PRINCE William and Kate introduced the new Prince of Cambridge to the world - as Wills joked having three kids was “Thrice worry now!”
The 8lb 7oz Prince arrived yesterday with the perfect patriotic credentials — born on St George’s Day and Shakespeare’s birthday.
He greeted the world cradled in the arms of his mum, who proudly wore the red and white of England’s patron saint. The royal baby shares his birthday with the bard.
The proud parents beamed as they introduced their second son to the world, with Prince William gesturing to cameras with three fingers up, joking: "We are very happy, very delighted — thrice the worry now! We didn't keep you waiting too long this time."
He also revealed big brother George, four, and sister Charlotte, two, were “very happy . . . delighted” with their new baby brother.
Despite the five-and-a-half hours of labour — longer than Charlotte’s two-and-a-half hours — Kate looked amazing on the steps of the Lindo Wing seven hours later.
Wearing a red bespoke Jenny Packham dress, Gianvito Rossi nude heels and earrings loaned by the Queen, she smiled warmly as she carried her new son.
The vibrant red dress was seen as a nod to Princess Diana, with Kate beaming as she cradled her newborn and waved to cheering crowds.
The little Prince was wrapped up against the chilly wind, in a new bonnet and a £70 Nottingham lace shawl gifted from GH Hurt & Son, who also provided George and Charlotte’s shawls.
Asked about the potential name of their son, Wills replied: "You will find out sooner or later." Bookies have made Albert, Arthur, Jack and Fred the favoured names.
The royal family are said to be thrilled with the news of the birth, with the Queen having been informed of the arrival of the fifth-in-line to the throne first.
And big brother and sister Prince George, four, and Princess Charlotte, two, were some of the first to meet their new brother, with the pair clasping their dad's hands as they walked into the hospital yesterday afternoon.
Most read in news
Beaming dad Prince William had dashed off to pick up his two eldest children several hours after Kate gave birth at the £10,000-a-night maternity ward.
Little Charlotte appeared to be particularly excited and waved at the waiting press, while big brother George seemed slightly more wary of the world's media.
Today, Prince Charles gushed over the birth of his latest grandson, saying in a statement: "We are both so pleased at the news. It is a great joy to have another grandchild, the only trouble is I don't know how I am going to keep up with them."
The world was yesterday left with bated breath when it was announced that Kate had gone into labour yesterday morning, with the media spotlight immediately turned to St Mary's Hospital.
The wait didn't last for long though, with a proud announcement made about five hours later.
In a statement, Kensington Palace said: "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 1101hrs.
"The baby weighs 8lbs 7oz.
Sun Bets odds - What will the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge name their third child
- Albert
- Arthur -
- Alexander -
- James -
- Philip -
- Louis -
- Thomas -
- Henry -
- Alfred-
- Richard -
- Edward -
- For the full list of names
"The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well."
They added: "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 yesterday celebrated the birth of her latest great-grandchild with a horse ride at Windsor Castle.
It's the first time in history that a boy will not precede his older sister in the line of succession, with Princess Charlotte remaining fourth, behind brother George but in front of her new male sibling.
Royal fans were left ecstatic after the happy news was shared - with many having been camped outside the hospital for weeks.
Messages of congratulations were also quick to flow in from across the world, with Prime Minister Theresa May tweeting: "My warmest congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby boy.
"I wish them great happiness for the future."
Present at the new baby’s birth were the Queen’s surgeons Guy Thorpe-Beeston and Alan Farthing, Dr Sunit Godambe, consultant neonatologist at Imperial College and the Queen’s physician Professor Huw Thomas.
The town-crier also declared the happy news, wearing the traditional outfit as he shared the announcement outside the Lindo wing.
A large Union flag was also raised over Buckingham Palace, while a State Standard was raised over Windsor Castle to celebrate the birth of the baby boy.
Other messages of support even came from the Royal Navy, proudly spelling out BOY! on board the HMS Albion.
Celebrities have also been posting messages of congratulations.
Liam Payne wrote on Twitter: "Congratulations to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge Kate and the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William on the birth of their baby boy! #RoyalBaby".
Well-wishes also came from Parliament, with Speaker John Bercow telling the Commons: "I am sure the whole House would want to join me in sending Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, our warmest congratulations on the birth of their son."
READ MORE: Our coverage of the baby boy's arrival
- Holly Willoughby today used a 'psychic banana' to correctly predict Kate Middleton would give birth to a baby boy
- Another couple who welcomed a newborn today found themselves snapped by the world's media on the steps of the Lindo Wing
- Now that we know the tot is a boy - what will his name be?
- Princess Charlotte has made history as the first royal female to retain her claim to the throne
- The new baby was born at 11.01am - find out all the details from the birth
- Eager fans have camped outside the hospital for days in the hopes they will catch a glimpse of the baby
- We took a look inside the Lindo Wing, where Kate has given birth to all three of her children
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson added: "I'd very much like to associate the Government with your comments and warm wishes."
Kate's two previous births have been fairly quick affairs - Kate had George less than 11 hours after arriving at hospital on July 22, 2013.
Charlotte was born just two hours and 34 minutes after mum was admitted on May 2, 2015.
But whichever name proud William and Kate choose, the new arrival will be given an extremely formal title either way - becoming known as His Royal Highness Prince (Name) of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
While the Queen has four children, the Duke of Cambridge is the first future king to have a third for more than 120 years.
The Duchess of Cambridge has managed to battle through a number of public engagements this year, despite suffering from another bout of severe morning sickness.
Hyperemesis gravidarum, which causes severe vomiting, can lead to dehydration, weight loss and a build-up of toxins in the blood or urine called ketosis.
During her pregnancy, she had to miss Prince George's first day at school as she was too poorly to attend.
But she later improved, making a surprise appearance at Paddington station in October, joining William and Harry at a charity event, where she danced on the platform with Paddington Bear.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.