Kate Middleton's royal baby post-bump is a boost of confidence for new mums everywhere

When Kate Middleton emerged from the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital on Tuesday evening introducing the royal baby Prince George to the world, it was impossible to ignore how gorgeous she looked.

Dressed in a light-blue, spotted bespoke Jenny Packham sundress, the Duchess of Cambridge's glorious mane was perfectly quaffed - confirming rumours that the royal hairdresser had been called in to the Paddington hospital.

But despite her luscious locks, flawless make-up and glowing tan there was one facet of her figure that was incongruous with the Kate we've all come to recognise - her post-baby bump.

In fact, compared to her pregnancy style of shift dresses that hid her bump entirely before the arrival of Prince George, this empire-line dress actually celebrated Kate's postpartum figure in a refreshingly honest light.

[WATCH: Prince George gives first royal wave!]

[Royal Baby name revealed: Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge]

"Kate looked very natural," says BabyCentre Managing Editor Sarah Barrett. "It was really nice that she didn't try to hide her bump."

"Post-pregnancy bodies are discussed a lot in our community and those post-pregnancy bumps should be embraced because they are a sign of what you've been though - that you've brought a new life into the world."

She added: "Mum's don't like to see people that have dramatically lost weight after giving birth or are desperate to get back into shape."

Kate's decision to shun the Spanx and proudly parade her womanly shape has been applauded by women everywhere, including a whole host of celebrity mums.

Ulrika Johnsson branded the Duchess' decision "fantastic," writing in The Sun: "Kate has set a fabulous example to mums-to-be and women across the world and I applaud her for it."

Meanwhile, former Blue Peter presenter Katy Hill lambasted one magazine for promoting Kate's "post-baby weight loss regime" and instead said Kate should embrace her new waistline.

Writing on her blog, she said: "How ridiculous!  When you have a new baby there are WAY bigger priorities than your increased waistline. 

"Don’t waste a precious moment of that new life worrying.  Live in the moment and celebrate your new body for the fact that it’s just CREATED A HUMAN! HELLO!"

Yet Kate's appearance on Tuesday appearance is of direct contrast to many other celebrity mums, in particular - Kim Kardashian.

The reality star, who gave birth to her daughter North West last month, reportedly banned any sweet treats from the delivery room as she was so desperate to gain her pre-pregnancy figure.

Kim, who has a reputation for courting publicity and drama wherever she goes, has kept surprisingly quiet in the weeks since her daughter's birth and we've yet to see a picture of either mum or baby.