But not to historian Miles Taylor at the University of London.

“I think there is still a place for monarchy. It is the most visible and familiar symbol of our national identity, whether that’s British or English or formerly imperial, now Commonwealth. People not only respect it, they are enthralled to it," he said.

Indeed, the royal baby was a celebrity before he was born, complete with his own unofficial souvenirs. But the role he will inherit will be very different from the one his great-grandmother took on more than 60 years ago. Queen Elizabeth presided over the evolution of the royal family from an unapproachable imperial ideal to a modern, less formal “first family.”

Still, someday, barring unforeseen tragedy or political upheaval, the new royal baby will become King - head of state in more than a dozen countries, leader of the 54-nation Commonwealth and symbol of Britain’s national identity - with a lineage dating back hundreds of years. It’s a heavy responsibility, one the child will spend a lifetime preparing to take on.