Before he met his first grandson, Prince Charles was busy meeting . . . some meat inspectors! The second in line to the British throne, 64, was 200 miles away from the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital in London on Monday, July 22 as daughter-in-law Kate Middleton, gave birth to their first child, the as-yet-unnamed Prince of Cambridge. (Charles’ eldest son Prince William has been at his wife’s side since she checked in early Monday morning.)
Honoring a previously scheduled two-day visit to York as royal baby fever kicked into high gear, Queen Elizabeth‘s eldest son started out the morning telling reporters he knew “absolutely nothing” in the way of baby updates. “We’re waiting.”
After numerous stops in the area, Charles turned up at Dovecot Park in Pontrefact, West Yorkshire, where the noted environmentalist dutifully toured a meat packing plant — looking askance at a cow head, dubiously inspecting a conveyer belt of steaks, and generally having a fun, goofy time.
(Back in April, Charles — who has long campaigned for British farmers and the organic movement — was recognized for his support of the British livestock industry, winning the Royal Smithfield Bicentenary Trophy Award.)
After the the baby prince arrived at 4:24 p.m. — weight 8 lbs., 6 oz. — Charles said in a stament: “Both my wife and I are overjoyed at the arrival of my first grandchild,” says Charles, who is first in line to the British throne. “It is an incredibly special moment for William and Catherine and we are so thrilled for them on the birth of their baby boy.”
Charles wasn’t the only royal relation not in London for the big event. His younger son Harry is currently stationed at his Royal Air Force base Wattisham with his Apache squadron. Although in London, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip awaited the news at Buckingham Palace. Kate Middleton’s parents and siblings, meanwhile, had not yet appeared at St. Mary’s by early evening.