Carole Middleton: 5 Things To Know About The Royal Baby Grandmother, Kate Middleton’s Mom [PHOTOS]

Kate Middleton has been the star of the royals' show for the past several weeks as fans and media anticipated the birth of her first child with husband Prince William, which happened Monday. While the Duchess of Cambridge is a member of the British royal family, it’s Middleton’s mother, Carole Middleton, who is getting a large share of the spotlight now that she's officially the grandmother of the royal baby.

The Mountbatten-Windsor family’s newest addition and future king of England is the first grandchild for Carole, who remained mostly in the background during her daughter’s highly publicized pregnancy and delivery. But the 58-year-old made her first recent public appearance alongside husband Michael Middleton Tuesday at St. Mary’s Hospital in London. Here are five things to know about Kate Middleton’s mother, Carole Middleton:

1. She was one of the first people to see the royal baby. Carole Middleton is one of the lucky few granted permission to get a first glimpse of the royal baby boy at St. Mary's. The new grandmother, who was spotted leaving the medical facility at 3 p.m. Tuesday, told reporters that her grandson is “beautiful.” “They are both doing really well. We are so thrilled,” she said, refusing to comment on possible names for the little prince.

2. She will be a hands-on grandparent. The Duchess’ mother is reportedly planning to serve as nanny to her new grandson. Daughter Kate's decision to utilize family members instead of hired help as childcare providers marks the first time in centuries that in-laws have played a large role in raising a member of the royal family, according to the National Post.

3. She wasn’t in the delivery room. Despite being her own flesh and blood, even Carole Middleton was banned from the room when the Duchess gave birth Monday. According to a report from E! News, only the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, was by Kate's side during the birth at the famous Lindo Wing, where he was born in 1982. Carole and the expectant mother’s sister, Pippa Middleton, 29, were reportedly waiting somewhere in the London-based facility.

4. She was helping hide Kate during her last week of pregnancy. While the world was awaiting the news of the birth of the royal baby, Carole was helping conceal her expectant daughter in her home in Bucklebury, more than 50 miles outside London. Middleton, who visited her parents' home in an effort to spend time with relatives before the birth, was whisked away from the property by officers three days before being admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital early Monday morning.

5. She didn’t know Kate’s due date. Kate Middleton’s due date consistently confused outsiders after the rumored date changed from the originally reported July 13 to July 19. The confusion even led Middleton’s mom to incorrectly predict the child’s birthdate, reportedly telling friends and family that the child’s astrological sign would be Leo, according to a report from the Washington Post. Several days shy of being a Leo, the royal baby's birthdate makes him a Cancer.