One of Prince William’s closest friends was forced to perform a far from royal delivery when his wife went into labour at home.
Leading event rider Harry Meade, 30, was forced to step in as midwife when he realised wife Rosie would not make it to hospital in time.
The couple – who go on skiing holidays with Harry’s Eton pal William and Kate – gave birth to son Charlie on Wednesday at their farm cottage in West Littleton, Wilts.
The 8lb 6oz bundle of joy arrived nine days past his due date but still managed to catch out his dad, who was once tipped as a potential godparent for Prince George.
Writing on his blog, Harry said: “Things didn’t go quite as planned as it all happened very fast and unfortunately we didn’t make it to hospital in time – or even out of the house.
“I dialled 999 to call an ambulance and was told by the operator ‘you’re going to have to deliver the baby on your own!’
“It was like being a passenger on a plane and realising mid-flight that you’re the only person on board and are going to have to land the thing yourself!
“Rosie was very brave considering she went through the entire experience in truly biblical fashion, without any form of pain relief or qualified assistance!
“It was not at all what either of us had planned, but thankfully it all went smoothly and both Rosie and Charlie are doing really well.
“I’m so relieved that they are both ok and I’m able to hang up my midwifery boots and go back to a career in eventing!?”
Harry and Rosie wed at Northleach, Gloucestershire, in 2010, and counted Prince William and Kate as wedding guests.
It was the first time the duo had arrived at a public occasion together, fuelling rumours a proposal was on the cards.
The quartet shared a skiing holiday to the Swiss Alps in March, with expectant Kate staying off the slopes in favour of cooing over Harry and Rosie’s daughter Lily Florence, two.
