in Perth during a break in his secondment with the Australian Defence Force.
The Queen, in baby pink, with Brigadier Andrew Hughes, and Prince Andrew were at a Royal Lancers parade in Yorkshire, and were clearly delighted by news of the arrival.
While the world welcomed the new princess yesterday, Uncle Harry was at a game of Aussie Rules Football in Perth
The Queen was with Brigadier Andrew Hughes and Prince Andrew at a Royal Lancers parade in Yorkshire
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