On the 6 May 2003, following statement has been released:
According to Daily Mail, “Mr Setchell was present for the operation, which was carried out by surgeon Sukhpal Singh with gynaecologist Anne Deans and midwife Adrienne Price.” Those people literally saved Sophie’s life and her baby’s as well. The birth followed a traumatic failed pregnancy in December 2001, when Sophie was airlifted to hospital after suffering an ectopic pregnancy.
On the 10 November 2003 following statement has been issued:
“Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex was safely delivered of a baby girl by emergency caesarean section at 11.32pm on Saturday 8th November, at the Frimley Park NHS Hospital in Surrey. The weight of the baby was 4lbs 9oz. (2.07 kg) Her Royal Highness and her daughter are both stable. As a purely precautionary measure, the baby was taken to the regional neo natal unit at St George’s Hospital, Tooting. The medical team attending Her Royal Highness were Mr Gareth Beynon (Consultant Obstetrician/gynaecologist); Mr Sukhpal Singh (Consultant Surgeon); Anne Deans (Consultant Obstetrician/gynaecologist); Dr Peta Maltby (Consultant Paediatrician ); Dr Melinda Brazier (SpR Anaesthetics); Dr Claire Edkins (Consultant Anaesthetics); Dr Paul Wong (SHO Anaesthetics); Mr Adam Lewis (Sarjeant Surgeon to The Queen); and Mr Marcus Setchell (Surgeon Gynaecologist). The Earl of Wessex, who was on an official visit to Mauritius, flew home early to be with his wife and daughter. His Royal Highness has now cancelled or postponed planned engagements for the early part of this week, but will represent Her Royal Highness at a reception for the Brainwave charity on Wednesday evening. The Countess’s previously arranged engagements on 17 and 18 November have now been cancelled. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are being kept informed of the progress of both The Countess and her baby, and they are very pleased that they are both doing well. Her Royal Highness and her daughter will remain in hospital for the foreseeable future.”
The Countess remained at Frimley Park Hospital until she was well enough to be discharged, on 19 November 2003. Her baby daughter was moved back to Frimley Park Hospital on 13 November, from a neo-natal unit in St George’s Hospital, Tooting, London.
The Countess of Wessex and her baby girl were finally reunited on the 23rd November, when TRH’s daughter could finally go home with her happy parents! As the family posed for press photographs before leaving, Sophie said: “It is the best day ever.” Asked what their plans were, she said: “Just to be a family.” Articles by BBC here & here.
On the 26 November 2003 we’ve heard names chosen for the baby girl:
“The names chosen by The Earl and Countess of Wessex for their daughter are Louise, Alice, Elizabeth, Mary.” Before the wedding, the royal couple decided, with The Queen’s agreement, that their children would use the courtesy titles as sons or daughters of an Earl rather than the style Prince or Princess. TRH’s daughter’s title and name is: Lady Louise Windsor (Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor)
Those names honour:
LOUISE:
2 great-great-great-great grandmothers from both sides of the family, The Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II:
Louise of Hesse-Cassel, Queen Consort of Denmark.
Louise of Battenberg, Lord Mountbatten’s sister and sister of Alice of Battenberg, mother of Prince Philip – Duke of Edinburgh. Louise of Battenberg became Queen Consort of Sweden.
ALICE:
Alice was the name of Prince Phillip’s mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg.
ELIZABETH:
Tribute to Queen Mother & Queen Elizabeth II
MARY:
Mary was the name of the Queen’s grandmother, Queen Mary of Teck and also of the Countess of Wessex’ mother.
The surname Mountbatten-Windsor was assumed by the Queen for her descendants in 1960, when it was decreed, via a 1960 Order-in-Council, that those descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip who were not Princes or Princesses of the United Kingdom should hold the surname Mountbatten-Windsor, incorporating Prince Phillip’s surname, previously, on the insistence of the Queen’s grandmother, Queen Mary of Teck, ( the widow of George V, who established the surname of Windsor for his dynasty) the surname of the Queen and her descendants remained Windsor. SOURCE.
 |
| Christening: Official photograph, taken by Patrick Lichfield, released to the media via Camera Press |
Final statement was issued on the 8 April 2004:
The christening of Lady Louise Windsor will take place at the private chapel at Windsor, on Saturday 24th April. The godparents chosen by The Earl and Countess of Wessex for their daughter will be Lady Sarah Chatto, Lord Ivar Mountbatten, Lady Alexandra Etherington, Mrs Francesca Schwarzenbach and Mr Rupert Elliott.
Note for Editors:
This is a private christening. One official photograph, taken by Patrick Lichfield, will be released to the media on the day via Camera Press.
Royal christenings
Christenings in the Royal Family have traditionally been private occasions, attended by family, godparents and close friends, (with the exception of The Queen’s grand daughter, Princess Eugenie of York, who was christened during morning service at the church of St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham, on 23 December 1990).
Royal Christening Robe
The Royal christening robe, of fine Honiton lace lined with white satin, was made in 1841 for the christening of Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, Victoria, Princess Royal. In 1894 the robe was given by Queen Victoria to the Duchess of York (later Queen Mary), all of whose children were christened in it. In the next generation it was worn by the children of King George VI, of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, and of Prince George, Duke of Kent. The children of The Queen and of Princess Margaret were christened in it, and it has subsequently been used for the christenings of all The Queens grandchildren and other Royal babies, including the grand children of Princess Margaret.
 |
|
handout photo via PA taken by The Duke of York
|
Finally on 7 January 2004 followed this statement re first official photos:
A set of official photographs to mark the birth of Lady Louise Windsor is being released for first publication on Saturday, 10 January 2004. A further three photographs will be released for publication on Sunday, 11 January 2004. The family photographs were taken by The Duke of York at Sandringham over the Christmas holiday. One image will be available free to members of the media via the Press Association. All profits made from the sale of the other photographs will go to The Earl and Countess of Wessex Charitable Trust (WESSEX YOUTH TRUST). The Trust, founded in June 1999, is a grant-making trust. Its primary aim is to assist other registered charities and charitable causes, in particular those with which The Earl and Countess have personal connections or interests.
The Trust is particularly interested in supporting projects which provide opportunities to help, support and advance young people. It meets twice a year to consider new applications and review progress from previous recipients. Since 1999, the Trust has made grants totalling £537,265 to a total of 77 charities. Of these charities, 51 were located in England, 20 in other parts of the UK and 6 overseas.
HRH The Countess of Wessex 
I think her pregnancy was announced quite early (before the 12 week mark) because she had to cancel engagements and couldn't go to the Caymen Islands with Edward. I suppose they had to announce it because if they hadn't and Sophie had cancelled there would have been rumours circling. Little Louise was so small and cute. What a nice idea to do a throwback post to Louise and James' births. 🙂
LikeLike
Poor Sophie. People can say what they like about her, but she had the unfortunate circumstances of being a bride “after Diana's death” where she was compared to Diana in “looks” and then to have to go through a series of difficult births. And then Edward not being there for the birth of Lady Louise because everything happened so suddenly — life seemed so unkind to Sophie at that point. But here she is now and looking grand as ever with a beautiful family. I love their photos — genuine and natural — with the Queen looking so relax in her yellow outfit in the christening photo. 🙂
LikeLike
it was announced on the 6th of May, Prince Edward did travel to Cayman Islands after the 6th May. HRH has cancelled some other engagements after that announcment.
LikeLike
but as her due date was 'early in December', the news were posted before the 12 weeks mark.
LikeLike
Do u think lady louise is a princess
LikeLike
Not according to her parent's wishes. However some people question if this is valid, as technically every child born to a Prince (son of HM) carries the same title.
LikeLike