Royal baby BORN! Kate shows baby son to world as proud William jokes ‘THRICE THE WORRY!'
KATE, the Duchess of Cambridge, has given birth to her third royal baby – a boy – at the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital. The exciting news was confirmed by Kensington Palace today.
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Kate and Prince William welcomed a baby boy into the world today, on St George's Day, weighing 8lbs 7oz, at 11.01am.
Prince William briefly left the London hospital where he told crowds: "Back in a minute" and returned with Princess Charlotte and Prince George.
Princess Charlotte gave the crowds an adorable wave as she trotted up the steps of the Lindo Wing to meet her new royal baby brother.
Prince George appeared slightly shyer as the third in line to throne, still dressed in his school uniform, kept his eyes downcast.
George and Charlotte have later returned to Kensington Palace going through a back door.
The Duchess and Duke of Cambridge introduced the newborn to the world coming out from the hospital's front door at about 5.53pm.
The smiling couple could not hide their excitement while waving to the crowd.
Kate, who was holding the new Prince of Cambridge, stunned those outside the Lindo Wing with an amazing red Jenny Packham dress with a contrasting white collar.
She looked in good health after giving birth this morning to her as yet un-named prince, who is fifth in line to the throne.
While the happy couple was posing for pictures, baby Cambridge, wrapped up against the cool spring weather, could be seen moving his tiny fingers.
After entering again the premises of the St Mary's, William, Kate and the baby approached the car set to drive them to Kensington Palace, where the Middletons and other relatives of the couple are likely to be waiting for the newly-born.
Prince William took the time to joke with the crowd and reporters. Holding up three fingers he said: "Delighted, very happy. Thrice the worry now."
He added: We didn’t keep you waiting too long this time."The family left the hospital at 5.56pm.
Earlier three cheers were given by fans donned in union flag outfits and holding their own royal babies following the announcement of Kate's new baby boy.
Prince William was by his wife’s side when their royal baby was delivered by staff at the London hospital.
The Queen, along with Michael and Carole Middleton, Prince Charles and Camilla have been told of the news.
Kensington Palace announced the news on Twitter, writing: "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 1101hrs."The baby weighs 8lbs 7oz.
"The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.
"Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.
"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."
The Queen missed the arrival of the royal baby as Her Majesty was photgraphed horseriding on the grounds of Winsdor Castle around the time of the announcement.
Earlier a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman confirmed to Express.co.uk Her Majesty is still in Windsor Castle, where she marked the official start of the London Marathon on Sunday.
The spokeswoman also refused to comment on whether the Queen would visit Kate and the royal baby in the Lindo Wing but it appears unlikely as Her Majesty visited Kate and William’s other children Prince George and Princess Charlotte after the proud parents had returned to Kensington Palace.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte will pay a visit to the Lindo Wing to meet their new baby brother.
Kate is then likely to head home to Kensington Palace later today, just as she did with Charlotte in 2015 - but not before introducing the new royal baby to the world on the steps of the Lindo Wing.
George visited newborn Charlotte a few hours after she was born in 2015, arriving with his father, the Duke of Cambridge.
The 21-month-old slightly nervous looking youngster was carried up the steps to the private hospital by William, and gave the crowds a small wave.
George, dressed in blue shorts, a white collared shirt, a blue pullover, long blue socks and black bar shoes, was given a reassuring a kiss on the forehead by the Duke.
A large Union Flag has been raised over Buckingham Palace and a State Standard over Windsor Castle to mark the birth of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's third child.
And an easel has been placed outside Buckingham Palace announcing the baby news. It will remain there for 24 hours.
The practice of posting a bulletin outside the Palace announcing a royal birth has gone on for at least as long as Buckingham Palace has been the Sovereign's official residence - since 1837.
Westminster Abbey announced their bell ringers will ring a full peal tomorrow in celebration on the latest addition to the Royal Family.
The Westminster Twitter account said: Warmest congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their third child. The Abbey's bell ringers will ring a full peal of Cambridge Surprise Royal, starting at 1pm tomorrow, in celebration."
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and The Honourable Artillery Company will also each fire celebratory Royal Salutes at 2pm in London tomorrow to mark the baby’s birth.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive to meet baby brother
Theresa May has joined well-wishers as she sent her "warmest congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby boy."
The Prime Minister added: ”I wish them great happiness for the future.”
Meanwhile the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: "On behalf of Londoners, I want to send our warmest congratulations to the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby boy."
The Royal Navy and the BT Tower also shared messages of congratulations to Kate and William.
Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines on board the HMS Albion formed ‘boy’ on the ship’s flight deck and shared the photograph on Twitter.
Meanwhile BT Tower flashed “It’s a boy” in a blue banner after the news from Kensington Palace was announced.
The London Eye will also light up in red, white and blue later tonight at around 8pm in celebration of the royal baby boy.
The arrival of Kate’s stylist Natasha Archer provided a hint that the announcement of the baby's birth was imminent after she was photographed leaving the hospital.
Ms Archer was spotted getting into a Land Rover escorted by a police officer at around 11:30am today.
At the exclusive Lindo Wing, the Duchess's labour was overseen by consultant obstetrician Guy Thorpe-Beeston, who is the surgeon-gynaecologist to the household, and consultant gynaecologist Alan Farthing, the Queen's surgeon-gynaecologist - part of the trusted team who delivered George and Charlotte.
A team of top medics was also on stand-by in case of an emergency.
The new royal baby has been born on patriotic St George's Day which celebrates the patron saint of England, and arrived just two days after the Queen's 92nd birthday.
All of three of the Duchess of Cambridge's children have weighed more than 8lbs.
But the new prince is not the heaviest royal baby in recent years.
That title falls to Savannah Phillips - the daughter of the Queen's grandson Peter Phillips - who weighed 8lb 8oz in 2010.
The new baby was heavier than both Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Charlotte, at 8lb 3oz, weighed slightly less than George's 8lb 6oz - but was still above average.
The average weight of a baby in the UK is around 7lb 7oz (3.5kg).
Prince William weighed 7lb 1.5oz in 1982, while Prince Charles weighed 7lb 6oz in 1948.
Prince Harry weighed 6lb 14oz in 1984.
The newest arrival is the royal couple’s third child and will be welcomed by big brother Prince George, four, and two-year-old sister Princess Charlotte.
The royal baby is the fifth in line to the British throne, pushing uncle Prince Harry into sixth place.
Princess Charlotte made history when she was born, with the tot retaining her right to the throne even if the third royal baby is a boy.
The new arrival is the Queen and Prince Philip’s sixth great-grandchild.
Crowds gathered outside the hospital erupted in cheers when the news reached them.
And now royal fans across the world will eagerly await the iconic moment Kate and William step out from the hospital to introduce their bundle of joy to the world.
Duchess of Cambridge gives birth to a baby boy
But they might have to wait a few hours as doctors run routine checks on mother and baby.
Express.co.uk previously reported that when Kate gave birth to Prince George, she and Prince William delayed a public announcement so they could enjoy a few precious hours with their newborn without the world watching.
The world’s media are stationed outside the private maternity wing of St Mary’s Hospital, where the happy couple will eventually emerge to show off their new baby to the world.
Kate’s stylist, Natasha Archer, was seen leaving St Mary’s Hospital earlier this morning, sparking speculation Kate had a speedy birth and was already preparing to leave hospital.
The new arrival is also expected to receive visitors including big brother and sister, George and Charlotte, Kate’s parents Carole and Michael Middleton and William’s father Prince Charles and his wife Camilla.
The baby’s name has not yet been revealed. Betting odds have shortened considerably on the name Arthur since the sex of the baby was made public, having already picked up pace earlier this morning.
James, 4-1, is the second favourite ahead of Albert (6-1) and Philip (10-1)
Coral's Harry Aitken said: ”The money is pouring in for Arthur to be the name of the new Royal baby, and our odds have been dropping by the minute. It would certainly be a popular choice, steeped in Royal history, and our customers seem convinced.”
The Duke and Duchess confirmed they were expecting their third child on September 4 as Kate battled with severe morning sickness, also experienced in her previous two pregnancies.
Her final royal duty before going on maternity leave was a visit to the Olympic Park for a SportAid event on 22 March.
Additional reporting by Rebecca Perring and Alice Scarsi.
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