When Kate Middleton was expecting her first two children—Prince George and Princess Charlotte—the royal family brought together a highly skilled medical team to ensure everything went smoothly. But this wasn’t just any team; they were handpicked for their expertise, professionalism, and ability to keep secrets. Not only did they have to maintain strict confidentiality about Kate's pregnancy, but they were also under some pretty unique restrictions. For example, during the months leading up to the births, the entire team was required to abstain from alcohol while on standby, just in case an unexpected call came in.

A Dream Team of Specialists

This elite crew consisted of 20 carefully chosen professionals, including two obstetricians, three midwives, three anesthesiologists, four surgical staff members, two special care specialists, four pediatricians, one lab technician (for blood tests), and three or four managers. That’s quite the lineup! Each member brought something essential to the table, ensuring every possible scenario was covered. Obstetrics Professor Tiong Ghee Teoh, who was part of the team but not present at the actual births, explained it best to People: “We had a team of experts ready for anything that could go wrong. Everyone was sworn to secrecy.” The team even met once a month to discuss Kate’s progress, keeping everyone aligned and prepared for whatever lay ahead.

Why No Drinking? The Logic Behind the Rule

One of the more interesting rules imposed on the team was the ban on alcohol consumption during the final trimester. Dr. Johanna Bray, an anesthesiologist who was part of the group, broke it down for People. She said, “You never know when you’re going to get the call. You need to be alert, in town, and ready to go at a moment’s notice. If you’re at a party, you’ve got to have your car keys in hand. No drinking!” And if that sounds intense, consider this: Dr. Bray and her colleagues were on call for three solid months. That’s right—three months of sobriety, dedication, and preparation. In fact, Dr. Bray joked that her husband handled childcare duties during this time, which must have been a relief for her.

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Kate Middleton with the royal family in Germany 2017

Dr. Bray emphasized the importance of staying alert and prepared. “You can’t afford to be anything less than 100% ready,” she explained. “If you’re out celebrating with friends, you need to have your car ready to go. There’s no room for error when you’re dealing with something as significant as a royal birth.” And to all the doctors out there currently living the sober life while waiting for the arrival of royal baby number three—our hats are off to you!

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This story was penned by Rebecca Cope and originally appeared on our sister site, Grazia Daily.