Kate Middleton Exits Hospital with New Baby, Impeccable Hair

For the average woman who just gave birth, having perfect hair is probably low on her list of priorities. But the whole world tuned in as Kate Middleton, Prince William, and their new baby prince exited the Ludo wing of St. Mary's Hospital on Tuesday. With swarms of photographers and cameramen staking out the hospital exits to capture the new expanded royal family's, who can blame the Duchess of Cambridge for wanting to look pulled together? Early this morning her private stylist, Amanda Cook Tucker, was enlisted to tame and curl Middleton's brown hair.

Arthur Edwards, a longtime royal photographer working for The Sun, tweeted that he spotted Middleton's stylist entering the Lindo Wing in London at 9:56 am that morning. Nine hours later, Middleton's signature coif looked frizz-free and flawless as she held her new baby in her arms. Edwards has been photographing the royal family since 1977 and was also waiting outside St. Mary's when Prince William was born in 1982, so it's no surprise that he was able to spot Middleton's hairdresser in the crowd. Tucker arrived at the hospital with a suitcase full of grooming supplies. She was accompanied by a female assistant who was carrying a baby car seat, presumably for the young prince to ride in on the way home from the hospital, and some clothing in a garment bag, perhaps containing clothes for the royal couple.

Middleton used to be a loyal client at Richard Ward's salon in London's Chelsea neighborhood, until last September, when Amanda Cook Tucker, 50, accompanied the royal couple on their Diamond Jubilee tour to South-East Asia. Tucker may be a low-profile stylist, but she had already been cutting the hair of Prince William and Harry since they were children, and she became Middelton's go-to stylist during her pregnancy since she makes house calls. A source told the Daily Mail that "Amanda is an expert at what Kate loves - full glossy blow dries that hold."

Apparently Tucker's ex-husband, Neville Tucker, was also in the beauty biz and also has Royal connections. The Daily Mail reports that his Knightsbridge salon held the Royal Warrant (issued to tradespeople who provide goods or services to royalty) from 1980 to 1994 and he worked with the Queen's longest-serving hairdresser, Charles Martyn.

The royal family's brief appearance was touching, and Middleton's hair, makeup, and outfit were impeccable. William noted that his baby has more hair than he does, so Tucker may soon have a new client in the young prince.