The image of a mother and baby is special at any time, but the one you see on the cover of this month’s souvenir edition of The Australian Women’s Weekly is historic.
When the Duchess of Cambridge appeared on the steps of St Mary’s Hospital in London with newborn Prince George in her arms, the world was watching. It marked the moment when Catherine stepped into the role of Diana, as the woman charged with raising a future king.
I am quietly confident that this month’s Women’s Weekly cover will become a collector’s item alongside the cover this magazine did back in 1982 of a 20-year-old Diana as she faced the world in a polka-dot dress with a tightly wrapped William in her arms.
It also represents the continued evolution of a young woman formerly known for being the “commoner who married a prince” — another step in her transformation to become a future queen. A woman who is vital to the future of the modern monarchy.
During her courtship with Prince William, Catherine presented flawlessly. Through the period of their engagement, she strode assuredly. And as the world watched the royal wedding she didn’t put a foot wrong.
Catherine and William’s wedding in 2011 made for another special souvenir issue of The Weekly that is one of my personal favourites and has also been a favourite among our readers.
Since that moment she has seemingly effortlessly shouldered the not insignificant pressure to deliver the next heir to the British throne.
To give you an idea of how excited we were to bring you this souvenir issue celebrating Catherine becoming a mother and marking the arrival of HRH Prince George of Cambridge, we actually stopped the presses to bring you the best possible coverage.
I hope you agree that our 17-page picture special captures the magic of this special event.
Read more of this story in the August issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly.
