The Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a boy, the third in the line to the throne and the future King of Great Britain and Canada.
The announcement came after a long day that began with the Duchess going into labour sometime before 6am London time. She was taken to the private Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s hospital in a car from Kensington Palace with her husband, the Duke of Cambridge. They entered through a back door, avoiding the media throng that had been camped out front of the hospital for weeks.
The baby weighs 8lbs 6oz and was born at 4.24pm.
The palace said in a statement: “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4.24pm. The baby weighs 8lbs 6oz.
“The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.
“The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news.
“Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well and will remain in hospital overnight.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are delighted at the news.”
Soon after the palace announcement was made, a notice giving details about the baby left St Mary’s Hospital in London by car for Buckingham Palace.
It has been signed by the Queen’s former gynaecologist Marcus Setchell, who led the medical team that delivered Kate’s baby.
The notice will be placed on an easel in the palace’s forecourt just like the announcement of William’s birth on June 21, 1982, a traditional element of theatre in marked contrast to the modern age of emails and Twitter.
The new royal baby will be the Queen’s third great-grandchild and is destined to be crowned monarch.
He will be the 43rd sovereign since William the Conqueror if, as expected, it follows reigns by the Prince of Wales then William.