The stroller fit for a prince (or princess!): From Queen Elizabeth to Diana and George, how Silver Cross strollers have carried generations of royal babies – and now James Middleton’s child has one too
The Princess of Wales’ brother James Middleton has followed a royal tradition – carting his newborn around in a Silver Cross stroller.
The 36-year-old entrepreneur, who was already a doting dad, fit right in with the West London backdrop as he pushed a £795 buggy from the British brand as he enjoyed a stroll around Notting Hill on Tuesday with his wife Alizee Thevenet and their first child.
Silver Cross has been the royal family’s favorite stroller for almost a century.
Considered ‘the most exclusive stroller in the world’, a Silver Cross carried the late Queen Elizabeth II, her children, grandchildren and her great-grandchild, including Kate’s children.
Prince William’s mother, Princess Diana, also spent her first days in the buggy being pushed around her family’s estate at Althorp in Northamptonshire, while both the late Queen and King Charles spent part of their early months in a Silver Cross.
The Princess of Wales’ brother James Middleton was spotted walking through Notting Hill on Tuesday with his wife Alizee Thevenet and their first child (pictured together). The entrepreneur, 36, fit right in with the West London decor as he pushed a £795 Silver Cross pushchair
Invented in 1877 by William Wilson due to a lack of suitable buggies for his own children, prams became extremely popular in the 1960s.
The inventor opened a small workshop in Silver Cross Street, Leeds, where he expanded the business with the help of his three sons.
In 1913 it became the official royal pram and a special edition was made and sent to George VI for Princess Elizabeth, who is now Queen.
After moving to larger premises, an old silk factory in Guiseley, it has grown into a global brand.
Television images of the late Her Majesty pushing her children around royal estates in one go have helped make them a ‘must-have’ baby accessory for the wealthy.
The strollers were often seen being pushed by Norland Nannies wearing their signature brown uniforms, while Kate and William recently took Prince George around in a Silver Cross stroller.
James and his French financier wife, 33, have also opted for a Silver Cross stroller for their first child.
The baby – whose gender has not been revealed – is the first cousin of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis and the niece or nephew of Kate and William.
A photo from 1965 shows Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with their children, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward in his Silver Cross
The buggy brand has been the favorite stroller of the British royal family for almost a century. In the photo, Kate pushed Princess Charlotte in a vintage stroller for the baby boy’s christening in 2015
The parents have kept the baby’s exact details and date of birth private. It’s believed he or she was born in recent weeks as James shared a photo of his then-pregnant wife on September 12 to celebrate their anniversary and declare “the best is yet to come.”
The couple, who live near where Kate, sister Pippa and James grew up in Bucklebury, Berkshire, walked along Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill.
James announced Alizee’s pregnancy on Instagram in July, where he shared a photo of his wife in an olive green dress with their dog Mable in a beautiful rural setting.
“We couldn’t be more excited… well, Mable maybe,” James wrote, before referencing his difficult year following the death of his dog Ella.
Queen Elizabeth II being pushed in her Silver Cross pram, followed by Queen Mary in 1927, the Queen Mother, King George V and her father, King George VI, through the grounds of Balmoral
1952: Young Charles looks around to call one of his mother’s Corgis and is taken to Clarence House in his luxury buggy
A photo from 1963 shows Prince William’s mother, Diana, sitting in her buggy as a child in the grounds of Althorp in Northamptonshire
“It has been a very difficult start to the year after the loss of my beloved Ella, but we will end the year with the most precious little addition to our growing family.”
It’s likely that Kate will definitely welcome being an aunt again, as she’s often said she feels “broody.”
James and Kate’s sister Pippa also has three children with her husband James Matthews: – Arthur, Grace and Rose – meaning the new addition will be Carole and Michael Middleton’s seventh grandchild.